Taika Waititi Confirms His ‘Star Wars’ Movie Has Been Put ‘on Ice’ Indefinitely
Taika Waititi has confirmed that his Star Wars film, in development since 2020, has been put on hold indefinitely. He said he and the team are working on something else, though he left open the possibility that the project could return, saying “ice ages do come to an end”.
Waititi had previously said he wanted the film to bring back some of the fun he remembered from the original films while telling a story distinct from other Star Wars projects. Former Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy had described it as “still somewhat alive”. Waititi made the announcement while promoting his latest film, Klara and the Sun, which has received mixed reviews.
- Waititi says his Star Wars film is on ice.
- The project has been in development since 2020.
- He has left open the possibility of revisiting it.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Putting the film on hold can be seen as a sensible way to focus Lucasfilm’s time and resources on projects that are ready to move forward, while allowing Waititi and his team to develop other work. An indefinite pause also leaves open the possibility of returning if a strong, distinctive story emerges, rather than committing to a release for its own sake.
The case against
Leaving the film in limbo may disappoint audiences who welcomed Waititi’s aim to bring a fresh kind of fun to Star Wars, and it offers no clarity about whether the project will ever be made. A long-running development process followed by an indefinite pause can also suggest that the studio has struggled to turn an appealing idea into a workable film.