Six months afterThor: Ragnarokhit theaters, filmmakerTaika Waititiis rolling cameras on his next project. Instead of jumping to aStar Warsmovie or another major comic book adaptation after theWhat We Do in the Shadowsfilmmaker’s Marvel debut, Waititi instead has opted to throw his weight behind an anti-war satire with a phenomenal cast. The film is calledJojo Rabbitand it tells the story of a young boy living in World War II Germany whose only ally is his imaginary friend Hitler, played by Waititi. His naïve patriotism is tested when a young girl upends his worldviews and forces him to face his biggest fears.
Waititi wrote the original screenplay, and production is underway on the Fox Searchlight film in and around Prague, Czech Republic. NewcomerRoman Griffin Davisplays the boy, but the incredible ensemble includesScarlett Johansson,Sam Rockwell,Rebel Wilson, andLeave No TracebreakoutThomasin McKenzie. Waititi,Carthew Neal(Hunt for the Wilderpeople) andChelsea Winstanley(What We Do in the Shadows) are producing withKevan Van Thompson(The Zookeeper’s Wife) serving as executive producer.
In possibly the greatest press release statement ever made, Waititi had this to say about the film:
“I’m stoked to begin shooting my anti-war satire. We’ve assembled an incredible cast and I couldn’t be more excited to finally ridicule Nazis and their beliefs. This film is going to piss off a lot of racists and that makes me very happy.”
As if things couldn’t get any more exciting, Waititi will be working withThe MastercinematographerMihai Malaimare Jr., as well as production designerRa Vincent(Thor: Ragnarok), editorTom Eagles(Hunt for the Wilderpeople), costume designerMayes Rubeo(Thor: Ragnarok), and make-up and hair designerDannelle Satherley(Hunt for the Wilderpeople).
Fox Searchlight is coming off Best Picture and Best Director Oscar wins forGuillermo del Toro’sThe Shape of Water, andJojo Rabbitmarks a wildly exciting addition to their slate. As for Waititi, he’s also attached to direct a new adaptation ofAkirafor Warner Bros. No release date forJojo Rabbitis set just yet, but expect this one either late this year, or sometime next year.
