The cinematic universe of Star Wars, known for its sweeping space operas and deeply ingrained mythology, is perpetually in a state of expansion and re-invention. Among the most anticipated, yet consistently mysterious, of the announced future film projects is the untitled Star Wars movie being helmed by director and writer Taika Waititi. Waititi, who is widely celebrated for his unique blend of off-kilter comedy, heartfelt character work, and visual flair evident in films like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, promises a vision for the galaxy far, far away that is decidedly “fresh, unexpected, and unique,” as Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy once stated. However, since the initial announcement in 2020, the project has been characterized by a slow, deliberate development pace, with much of its creative direction and timeline still shrouded in the typical secrecy that surrounds major Star Wars features. This article will provide an in-depth, step-by-step guide to the verifiable, factual information regarding the development status, creative team, and potential direction of Taika Waititi’s Star Wars film, meticulously avoiding all unverified speculation.

The Genesis of the Project: Announcement and Early Development

The official confirmation of Taika Waititi’s involvement with a new Star Wars theatrical feature came on May 4, 2020, an annual date recognized by fans as “Star Wars Day.” Lucasfilm’s announcement confirmed that Waititi would both direct and co-write the as-yet-untitled film. This was not his first foray into the franchise; Waititi had previously received acclaim from fans and critics alike for directing the season one finale of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian and also providing the voice for the fan-favorite bounty hunter droid, IG-11, in the same series. His prior experience with the brand, coupled with his reputation for injecting humor and unexpected emotional depth into major franchises (as seen with his work on Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok), immediately positioned the project as one of the most exciting potential directions for the film series post-Skywalker Saga.

The initial co-writer announced alongside Waititi was Krysty Wilson-Cairns, an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter known for her work on the critically lauded film 1917 and Last Night in Soho. This pairing suggested an initial intent to marry Waititi’s distinctive comedic voice with a writer experienced in crafting taut, high-stakes narratives, indicating a potential blend of tones. The collaboration, however, was later reported to have evolved. For a period, it was indicated that Waititi was working on the script largely on his own, which some reports suggested may have contributed to the extended development timeline.

Understanding the Development Pace and Lucasfilm’s Stance

Unlike the steady output of Star Wars streaming television series, the theatrical film slate at Lucasfilm has experienced significant flux and delays in the years following the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga with Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. The progress of Waititi’s film has mirrored this broader trend, often being described as slow-moving due to the director’s incredibly busy schedule, which has included projects like the film Next Goal Wins and the series Our Flag Means Death and Time Bandits, in addition to his creative and acting commitments. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has provided multiple updates over the years, consistently expressing unwavering enthusiasm for Waititi’s vision, even while acknowledging the project’s developmental status. Kennedy’s commentary has frequently indicated that the studio is willing to wait for the director to finalize his commitment and script, which she described as being on “Taika time.”

In February of 2025, Kennedy confirmed publicly that the studio had still not received a completed, final script for the film, stating that securing the full commitment from the filmmaker was “tricky” given his commitments, though she did indicate having seen a promising “first act” that she loved. This perspective underscores a key verifiable fact: the film is highly desired by the studio and is officially “In Development,” but its timeline is heavily contingent on the finalization of the screenplay. As of the latest reports, there are no confirmed cast members, no final title, and no definitive plot details that have been officially announced or verified by Lucasfilm.

Key Creative Personnel and Confirmed Details

The most important recent verified development regarding the project came in the first half of 2025 with the revelation of a new co-writer for the screenplay. This step appears to be a concerted effort to accelerate the script’s completion by partnering Waititi with another acclaimed writer, which is a common practice in large-scale film development to ensure that a project can move forward despite the director’s demanding schedule.

The Co-Writing Partnership with Tony McNamara

In a significant update, Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy officially confirmed that Oscar-nominated screenwriter Tony McNamara had been brought on as the new co-writer for the film alongside Taika Waititi. McNamara is best known for his sharp, darkly comedic, and often anachronistic writing style showcased in the films Poor Things (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award) and The Favourite, as well as the Hulu series The Great. McNamara also has a history with Disney-owned properties, having penned the screenplay for the prequel film Cruella. This new partnership with a writer whose style is complementary to Waititi’s suggests a strong commitment to maintaining the unique, comedic, and perhaps irreverent tone that has been hinted at for the movie. The collaboration aims to capitalize on both Waititi’s directorial perspective and McNamara’s recognized ability to craft witty, character-driven narratives, which could bring a distinctive flavor to the Star Wars galaxy.

Factual Confirmed Creative Team:

• Director: Taika Waititi. His involvement was confirmed in May 2020. Waititi’s signature style of integrating comedy with poignant themes is expected to differentiate this Star Wars entry from previous ones.The director is also known for his performance in The Mandalorian as the voice of IG-11, and he has a prior Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on Jojo Rabbit.
• Co-Writers: Taika Waititi and Tony McNamara. McNamara’s addition was confirmed in 2025, replacing the previously announced Krysty Wilson-Cairns. This collaboration is the current core creative partnership driving the story development.McNamara is an accomplished playwright and screenwriter whose work is known for its distinctive voice and satirical edge, suggesting the Star Wars film will likely break from traditional narrative molds.
• Producer: Kathleen Kennedy. As the President of Lucasfilm, Kennedy is the primary producer across all major Star Wars cinematic and television projects, overseeing the film’s development from the studio side.Her repeated, positive comments about Waititi’s potential script and unique vision confirm the studio’s full support for the project’s unconventional direction.
• Initial Co-Writer (No Longer Attached): Krysty Wilson-Cairns. She was the initial co-writer announced in 2020 but was later reported to have departed the project, a common occurrence in the protracted development of high-budget franchise films.Her initial involvement helped set a high bar for the project’s writing talent, even as the creative team has shifted.
• Status: In Development. The project has not yet been given an official production start date, nor has it progressed to the casting or pre-production stages, remaining firmly in the screenwriting phase as of the most recent public updates.Its continued presence on Lucasfilm’s future slate, despite the delays, signifies the studio’s strong intent to eventually bring the film to fruition.

Unconfirmed, Yet Pervasive, Plot and Timeline Theories

While Lucasfilm has officially kept all plot details under strict wraps, the immense interest in the project has led to several theories and unverified reports regarding where in the vast Star Wars timeline Waititi’s film might be set. It is essential to stress that these remain unconfirmed and unverified theories based on educated speculation and visual cues from past Lucasfilm announcements, not on confirmed studio facts. However, understanding the basis of these theories helps contextualize the film’s potential impact on the Star Wars canon.

Theories on the Film’s Timeline Setting:

1. The Dawn of the Jedi/Deep Past Era: This is arguably the most frequently discussed and compelling unverified theory. It is rooted in a visual clue from a past Lucasfilm presentation, where a pyramidal object—resembling the “Tho Yor” pyramidal ships from the Dawn of the Jedi “Legends” (non-canon) comic book series—was seen behind Kathleen Kennedy.This era, set approximately 25,000 years before the events of the Skywalker Saga, explores the very first Force-users and the origins of the Jedi Order, making it an entirely fresh and unexplored part of the timeline for a theatrical film. A story in this era would allow Waititi maximum creative freedom, as it is completely disconnected from established characters like Luke Skywalker, Rey, or The Mandalorian.
2. A New Era Post-Skywalker Saga: Another theory suggests the film will take place after The Rise of Skywalker, moving the Star Wars narrative forward into a wholly new epoch.This placement would align Waititi’s film with other planned projects that are also looking to expand the chronology beyond the nine core “Episode” films, such as the announced film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which is set to feature Daisy Ridley returning as Rey as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order.
3. An Untouched Corner of the Current Timeline: A less-specific theory is that the film will be a standalone story set within the established “Skywalker Saga” period (Prequels, Original, or Sequels) but focusing on entirely new characters and planets, similar to the approach taken by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story or Solo: A Star Wars Story.This would allow for the inclusion of familiar Star Wars iconography while still telling an independent story, but it is considered less likely given the repeated statements about Waititi bringing a “new future era” to the theatrical slate.

Real verified information cannot be provided at this time due to a lack of authoritative sources detailing the specific plot, cast, or definitive timeline placement of Taika Waititi’s Star Wars film.

The Future of Taika Waititi’s Star Wars Film: Timeline and Expectations

The question of when audiences will actually see Taika Waititi’s unique take on the Star Wars galaxy remains the single biggest point of uncertainty. The project is currently positioned within a competitive and evolving slate of future Star Wars films, many of which also lack definitive release dates but have varying degrees of production progress. The one verifiable certainty is that the film will not be the next Star Wars feature released, as that honor belongs to Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is currently scheduled for May 22, 2026. Another feature, Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, has also claimed a release date of May 28, 2027.

Step-by-Step Path to Production (Based on Industry Standards and Confirmed Studio Statements):

Step 1: Final Script Delivery and Studio Greenlight

The project’s current and most crucial stage is the completion and formal delivery of a final, approved script from co-writers Taika Waititi and Tony McNamara. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s most recent updates indicate that this step has not yet been achieved. Once the script is delivered and satisfies all creative and budgetary requirements, the studio will officially greenlight the film, locking in the next steps and signaling a tangible movement towards production. This step is a prerequisite for all subsequent stages.

Step 2: Pre-Production and Key Casting

Upon receiving a greenlight, the film would move into the pre-production phase. This intensive stage typically involves: finalization of the budget, selection of key creative personnel (Director of Photography, Production Designer, Costume Designer), extensive concept art development, storyboard completion, and most importantly, the start of casting. Because the plot and timeline are so secretive, it is widely expected that Waititi’s film will feature an entirely new cast of primary characters, though this is not a verified fact. The casting process for major roles would be a clear and verifiable public sign that the project is moving forward.

The length of this phase is variable but is often extended for a large-scale science fiction film due to the complexity of world-building, which must be established from the ground up if the film is set in a new era of the Star Wars timeline.

Step 3: Principal Photography and Post-Production

The most public and verifiable step of any film is the start of principal photography, or main shooting. While a film set in the Star Wars universe often relies heavily on virtual production technology like “The Volume,” the initial news of filming dates and locations would certainly be confirmed by reliable industry sources. Following this, the film would enter a lengthy post-production phase, which includes editing, visual effects (VFX) work—which is exceptionally time-consuming for a Star Wars movie—and sound mixing. This phase alone can often take between 12 to 18 months or more for a modern blockbuster.

In the current competitive environment for Star Wars films, Waititi’s project is generally listed as “In Development” with a release date of TBA (To Be Announced). It was once rumored to be vying for a late 2025 release slot, but as of the present date, it has been surpassed by other projects and is not expected to arrive until at least late 2027 or, more likely, 2028 or beyond, contingent entirely on the completion of the script and the director’s availability.

Creative Context: The Waititi Factor in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Taika Waititi’s established filmography provides the only concrete indicator of the tone and style that fans can expect from his eventual Star Wars film. His work is characterized by several consistent elements that, if applied to the Star Wars universe, would indeed create the “fresh, unexpected” approach Lucasfilm desires.

Defining Elements of Waititi’s Film Style:

• Unique, Dry Humor: Waititi’s films, from What We Do in the Shadows to Thor: Ragnarok, feature an instantly recognizable brand of dry, often improvised, and highly self-aware humor.This comedic sensibility would represent a significant departure from the typically more sincere, albeit occasionally witty, tone of the main Star Wars saga films, potentially bringing a much-needed injection of levity.
• Focus on Outsiders and Underdogs: His narratives frequently center on marginalized or unusual characters who are trying to find their place in the world, such as the vampire roommates in What We Do in the Shadows or the young boy with an imaginary friend in Jojo Rabbit.A Star Wars story in this vein might focus on characters far removed from the Jedi, Sith, or major galactic conflicts, offering a ground-level view of the galaxy.
• Strong Visual Aesthetic: Waititi is known for vibrant, colorful, and often retro-inspired visual designs, which was a hallmark of his work on the Thor franchise.This could mean a Star Wars film that moves away from the dusty browns and grays of the Original Trilogy and into a more diverse and stylized palette of new worlds.
• Heart and Emotional Core: Despite the humor, his best-regarded films always maintain a deep emotional core and sincerity, particularly concerning themes of family, belonging, and confronting trauma.This balance suggests that while the film may be funny, it will retain the emotional stakes that are fundamental to the Star Wars identity.

Waititi’s involvement, therefore, represents Lucasfilm’s clear intent to introduce significant tonal and stylistic variety into the theatrical Star Wars slate, moving beyond the safe, interconnected storytelling seen in the New Republic-era Disney+ shows and toward a distinctive, auteur-driven vision for the future of the franchise.

Conclusion

Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars film is one of the most high-profile and patiently awaited projects in Lucasfilm’s development pipeline. Confirmed factual information establishes that the Oscar-winning director of Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit is set to direct and co-write the feature, a partnership that was recently updated to include acclaimed screenwriter Tony McNamara.

This collaboration confirms the studio’s desire for a film with a uniquely comedic and fresh tone, distinct from the traditional saga. However, all verifiable, up-to-date information confirms that the project remains firmly in the screenwriting phase, with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy publicly stating that the studio has not yet received a finished script. Consequently, there are no confirmed details regarding the cast, definitive plot, title, or release date, which places the film’s theatrical debut as being potentially several years away, likely post-2027. The project’s eventual greenlight is entirely contingent on the script’s completion, signifying Lucasfilm’s commitment to prioritizing Waititi’s unique creative vision over a rushed timeline.