Taika Waititi Confirms Star Wars Movie is On Ice Amid Lucasfilm Leadership Shift

Director Taika Waititi has confirmed that his long-gestating Star Wars feature film is officially “on ice,” ending years of speculation regarding the project’s status. The filmmaker, who was first announced as a writer and director for a new entry in the franchise on May 4, 2020, clarified the situation while promoting his upcoming film, Klara and the Sun.

In an interview with Inverse published in October 2026, Waititi signaled that while the project is not necessarily permanently canceled, it is no longer an active priority for himself or Lucasfilm. “Ice ages do come to an end,” Waititi noted regarding the delay, though he added, “Who knows?” to emphasize the uncertainty of a future return to the galaxy far, far away.

Waititi has approximately four other films slated before any potential return to the anonymous silhouettes Wars universe.

Pivoting to New Creative Collaborations

The shelving of the project coincides with a shift in Waititi’s creative focus. He is currently collaborating with screenwriter Tony McNamara, who was previously attached to help pen the Star Wars script, on an entirely different, non-Star Wars project. McNamara, known for his work on Poor Things and The Favourite, has moved away from the franchise alongside Waititi to pursue new material.

Waititi indicated that his immediate schedule is heavily booked, mentioning that he has approximately four other films he intends to complete before he would consider revisiting the Star Wars universe. This includes the rollout of Klara and the Sun, starring Jenna Ortega, which is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on October 23, 2026. This focus on original and adapted drama marks a departure from the high-budget franchise filmmaking that defined his recent career with projects like Thor: Love and Thunder.

Transition at Lucasfilm

The decision to “ice” the project arrives as Lucasfilm undergoes a significant period of internal transition. Earlier in 2026, Dave Filoni assumed the dual role of President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, taking a more centralized hand in the studio’s theatrical roadmap. This leadership shift has seen the studio focus its resources on a new wave of confirmed titles, such as The Mandalorian & Grogu and Shawn Levy’s Starfighter project.

Waititi’s project was part of a 2020-era development slate that included several high-profile announcements, many of which have since stalled or been reimagined. While Waititi’s unique comedic style was initially seen as a fresh direction for the franchise, the prolonged development cycle and the director’s expanding personal slate eventually led to the current pause. According to IGN, the filmmaker remains on good terms with the studio but is prioritizing projects that allow for immediate production over the complex requirements of the Star Wars franchise.

For now, the project remains a relic of a previous production era at Lucasfilm. While Waititi’s “ice age” comment leaves the door open for a eventual thaw, the current trajectory for both the director and the studio suggests that any potential collaboration is years away from realization.

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