Just when you thought Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie might be lost in development hell forever, Lucasfilm drops an update—Poor Things and The Favourite writer Tony McNamara is penning the script.
But before you cheer (or panic), remember: McNamara's résumé is a rollercoaster. On one track, you've got the razor-sharp wit of Yorgos Lanthimos' dark comedies. On the other? The messy, glitter-coated chaos of Cruella.
“Taika Is on Taika Time” – And Lucasfilm Is Patient
At Star Wars Celebration 2025, Kathleen Kennedy doubled down on Waititi's vision, insisting the film will happen—when he's ready. “Taika is on Taika time,” she told Screen Rant, sounding more like a Zen master than a studio exec. “When you can fully commit, we're on board.”
Translation: Lucasfilm isn't rushing him. But should they?
Waititi himself teased last year that his take would “piss people off”—which, in Star Wars fandom, could mean anything from reinventing lightsabers as spoons to making Jar Jar the Chosen One.
McNamara's Track Record: Genius or Gamble?
Here's the rub: McNamara's writing swings between brilliant and baffling.
- The Good: The Favourite (Oscar-nominated), Poor Things (weird, wonderful).
- The Less Good: Cruella (stylish but shallow), The Roses (forgotten).
Pair that with Waititi's irreverence, and this Star Wars film could either be a masterpiece—or a glorious trainwreck.
Why This Feels Like a Repeat of Rian Johnson
Remember when The Last Jedi split the fandom like a lightsaber through butter? Waititi's film risks the same polarizing fate. Kennedy's faith in bold voices is admirable, but Lucasfilm's track record with director-driven projects (Solo, Rogue One reshoots) suggests turbulence ahead.
