Acclaimed filmmaker Taika Waititi, known for his distinctive blend of humor and heart in films like Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, has revealed that his upcoming Star Wars movie is no longer actively in development. Speaking to Inverse during promotional rounds for his latest film, Klara and the Sun, Waititi stated the project is currently "suspended."

The news comes as little surprise to those following Lucasfilm's often-turbulent development pipeline. The project, first announced years ago, was at one point described by former Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy as a "fun" addition to the saga, with a script reportedly delivered. However, concrete updates have been scarce, and Waititi's own recent projects, including Thor: Love and Thunder and Next Goal Wins, have met with mixed critical and commercial reception, potentially shifting his immediate priorities.

The suspension of Waititi's Star Wars film also aligns with a broader pattern at Lucasfilm. Under the new leadership of Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, the studio appears to be recalibrating its cinematic strategy, potentially clearing the slate of projects that have languished. Other previously announced films, such as Steven Soderbergh's The Hunt for Ben Solo and James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi, have similarly seen their futures become uncertain, as reported by Ecran Large.

Despite the setback for Star Wars fans, Waititi found a silver lining in the development process. The project led him to collaborate with screenwriter Tony McNamara, celebrated for his work on Yorgos Lanthimos's The Favourite and Poor Things. Waititi indicated that he is now working with McNamara on a different, currently unspecified, script. This new partnership suggests that while one door might have closed for now, another creative avenue has opened.

While Waititi’s packed schedule, which includes an adaptation of L'Incal, a sequel to What We Do in the Shadows, and a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reinterpretation, undoubtedly contributed to the Star Wars film's pause, he hasn't entirely closed the door on the galaxy far, far away. Echoing the sentiment of pop icon Justin Bieber, Waititi offered a cautious "never say never" regarding the project's ultimate fate. For now, however, it remains in a state of indefinite limbo, awaiting a clearer trajectory from Lucasfilm's evolving vision.