A new Star Wars movie, helmed by Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi, might be looking at an earlier release date than previously thought.
The Hollywood Reporter recently reported Waititi's Star Wars film might arrive in theaters sooner than previously reported. Citing multiple source, the report suggests the project is currently eyeing an early 2023 release.
Although there aren't too many details on Waititi's Star Wars just yet, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy previously revealed the film is set to be released before Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron. In May, Kennedy also said Lucasfilm was looking at a tentative late 2023 release for Waititi's Star Wars. Beyond that, details concerning the upcoming project are scarce. Waititi is currently developing the film with Last Night in Soho writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, who is attached to co-write the screenplay.
Waititi's Star Wars Experience
Although the new Star Wars is now a couple of years in the making, Waititi never thought he'd be involved in the franchise. Back in 2017, during the press tour for Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi was asked if he would ever direct a Star Wars film, to which he responded: "I like to complete my films. I'd be fired within a week." This coment came on the heels of Phil Lord and Chris Miller being fired from Solo: A Star Wars Story and Colin Trevorrow being fired from what would become The Rise of Skywalker.
Following the success of Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi was tapped to join the first season of Disney+'s Star Wars series The Mandalorian in 2018. On top of appearing in the first season as IG-11, Waititi also directed the final episode, "Chapter 8: Redemption." He recently confirmed he is now returning for The Mandalorian Season 3.
As far as Waititi's Star Wars film goes, he's looking to make the universe even bigger. "I think for the Star Wars universe to expand," he said, "it has to expand. I don't think that I'm any use in the Star Wars universe making a film where everyone's like, 'Oh great, well that's the blueprints to the Millennium Falcon, ah, that's Chewbacca's grandmother.' That all stands alone, that's great, though I would like to takke something new and create some new characters and just expand the world, otherwise it feels like it's a very small story."
Source: The Hollywood Reporter