Prefer Jewish News on Google
Taika Waititi to write and direct new Star Wars film
New Zealand-born filmmaker who won an Oscar for Jojo Rabbit was announced as heading the next epic on Star Wars Day
Taika Waititi will write and direct a new Star Wars film, it has been announced.
The Jojo Rabbit director, who won an Oscar for adapting the screenplay of the anti-hate satire, will pen the script with 1917 co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns.
Waititi, whose mother is Jewish, often goes by his mother’s surname, Cohen. He also directed Thor: Ragnarok, is no stranger to a galaxy far, far away and recently directed the final episode of the first series of The Mandalorian on streaming service Disney+.
The news was announced on May 4, known to fans as Star Wars Day because of its similarity to the popular saying “May the force be with you”.
It was also announced that Russian Doll showrunner Leslye Headland is developing a new untitled Star Wars series for Disney+.
She will write, executive produce, and serve as showrunner for the series, which will join the catalogue of Star Wars spin-off on the platform, including The Mandalorian, another based on Cassian Andor’s life prior to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and another following the adventures of Obi-Wan Kenobi between Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: A New Hope.
Release dates for both projects have not yet been announced.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
