Why Taika Waititi’s Comments on ‘Star Wars’ Should Concern Fans

Director Taika WaititiThe “Star Wars” film was first announced in 2020, but there has been very little progress on the film so far. Now that Kathleen Kennedyofficially leaves his role in Lucasfilm, fans are hoping that some projects that have been shelved, like the new Marguerite Ridley The Rey movie might finally see some progress. However, one comment from the director stands out from the rest and understandably has fans worried.

Taika Waititi’s Favorite Star Wars Villains Comments Give Fans Pause

When asked to name his favorite movie villain of all time, Waititi went straight to the “Star Wars” franchise and named Darth Vader as his favorite villain. It’s not difficult to understand why. With his menacing mask, raspy half-robotic voice, and red lightsaber, he certainly resembles the classic Disney villain, even though George Lucas created the character decades before selling Lucasfilm to the House of Mouse.

Waititi agrees that Darth Vader certainly evokes a childhood fear, saying, “He exploits a child’s greatest nightmare or greatest fear, which [is] that your parents will turn against you and that you will not be able to bring them back”, according to Variety.

“‘Body Snatchers’ is like that too. So are zombies,” he continued. “They’re great villains as a collective because it’s the idea of ​​the people you love who won’t recognize you and want to eat your brains.”

The problem with his comments

There is a major problem with his comment that Darth Vader is a “relative” who will “turn on you.” Darth Vader was the father of Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker, however, neither of them knew he was their father until much later in the original trilogy. Luke was raised by Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru on Tattooine and Leia was raised by Senator Bail Organa and his wife, Queen Breha Organa, of Alderaan.

The reveal that Darth Vader is Luke’s father is a pretty pivotal scene from 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back,” the second film in the original trilogy. The film has made its way into pop culture. Although some fans initially thought this was a lie, it was later confirmed by Yoda in 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.” The film also features a scene where Luke tells Leia that they are siblings and that Darth Vader is actually their father.

Taika Waititi also forgot that Natalie Portman was in ‘Star Wars’

While this can be dismissed as a minor slip of the tongue, it’s worth remembering that Waititi actually forgot this. Natalie Portman was Padmé Amidala in “Star Wars.” His role was quite crucial and is not easily forgotten. She was queen and then senator of Naboo, in addition to being the mother of Luke and Leia.

While working on “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which he co-wrote and directed, he told the rolling stone that he actually forgot Portman was in “Star Wars” when he asked her what projects she had coming up.

“She said to me, ‘What do you do next?’ I said, “Oh, I’m trying to work on a Star Wars thing. Have you ever wanted to be in a Star Wars movie?'”

She said: “I’ve been in a Star Wars movie,'” Waititi continued. “And I was like ‘…should we do another take?'”

Bringing the “fun” back to “Star Wars”

Although little has been revealed about the subject of his film, Variety reported that he plans to bring the “fun” back to a galaxy far, far away.

“I’m just trying to go back and mine a little more of the fun of the original films, that’s what I remember. [from] them,” he told the Sundance publication.

“The stakes are very high, there are serious things happening, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had in these films. That’s what I was trying to bring back,” he continued. “I was trying to work in a world that was a little bit separate from this one because there was so much going on in that space. For me to do something there, it would have to be a little bit different and a little cleaner.”

During his exit interview, Kennedy said Deadline that Waititi “directed a script that I find hilarious and brilliant, but went on to say, ‘It’s not just my decision, especially when I have one foot out.’

Will Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Movie Ever Be Made?

It’s hard to say whether Waititi’s “Star Wars” script will ever see the light of day, or whether it will be tossed into the same Sarlacc pit that “The Hunt for Ben Solo” was tossed into.

At least fans can look forward to “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” which is scheduled for release on May 22, 2026, and “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth and Matt Smith.