Taika Waititi’sStar Warsmovie just suffered yet another setback. Back in May 2020, excited viewers learned thatThor: Ragnarokfilmmaker Taika Waititi was signed up to join theStar Warsgalaxy. Since then, though,the whole project seems to have gotten stuck in Development Hell.

“Taika is on Taika time,” Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy quipped at this year’s Star Wars Celebration. Even Kennedy seemed to acknowledge that it’s looking unlikely, though; “I’m just hoping we can get there,” she added,showing more affection than exasperation at the five-year delay. Sadly, that delay looks set to continue.

Taika Waititi at the LA premiere of Thor Love and Thunder

Taika Waititi’s Judge Dredd Movie Means His Star Wars Film Is Pushed Back (Again)

Taika Waititi is now signed up for the upcomingJudge Dreddmovie, written byFall GuyandMission: Impossible - Rogue Nationscribe Drew Pearce. Apparently inspired by the comics (amusing given Waititi’s occasional condescension towards that medium),the hope is that this will sire a new franchise.

Whether this is the case or not, the simple fact is clear; Waititi is once again going to be busy for quite some time, making yet another movie before he gets around toStar Wars. The idiosyncratic filmmaker doesn’t seem to consider Lucasfilm the top priority, instead taking on other jobs, meaningStar Warsis still delayed.

Headshot Of Taika Waititi In The Berlin premiere of ‘Next Goal Wins’

I Totally Don’t Think This Star Wars Movie’s Going To Happen

Let’s face it, the signs don’t auger well for Waititi’sStar Warsmovie. It’s been five years now, and the movie keeps getting pushed back down his to-do list - which means that realistically it was only ever a hypothetical.Rian Johnson’s recent update on hisStar Warstrilogyfollows the same pattern;these were only ever hypothetical, rather than solid pitches.

Waititi’sStar Warsmovie seems even more unlikely given Kathleen Kennedy herself is expected to move on soon.Star Warsis entering a bold new era, producing one movie at a time, only announcing things when they’re a lot more solid. Next year’sThe Mandalorian & Groguwill see the franchise return to the big screen at last.

Sadly, I simply can’t see any way Waititi’s project will fit in with the studio’s current direction. There’s nothing there, and there’s no real prospect of the filmmaker setting the time aside to make it a reality anytime soon. SoTaika Waititi’sStar Warsmovie really does look like one that can be added to the list of “what ifs?”