Star Wars fans are thrilled to learn Taika Waititi will direct and co-write the next film in the sci-fi saga
- The announcement came in honor of May 4th, unofficial Star Wars Day
- Academy Award nominated writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns will craft the script
- The Kiwi actor/director earned an Oscar last year for JoJo Rabbit
- He previously directed the blockbuster Marvel movie Thor: Ragnarok
The next Star Wars will be directed and co-written by Taika Waititi.
Fans of the series got quite the surprise Monday, learning the man behind Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit will be at the helm of the next addition to the sci-fi saga.
The news came out via StarWars.com in celebration of May 4th, an unofficial holiday celebrating the series.
Big deal: Academy Award winner Taika Waititi will direct the next Star Wars film. He’s seen in February above
The script will be penned by writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, who earned an Oscar nomination for her work on 1917 during January’s ceremony.
A release date has yet to be announced.
This isn’t the Kiwi actor’s first time working on a Star Wars project.
Taika directed season finale of Disney+’s The Mandalorian and played the part of droid IG-11.
Intergalactic: Taika directed season finale of Disney+’s The Mandalorian and played the part of droid IG-11, above
The director/writer/actor has already proven his ability to handle a blockbuster with his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Thor: Ragnarok grossed $854million, becoming the highest-earning film of the Thor trilogy.
Waititi hopes to repeat that success with the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder, which is set for release on February 11, 2022.