Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi | |
---|---|
![]() Waititi at the 2019San Diego Comic-Con | |
Born | Taika David Cohen 16 August 1975 Wellington,New Zealand |
Education | Victoria University of Wellington(BA) |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1999–present |
Works | Filmography |
Spouses | |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Full list |
Signature | |
![]() |
Taika David CohenONZM(born 16 August 1975), known professionally asTaika Waititi(/ˈtaɪkəˈwaɪtɪti/TY-kəWY-tit-ee),[1]is a New Zealand filmmaker, actor and comedian. He is known for directing quirky comedy films and has expanded his career as a voice actor and producer on numerous projects. He has received numerous accolades including anAcademy Award,aBAFTA Awardand aGrammy Award,as well as two nominations for thePrimetime Emmy Award.Timemagazine named him one of the100 most influential people in the worldin 2022.
His feature filmsBoy(2010) andHunt for the Wilderpeople(2016) have each been the top-grossing New Zealand film.[2][3] Waititi's 2003 short filmTwo Cars, One Nightearned him an Academy Award nomination forBest Live Action Short Film.He co-wrote, co-directed and starred in thehorror comedyfilmWhat We Do in the Shadows(2014) withJemaine Clement,which was adapted into atelevision series of the same namein 2019. The series has been nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
His directing credits include the superhero filmsThor: Ragnarok(2017) andThor: Love and Thunder(2022) as well as theblack comedyfilmJojo Rabbit(2019), the last of which he also wrote and starred in as an imaginary version ofAdolf Hitler.Jojo Rabbitreceived six Academy Award nominations and wonBest Adapted Screenplay.Waititi also earned a Grammy Award for producing thefilm's soundtrack.
In television, Waititi co-created and produced thedramedyseriesReservation Dogs,and directed, produced, and starred in the comedyOur Flag Means Death.In addition to directingan episodeof the seriesThe Mandalorian,he also voiced the characterIG-11,for which he was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance.
Early life
[edit]Taika David Cohen[4][5][6]was born on 16 August 1975 inWellington,[7]and grew up in Wellington'sAro Valleysuburb andRaukokore,a small town in theBay of Plenty.[8][9]
His father was an artist ofTe Whānau-ā-Apanuidescent, while his mother, Robin Cohen,[10]was a schoolteacher of multiple ethnicities.[11]His mother's paternal grandfather was aRussian Jewwhose family came fromNovozybkov, Russia.[7]Waititi stated that his mother's family were Russian Jewish, Irish, and other European ethnicities, while his father's side was "Māoriand a little bit ofFrench Canadian".[12]His paternal grandfather, also named Taika, served as aMāori Battalionsoldier during World War II.[13]
Identifying as both Māori and Jewish, Waititi describes himself as a "Polynesian Jew".[14][15]He was raised more connected to his Māori roots, in a household where Judaism was not actively practised[13]and identifies as an atheist who "puts more stock inindigenous beliefs."[16]
Waititi's parents divorced when he was around five,[17]and he was raised primarily by his mother.[8]He attendedOnslow College,[18]then studied theatre atVictoria University of Wellingtonwhere he graduated with aBachelor of Artsin 1997.[19]
Although his surname is legallyCohen,Waititi has been known primarily by his father's surname for most of his life.[5][6]He originally used his mother's surname, Cohen, for his work in film and writing, and his father's, Waititi, for visual arts endeavours.[4][20]Following the success of his first short film, he continued to use Waititi professionally.[21]
Career
[edit]1999–2011: Early career and film debut
[edit]While a student atVictoria University of Wellington,Waititi was part of the five-member comedy ensembleSo You're a Man,which toured New Zealand and Australia with some success.[22]
He was half of the comedy duo "The Humourbeasts" alongsideJemaine Clement,which received New Zealand's highest comedy accolade, theBilly T Award,in 1999.[23]Among a variety of artistic interests, Waititi began making comical short films for New Zealand's annual48Hoursfilm contest.[24]He directed the short filmTwo Cars, One Night(2003) which involves two young boys and a girl meeting in the carpark of a rural pub inTe Kaha,New Zealand. The short earned acclaim and aAcademy Award for Best Live Action Shortnomination in 2005.[25]He lost the award toAndrea Arnoldwho directed the shortWasp(2003).
His first feature film, a romantic comedy calledEagle vs Shark,was released in U.S. theatres for limited distribution in 2007.[26]Waititi co-wrote the film withLoren Horsley.[27]That year, Waititi wrote and directed one episode of the TV showFlight of the Conchordsand directed another.[28]In 2010, he acted in the New Zealand TV3 improv sketch comedy showRadiradirah,together with frequent collaboratorsRhys DarbyandJemaine Clement.[29]His second feature,Boy,premiered at theSundance Film Festivalin January 2010,[30]and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. Waititi also took one of the main roles, as the ex-con father who returns to his family. On its release in New Zealand,Boyreceived enthusiastic reviews[31]and was successful at the local box office, eclipsing several records.[32]
In 2011, Waititi directed New Zealand TV seriesSuper CitystarringMadeleine Sami,who plays five characters living in one city.[33]That year, Waititi portrayedThomas Kalmakuin the superhero filmGreen Lantern.[34]
2013–2019: Career breakthrough and expansion
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Taika_Waititi_at_Sundance_2015.jpg/220px-Taika_Waititi_at_Sundance_2015.jpg)
What We Do in the Shadows(2013)
In 2013, Waititi co-wrote, co-directed and acted in the vampire comedymockumentaryWhat We Do in the Shadowswith Clement.[35]It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2014.[36]Waititi and Clement played members of a group of vampires who live in an appropriately gothic house in modern-day Wellington.[37]A television adaptation of the film was commissioned in May 2018, with Waititi as an executive producer and director.[38]Theseries of the same namepremiered onFXin March 2019;[39]its second season received aPrimetime Emmy Awardnomination forOutstanding Comedy Series.[40]
Hunt for the Wilderpeople(2016)
Waititi's fourth feature,Hunt for the Wilderpeople,premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.[41]When it was released in New Zealand, the comedy adventure broke Waititi's record for a New Zealand film in its opening weekend.[42]Based on a book byBarry Crump,it centres on a young boy (played byJulian Dennison) and a grumpy man (played bySam Neill) on the run in the forest. Waititi wrote the initial screenplay for the 2016 Disney filmMoana,[43]which focused on gender and family. Those elements were passed over in favour of what became the final story.[44][45]
Marvel films
In 2017, Waititi won the award forNew Zealander of the Year,but was unable to receive it in person due to work commitments.[46]That year, he directed his first major studio film,Marvel Studios'sThor: Ragnarok,which was released in October.[47][48]He also portrayed the alienKorgvia motion capture in the film.[49]He had previously directed a short film series for Marvel calledTeam Thor,chronicling the lives of Thor and his roommate, Darryl Jacobson.[50]Thor: Ragnarokearned critical praise and was successful at the box office.[51][52]Waititi was later consulted byChristopher Markus and Stephen McFeelyon Thor's storylines forAvengers: Infinity War,to maintain the character's consistency in theMarvel Cinematic Universe.[53][54]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Taika_Waititi_%26_Chris_Hemsworth_%2835409384444%29.jpg/220px-Taika_Waititi_%26_Chris_Hemsworth_%2835409384444%29.jpg)
Jojo Rabbit(2019)
In 2019, Waititi wrote and directedJojo Rabbit,based on the bookCaging SkiesbyChristine Leunens,the 1940s-set story of a child in the Hitler Youth whose mother is secretly hiding a Jewish girl in their home. Waititi plays a buffoonish version ofAdolf Hitleras the boy's imaginary friend.[55]Waititi received Academy Award nominations forBest PictureandBest Adapted Screenplay.He won the latter,[56][57]making him the first person of Māori descent to win an Academy Award in a screenplay category, and the firstindigenous personto be nominated for and win Best Adapted Screenplay.[58]In 2021 he won theGrammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Mediaas a producer of theJojo Rabbitsoundtrack.[59]
The Mandalorian
In October 2018,Lucasfilmannounced that Waititi would be one of the directors of theStar Warslive-action streaming seriesThe Mandalorian,which tells the story of a lone Mandalorian gunfighter in the period between the events ofReturn of the JediandThe Force Awakens.[60]The series premiered on 12 November 2019; Waititi also voices a droid bounty hunter namedIG-11in the series.[61]He directed the series' first-season finale, "Chapter 8: Redemption".[62]His voiceover work earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination forOutstanding Character Voice-Over Performancein 2020.[40]
2020–present
[edit]In 2020, Waititi narrated a charity reading ofJames and the Giant PeachbyRoald Dahl.[63]He portrayedRatcatcherin the DC superhero filmThe Suicide Squad,released in August 2021 to positive reviews.[64][65]Also in August, Waititi portrayed Antwan Hovachelik, the antagonist of the action comedy filmFree Guy.[66]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Jojo_Rabbit_12_%2848810049288%29.jpg/170px-Jojo_Rabbit_12_%2848810049288%29.jpg)
WithSterlin Harjo,Waititi co-created the comedy seriesReservation Dogs,which chronicles the lives of a group of indigenous Oklahoma teens, and comprises a main cast, directors, producers, and writers of indigenous peoples. It premiered onFXand received positive reviews.[67][68]Waititi executive produced, directed and starred asBlackbeardin theHBO Maxcomedy seriesOur Flag Means Death.[69]The first season was released in March 2022.[70]That same year,Timemagazine placed him on itsannual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[71]Waititi voiced Mo Morrison in thePixarfilmLightyear(2022).[72]
He wrote and directed the superhero filmThor: Love and Thunder,a sequel toThor: Ragnarok.[73]It released in July 2022.[74]The film received mixed reviews with criticMark Kermodecomplained that "the jokes, the catch-phrases [are] just incredibly tired".[75]Richard BrodyofThe New Yorkerdescribed the film writing "The film passes through the nervous system without delivering any sustenance or even leaving a residue."[76]In her mixed review fromNPR,Amy Nicholson added "I was really compelled by the ideas Taika Waititi was teasing in this film, but the actual style of it – the eagerness to please – made me take a step back from everything. [But] what he's discussing is really smart."[77]
Waititi also directed afeature film adaptationof the documentaryNext Goal Winsprior to directingThor: Love and Thunder.The film, which had been delayed, was released on 17 November 2023,[78]afterArmie Hammer's scenes were re-shot withWill Arnetttaking over the role.[79][80][81]The film premiered at the2023 Toronto International Film Festivalto negative reviews. Esther Zuckerman ofIndieWirepraised some of the performances but labeled it as "largely a misfire".[82]Peter BradshawofThe Guardiandescribed it as "a shoddily made and strikingly unfunny attempt to tell an interesting story in an uninteresting way".[83]
Upcoming projects
[edit]In 2017, Waititi stated he was working on a sequel toWhat We Do In The ShadowstitledWe're Wolves.[84]As of 2023, there have been no updates on the project. That same year, Taika Waititi entered talks to direct alive-action film adaptationofAkira.[85]He was officially confirmed as director and co-writer withMichael Golamcoin 2019, with a release date of 21 May 2021.[86]However, the film's production has been on hold due to Waititi's commitments to other projects such asThor: Love and Thunder.[87]Despite development issues, Waititi has stated that he fully intends on making the film.[88]
In 2019, it was announced that Waititi would direct an animatedFlash Gordonmovie for20th Century Studios.[89]Though in 2021, it was revealed that the movie is now live action.[90]The same year, it was announced that Waititi would direct and co-write the pilot episode of atelevision adaptationof theTerry Gilliamfilm,Time Bandits.Waititi co-wrote the pilot alongside frequent collaborators Jemaine Clement andIain Morris.[91]
In 2020, Waititi was announced to be attached to write, direct and executive produce two animated series forNetflixbased on Roald Dahl's children's novelCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryandits sequel,one adapting the novels and the other focused on the novel's Oompa Loompa characters.[92]In 2021, it was announced that Waititi would executive produce and direct theShowtimelimited seriesThe AuteurstarringJude Law.[93]The same year, it was announced that Waititi would adaptThe Incalinto a feature film.[94]In 2022, Waititi was set to direct the pilot and executive produce a television adaptation of theCharles Yunovel,Interior Chinatown,withJimmy O. Yangset to star.[95]In 2023, it was announced that he would direct afilm adaptationof the novelKlara and the Sun,intending on making it his next movie afterNext Goal Wins.[96]
After rumors began circulating in late 2019 and early 2020, it was officially announced onMay 4,2020 that Taika Waititi would direct and co-write aStar Warsmovie withKrysty Wilson-Cairns.[97]In 2022,Kathleen Kennedystated that the film would most likely come out beforePatty Jenkins'Rogue Squadron.[98]In 2023, reports stated that Waititi was looking to star in the film.[99]The next month, Kennedy stated that Waititi's film is still in development and that he was now writing the film alone.[100]The film was reported to start filming in 2024.[101]
Personal life
[edit]Waititi was in a relationship with New Zealand actress and writerLoren Horsleyfor ten years. She co-wrote and acted in his directorial debut,Eagle vs Shark.[27]Waititi married New Zealand film producerChelsea Winstanleyin 2011.[102]They have two daughters.[103]He and Winstanley separated in 2018.[104][105]Waititi has been in a relationship with British singerRita Orasince 2021.[106][107]They married in August 2022.[108][109][110]
Support for indigenous artists
[edit]Waititi incorporates his Māori and indigenous heritage into his projects, such as by including indigenous interns and having traditional owners conduct aWelcome to Countryceremony during the start of filming on set in Australia.[111]He is an executive producer of the New Zealand filmsThe Breaker Upperers(2018),Baby Done(2020), andNight Raiders(2021), all directed by Māori or indigenous filmmakers.[73]In 2021, Waititi's cousinTweedie Waititi,whom he considers a sibling,[112]began producing and directingMāori languageversions ofDisneyanimated films due to Waititi, which she does alongside his former partner Winstanley.[113]In 2023, Waititi was the executive producer onFrybread Face and Me,a film directed byBilly Luther.[114]In 2024, Waititi served as executive producer onWe Were Dangerousdirected by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu.[115]
Filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Distribution |
---|---|---|
2007 | Eagle vs Shark | Hoyts Distribution |
2010 | Boy | Transmission Films Madman Entertainment Kino Lorber |
2014 | What We Do in the Shadows | Madman Entertainment |
2016 | Hunt for the Wilderpeople | Madman Entertainment Piki Films |
2017 | Thor: Ragnarok | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
2019 | Jojo Rabbit | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
2022 | Thor: Love and Thunder | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
2023 | Next Goal Wins | Searchlight Pictures |
TBA | Klara and the Sun | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Collaborators
[edit]Below is a table outlining Waititi's numerous collaborations. Waititi and Clement also worked together on television seriesRadiradirahand Clement has a voice role inMoana,a film for which Waititi wrote the initial screenplay. House also has a voice role inMoana,and had a minor role inJojo Rabbitwhich was ultimately cut from the film.[116]Darby and Waititi also worked together on television seriesRadiradirah.
Collaborator | Role(s) | Two Cars, One Night | Eagle vs Shark | Flight of the Conchords | Boy | What We Do in the Shadows | Hunt for the Wilderpeople | Thor: Ragnarok | Wellington Paranormal | What We Do in the Shadows(TV series) | Jojo Rabbit | Reservation Dogs | Thor: Love and Thunder | Our Flag Means Death | Next Goal Wins | Time Bandits | Klara and the Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garrett Basch | Producer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | ||||||||||
Mike Berlucchi | Cinematographer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | ||||||||||||
Jonathan Brugh | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Adam Clark | Cinematographer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Jemaine Clement | Multiple | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||
Bevan Crothers | Cinematographer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Rhys Darby | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||
Tom Eagles | Editor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||
David Fane | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||||
Ainsley Gardiner | Producer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Michael Giacchino | Composer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Cori Gonzalez-Macuer | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Yana Gorskaya | Multiple | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||
Nancy Hennah | Makeup | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | ||||||||||||
Cohen Holloway | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||
Loren Horsley | Multiple | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Rachel House | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||
Mike Minogue | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Iain Morris | Multiple | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||||
Sam Neill | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Lukasz Pawel Buda | Composer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||
Stu Rutherford | Multiple | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||||
Madeleine Sami | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||||
Kristen Schaal | Actor | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||
Samuel Scott | Composer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||
DJ Stipsen | Cinematographer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||||
Ra Vincent | Production designer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | |||||||
Conrad Wedde | Composer | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Waititi has received various awards and nominations, including anAcademy Award,aBritish Academy Film Award,aGrammy Award,aWriters Guild of America Award,and nominations for theGolden Globe AwardsandPrimetime Emmy Awards,among others.
Together with Jemaine Clement, Waititi won theBilly T Awardin 1999. In 2005, Waititi received a nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Live Action Short Filmfor the short filmTwo Cars, One Night(2004). In 2019, he wrote and directed the comedy-drama filmJojo Rabbit,which was met with critical acclaim and earned him theAcademy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay,theBAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay,and nominations for theAcademy Award for Best Picture,theGolden Globe Award for Best Musical or Comedy Filmand theDirectors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing in a Feature Film.For thesoundtrack of the film,he won theGrammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Since 2019, he has written and produced the television series,What We Do in the Shadows,based on the2014 film of the same name,for which he was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Seriesand theWriters Guild of America Award for Best New Series.
In the2020 Queen's Birthday Honours,Waititi was appointed anOfficer of the New Zealand Order of Merit,for services to film.[117]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Murphy, Mekado (15 July 2022)."'Thor: Love and Thunder' | Anatomy of a Scene ".The New York Times.Retrieved27 July2022.
- ^Churchouse, Nick (24 April 2010)."Home Boy hit helps keep local cameras rolling".The Dominion Post.Archivedfrom the original on 26 April 2010.Retrieved16 November2011.
- ^Gardiner, Irene (9 June 2016)."What are New Zealand's top five grossing local films of all time?".The New Zealand Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved7 August2018.
- ^abCampbell, Gordon (23 January 2004)."Taika Waititi".New Zealand Listener.Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2020.Retrieved12 February2020.
"Cohen" is the name on his birth certificate and "Waititi" is his father's surname, but his current choice of surname doesn't signal a shift in identity.
- ^ab"The Film Programme: Taika Waititi".BBC Online.2 January 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 12 February 2020.Retrieved12 February2020.
[Cohen] is still my name. It's actually the name on my passport and driver's licence and everything.
- ^ab"Te Ahi Kaa".Radio New Zealand.22 May 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 13 February 2020.Retrieved13 February2020.
His dad and I always had agreed that when Taika was, before he was born, that if he arrived looking like a Pākehā we'd name him after my dad and his Māori grandfather would–his name would be second, and if he arrived as a Māori then we would reverse it and he, of course, we know what he looks like, so he's Taika David.
- ^abBannister, Matthew (2021).Eye of the Taika: New Zealand comedy and the films of Taika Waititi.Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 23.ISBN9780814345320.
- ^abBuchanan, Kyle (1 November 2019)."Taika Waititi Puts on a Tuxedo".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 6 February 2020.Retrieved25 January2020.
- ^Kois, Dan (19 October 2017)."The Superweirdo Behind 'Thor: Ragnarok'".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2017.Retrieved25 January2020.
- ^Malkin, Marc (31 January 2020)."Taika Waititi's Mom Explains Why She Told Her Son to Make 'Jojo Rabbit'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 15 March 2021.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^Leon, Melissa (21 October 2019)."Taika Waititi Defends His Feel-Good Nazi Satire 'Jojo Rabbit': 'It's Not a History Lesson'".The Daily Beast.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^The Last Skeptik(24 December 2018)."S2E10: Taika Waititi".Thanks for Trying Podcast(Podcast).Acast.Event occurs at 42:44–43:04.Archivedfrom the original on 15 August 2020.Retrieved25 August2020.
- ^abApplebaum, Stephen (27 December 2019)."Taika Waititi: mum inspired my Nazi comedy".The Jewish Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on 15 April 2021.Retrieved11 March2021.
- ^Williams, Trey (26 December 2019)."Taika Waititi on How Portraying Hitler in 'Jojo Rabbit' Made Him Feel 'Uncomfortable'".TheWrap.Archivedfrom the original on 14 April 2020.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^Crucchiola, Jordan (3 September 2019)."The Jojo Rabbit Trailer Stars Taika Waititi As a Dancing Hitler".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on 24 July 2019.Retrieved25 July2019.
- ^Jurgensen, John (11 July 2022)."An Atheist Director Walks Into a Marvel Movie Full of Gods…".Wall Street Journal.Retrieved21 March2023.
- ^Brookes, Emily (4 June 2019)."Taika Waititi: My father was a gang member".Stuff.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2020.Retrieved25 January2020.
- ^Catherall, Sarah (10 December 2014)."My secret Wellington: Taika Waititi".Stuff.Archivedfrom the original on 3 August 2017.Retrieved6 April2017.
- ^Fisher, Amanda (14 April 2011)."Victoria University honour for Taika Waititi".Stuff.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2020.Retrieved25 January2020.
- ^Bloom, Nate (10 July 2007)."Interfaith Celebrities: Kyra Sedgwick, Baseball's Braun-y Interfaith Rookie and a Jewish Maori director".InterfaithFamily.Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2012.Retrieved2 December2012.
- ^Stein, Sophia (23 March 2012)."New Zealand's 'Boy' Takes On America".Cultural Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 17 February 2020.Retrieved17 February2020.
- ^ITZKOFF, Dave (10 June 2008)."New in Town, Talking Funny".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved8 August2018.
- ^"Billy T Award".NZ International Comedy Festival.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved8 August2018.
- ^Harper, Joseph (31 August 2016)."48Hours: the weirdest and most brutalizing film competition in the world returns".THE SPINOFF.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^"Awards / Two Cars, One Night / Short Film".NZ On Screen.Archivedfrom the original on 27 June 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^Gleiberman, Owen (13 June 2008)."Eagle vs Shark".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^ab"The Eagle has landed".Stuff.31 January 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^Loughrey, Clarisse (14 September 2016)."Taika Waititi interview: On Hunt for the Wilderpeople and the creative journey".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^NZ On Screen."Radiradirah | Series | Television | NZ On Screen".nzonscreen.Retrieved19 April2022.
- ^RT Staff (2 December 2009)."2010 Sundance Film Festival Lineup Announced".rottentomatoes. Archived fromthe originalon 7 June 2014.Retrieved2 December2012.
- ^Calder, Peter (25 March 2010)."Boy".The New Zealand Herald.Archived fromthe originalon 4 June 2012.Retrieved16 November2011.
- ^Mitchell, Wendy (21 May 2010)."Waititi's Boy sets new record for New Zealand film".Screendaily.Screen International.Archivedfrom the original on 10 October 2012.Retrieved2 December2011.
- ^"Super City".TV3.Archivedfrom the original on 31 October 2012.Retrieved2 December2012.
- ^Kit, Borys (15 March 2010)."Two kiwi actors join 'Green Lantern'".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2015.Retrieved12 February2011.
- ^"mock documentary WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS".17 December 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 29 January 2018.Retrieved17 December2013.
- ^"Sundance debut for Kiwi vampire spoof".Stuff.17 December 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 16 December 2013.Retrieved17 December2013.
- ^Godfrey, Alex (1 November 2014)."What We Do In The Shadows: the return of the living deadpan".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Archivedfrom the original on 12 February 2020.Retrieved5 February2020.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (3 May 2018)."'What We Do In The Shadows' Reboot From Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi Gets FX Series Order ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2018.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^Valentini, Valentina (26 March 2019)."Taiki Waititi on 'What We Do in the Shadows' Jumping to TV".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on 28 July 2020.Retrieved2 August2020.
- ^abPatten, Dominic (28 July 2020)."Taika Waititi Scores Emmy Double With 'Mandalorian' & 'What We Do In The Shadows' Nomination".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020.Retrieved2 August2020.
- ^"SUNDANCE INSTITUTE COMPLETES FEATURE FILM LINEUP FOR 2016 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL".Sundance Film Festival.7 December 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 10 December 2015.Retrieved6 January2017.
- ^Sharf, Zack (4 April 2016)."Sundance Crowdpleaser 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' Makes Box Office History in New Zealand".IndieWire.Archivedfrom the original on 7 January 2017.Retrieved6 January2017.
- ^"Taika Waititi behind Disney script 'Moana'".The New Zealand Herald.21 October 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 21 October 2014.Retrieved8 October2015.
- ^"Interview: 'Moana' Directors John Musker And Ron Clements On Making Their First CG Movie"./Film.23 November 2016.Retrieved20 July2023.
- ^Schmitz, Melanie (30 November 2016)."'Moana' Viewer Raises Thought-Provoking Questions About How We Talk About The Film ".Romper.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^Barton, Nicky."2017 NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR AWARDS WINNERS UPDATE".New Zealander of the Year Awards.Kiwibank.Archivedfrom the original on 24 February 2017.Retrieved24 February2017.
- ^Kit, Borys (2 October 2015)."'Thor 3' Finds Its Director ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2015.Retrieved2 October2015.
- ^Frater, Patrick (21 October 2015)."Marvel's 'Thor: Ragnarok' and Fox's 'Alien' To Shoot in Australia".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 22 October 2015.Retrieved22 October2015.
- ^Lawrence, Derek."Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi to portray Korg in film".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 19 April 2017.Retrieved2 August2020.
- ^Carbone, Gina (12 April 2019)."Yes! Chris Hemsworth Is Down For A Team Thor TV Show With Darryl".CinemaBlend.Archivedfrom the original on 1 June 2020.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^Holub, Christian (9 October 2017)."Thor: Ragnarok early reviews praise film's originality, humor".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 23 November 2020.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (20 March 2018)."'Thor: Ragnarok' Box Office Profits 2017: Threequel Scores Rare Victory ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2021.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^Holmes, Adam (6 September 2019)."Avengers: Endgame Writers Had to Totally Retool Thor After Taika Waititi's Ragnarok".CinemaBlend.Archivedfrom the original on 3 November 2019.Retrieved24 November2019.
- ^Couch, Aaron (27 April 2018)."'Avengers' Writers Tweaked 'Infinity War' for James Gunn ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 29 April 2018.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^"Scarlett Johansson to Star in Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' for Fox Searchlight (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.28 March 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 29 March 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^Grobar, Matt (13 January 2020)."Taika Waititi Discusses 'Jojo Rabbit' Oscar Noms & Discovering Michael Fassbender's Comedic Chops On 'Next Goal Wins'".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 27 January 2020.Retrieved21 January2020.
- ^Woerner, Meredith (9 February 2020)."Taika Waititi Dedicates His Oscar Win to the Indigenous Kids of the World".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2020.Retrieved10 February2020.
- ^Brown, Tracy (10 February 2020)."Taika Waititi makes Oscars history as first Maori Academy Award winner".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2020.Retrieved19 February2020.
- ^Curto, Justin (14 March 2021)."Grammys 2021: Taika Waititi Wins for Jojo Rabbit Soundtrack".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on 15 March 2021.Retrieved15 March2021.
- ^Kit, Borys (4 October 2018)."'Star Wars' TV Show Books Taika Waititi, Bryce Dallas Howard as Directors ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 12 April 2019.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^Woerner, Meredith; Jackson, Angelique (12 November 2019)."'The Mandalorian': Taika Waititi Compares Droid IG-11 to the Terminator ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 16 December 2019.Retrieved21 January2020.
- ^Lindbergh, Ben (28 December 2019)."'The Mandalorian' Finale Was a Showcase for What Makes the Series Great ".The Ringer.Archivedfrom the original on 27 May 2020.Retrieved1 June2020.
- ^Flood, Alison (18 May 2020)."Taika Waititi leads all-star charity Roald Dahl readings".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 25 August 2020.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^Grebey, James (6 August 2021)."Who's Who in The Suicide Squad: A Character Guide".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on 6 August 2021.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^"The Suicide Squad: Positive reviews for 'riotous' film".BBC News. 29 July 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 29 July 2021.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^Vlessing, Etan (28 March 2019)."Taika Waititi, Utkarsh Ambudkar Join Fox's Action-Comedy 'Free Guy'".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 17 May 2019.Retrieved22 June2019.
- ^Hill, Libby (12 August 2021)."'Reservation Dogs': This Indigenous American Life — TV Podcast ".IndieWire.Archivedfrom the original on 16 August 2021.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^Odman, Sydney (6 August 2021)."'Reservation Dogs' Creators and Cast Talk Breaking Barriers, Future of Native Representation in Hollywood ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 13 August 2021.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^Hibberd, James (30 April 2021)."Taika Waititi to Play Blackbeard the Pirate in HBO Max Series".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 30 April 2021.Retrieved30 April2021.
- ^Alexander, Susannah (23 January 2022)."First look at Marvel's Taika Waititi as Blackbeard in new TV series".Digital Spy.Archivedfrom the original on 30 January 2022.Retrieved12 February2022.
- ^Cohen, Sacha Baron(23 May 2022)."Taika Waititi Is on the 2022 TIME 100 List".Time.Archivedfrom the original on 23 May 2022.Retrieved24 May2022.
- ^"Taika Waititi Didn't Really Know What Was Going On In His Lightyear Scenes".Slashfilm.16 June 2022.Retrieved16 September2023.
- ^abMaddox, Garry (9 June 2021)."'In the world of the internet, everything goes away pretty quick': Taika Waititi ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 8 June 2021.Retrieved8 June2021.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (27 December 2021)."'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', 'Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse' Among Most Anticipated 2022 Movies ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 27 December 2021.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"Mark Kermode reviews Thor: Love and Thunder – Kermode and Mayo's Take".Youtube.8 July 2022.Retrieved16 September2023.
- ^Brody, Richard (13 July 2022).""Thor: Love and Thunder," Reviewed: Marvel as a Faith-Based Organization ".The New Yorker.Retrieved16 September2023.
- ^"FilmWeek: 'Thor: Love and Thunder,' 'The Sea Beast,' 'Fire of Love,' 'The King of North Sudan' And More".KPCC.Retrieved16 September2023.
- ^McClintock, Pamela (12 April 2023)."Taika Waititi's 'Next Goal Wins' Kicks Box Office Release to November 2023".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved12 April2023.
- ^Mantilla, Daniel (4 July 2022)."Taika Waititi (Thor): "Los superhéroes se han convertido en los nuevos dioses en muchos sentidos"".El Español(in Spanish).Retrieved6 July2022.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (15 September 2022)."Disney Release Dates Coming Out Of D23:Snow WhiteEyes Spring 2024,Rogue SquadronScrubbed From Schedule & More ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved15 September2022.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (21 December 2022)."Taika Waititi's 'Next Goal Wins' Heads To Early Fall".
- ^"'Next Goal Wins' Review: Taika Waititi Fumbles His Long-Awaited Inspirational Sports Tale ".IndieWire.11 September 2023.Retrieved16 September2023.
- ^Lee, Benjamin (11 September 2023)."Next Goal Wins review – Taika Waititi's football comedy is strikingly unfunny".The Guardian.Retrieved16 September2023.
- ^O'Falt, Chris (2 November 2017)."'Thor: Ragnarok' Director Taika Waititi Confirms 'What We Do in the Shadows' Sequel ".IndieWire.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
- ^Busch, Fleming Jr, Anita, Mika (19 September 2019)."'Akira' Back? 'Thor: Ragnarok' Helmer Taika Waititi In Talks ".Deadline.Retrieved7 August2023.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^Couch, Aaron (24 May 2019)."Taika Waititi's 'Akira' Sets 2021 Release Date".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved7 August2023.
- ^Kit, Borys (16 July 2019)."Taika Waititi to Direct 'Thor 4'(Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved7 August2023.
- ^Kelly, Stephen (11 November 2021)."Taika Waititi talks Free Guy, Star Wars and Thor".Wired.Retrieved27 July2023.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (24 June 2019)."Taika Waititi To" Crack "'Flash Gordon' As Fox/Disney Animated Film".Deadline.Retrieved7 August2023.
- ^"Exclusive: Taika Waititi's Animated 'Flash Gordon' Movie Is Now Live-Action".Collider.30 July 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 30 July 2021.Retrieved30 July2021.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie; D'Alessandro, Anthony (11 March 2019)."Taika Waititi To Co-Write & DirectTime BanditsSeries In Works At Apple From Paramount, Anonymous Content & MRC ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 22 June 2022.Retrieved26 June2022.
- ^McNary, Dave (5 March 2020)."Taika Waititi Making Not One, But Two 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' Animated Series for Netflix".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2020.Retrieved6 March2020.
- ^Kroll, Justin (14 February 2020)."Jude Law, Taika Waititi Team on Showtime Limited Series 'The Auteur'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2021.Retrieved15 March2021.
- ^"Taika Waititi to Adapt Legendary Graphic Novel 'The Incal' as Feature Film".TheWrap.4 November 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 4 November 2021.Retrieved4 November2021.
- ^Bell, BreAnna (13 October 2022)."Hulu Orders 'Interior Chinatown' to Series With Jimmy O. Yang to Star, Taika Waititi to Direct".Variety.Retrieved18 October2022.
- ^Kroll, Justin (1 May 2023)."Taika Waititi To Direct 'Klara and the Sun'".Deadline.Retrieved1 May2023.
- ^"Taika Waititi to Direct, Co-Write new Star Wars Film".StarWars.4 May 2020.Retrieved4 May2020.
- ^Shepherd, Jack (1 June 2022)."Next Star Wars Movie Will Be From Taika Waititi In 2023".GamesRadar+.Retrieved17 February2023.
- ^B. Vary, Adam (27 March 2023)."'Star Wars' Shakeup: Kevin Feige and Patty Jenkins Movies Shelved, Taika Waititi Looking to Star in His Own Film (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.Retrieved7 August2023.
- ^Amon, Warmann; Earl, William (8 April 2023)."Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy on Daisy Ridley's New Rey Film, 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Season 2 and Rian Johnson's 'Star Wars' Future".Variety.Retrieved8 April2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (1 May 2023)."Taika Waititi In Talks To Direct Adaptation Of 'Klara And The Sun' For 3000 Pictures; Garrett Basch Boards As Producer".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2023.Retrieved1 May2023.
- ^Rittman, Alex (28 January 2020)."Rotterdam: How CineMart First Gave 'Jojo Rabbit' Legs".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2021.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^"Taika Waititi and wife Chelsea Winstanley separated".The New Zealand Herald.14 March 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 27 April 2021.Retrieved4 October2021.
- ^Kirkpatrick, Emily (3 August 2021)."Taika Waititi and Rita Ora Attend 'Suicide Squad' Premiere Together".Vanity Fair.Archivedfrom the original on 3 August 2021.Retrieved16 August2021.
- ^Mier, Tomás (28 April 2021)."Rita Ora and Director Taika Waititi Spark Dating Rumors After She Posts Cuddled Up Photo with Him".People.Archivedfrom the original on 29 August 2021.Retrieved18 May2021.
- ^"Valentine's Day: Taika Waititi reveals story behind his romance with Rita Ora".The New Zealand Herald.15 February 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 15 February 2022.Retrieved15 February2022.
- ^Schaben, Allen J. (13 February 2022)."Super Bowl party pictures: Faces in the crowd at SoFi Stadium".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on 15 February 2022.Retrieved15 February2022.
- ^VanHoose, Benjamin (12 August 2022)."Rita Ora, Taika Waititi Married in Very Small Ceremony".People.Retrieved10 October2022.
- ^Jack, Amberleigh (28 January 2023)."'I'm off the market': Rita Ora finally confirms marriage to Taika Waititi ".Stuff.Retrieved28 January2023.
- ^Macon, Alexandra (4 August 2023)."Inside Rita Ora and Taika Waititi's Intimate, Never-Before-Seen Los Angeles Wedding".British Vogue.Retrieved4 August2023.
- ^"Taika Waititi: paying it forward on Thor: Ragnarok | Screen News".Screen Australia.17 October 2017.Retrieved23 March2022.
- ^Knight, Kim (1 May 2021)."Enter the taniwha".Stuff.Retrieved26 July2022.
- ^"Tweedie Waititi: Bringing Disney classics into te ao Māori".Radio New Zealand.15 December 2021.Retrieved26 July2022.
- ^Patton, Dominic (11 March 2023)."'Frybread Face & Me' Director Billy Luther & EP Taika Waititi On SXSW Debut, Original Stories, 'Star Wars,' Savvy Audiences, & Expanding Horizons ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved5 November2023.
- ^Mass, Jennifer (22 March 2024)."'We Were Dangerous' Team on How New Zealand's Early 20th Century Eugenics Movement Inspired Sterilization Plot in Taika Waititi-Produced SXSW Film ".Variety.Retrieved25 March2024.
- ^"Jojo Rabbit Deleted Scene Details Revealed By Cut Actress".Screen Rant.23 December 2020.Retrieved8 February2022.
- ^"Queen's Birthday honours list 2020".Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 1 June 2020.Retrieved1 June2020.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1975 births
- 21st-century New Zealand writers
- 21st-century New Zealand male actors
- 21st-century screenwriters
- Action film directors
- Audiobook narrators
- Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award winners
- Best Adapted Screenplay BAFTA Award winners
- Best Screenplay AACTA International Award winners
- Comedy film directors
- English-language film directors
- Fantasy film directors
- Grammy Award winners
- Horror film directors
- Independent Spirit Award winners
- Indigenous filmmakers in New Zealand
- New Zealand people of Russian-Jewish descent
- New Zealand people of Irish descent
- New Zealand people of French-Canadian descent
- Living people
- Male motion capture actors
- Māori-language film directors
- New Zealand atheists
- New Zealand comedians
- New Zealand film directors
- New Zealand male comedians
- New Zealand male Māori actors
- New Zealand male voice actors
- New Zealand Māori film producers
- New Zealand screenwriters
- New Zealand male screenwriters
- Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- People educated at Onslow College
- People from the Bay of Plenty Region
- Science fiction film directors
- Victoria University of Wellington alumni
- Te Whānau-ā-Apanui people
- Waititi family
- Writers Guild of America Award winners