Taika Waititi, the Oscar-winning New Zealand filmmaker, is expanding his creative pursuits with a mix of projects that range from film adaptations to television spin-offs and collaborations that bridge comedy and drama. Speaking from his home in Auckland, Waititi revealed plans to co-create a romantic comedy with his wife, pop star Rita Ora, reflecting a shift in his artistic interests.

Waititi, 50, recently produced a film for emerging director Victor Gabriel titled *The Incredible Heist of Hallelujah Jones*, and serves as an executive producer on *Very Young Frankenstein*, a television prequel to the classic 1974 film *Young Frankenstein*, originally directed by Mel Brooks. The project stars Zach Galifianakis and has garnered enthusiasm from both Brooks and Waititi, who met the comedy legend in 2020 prior to the Oscars, where Waititi won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for *Jojo Rabbit*.

*Very Young Frankenstein* aims to honor the original’s legacy while offering a fresh take for contemporary audiences. Waititi acknowledged the challenges of revisiting such a beloved film but expressed confidence in the new version’s comedic quality. His relationship with industry figures like Brooks and Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro—whose novel *Klara and the Sun* Waititi adapted into his next film—highlights his growing reputation as a versatile and trusted filmmaker.

Waititi’s work, known for its distinctively understated Kiwi humor, has evolved from cult hits like *Flight of the Conchords* and *What We Do in the Shadows* to blockbuster Marvel features such as *Thor: Ragnarok* and *Thor: Love and Thunder*. Despite a less successful outing with the football comedy *Next Goal Wins* (2023), he remains committed to what he describes as a “comedy of the mundane,” drawing humor from everyday life’s banalities.

The re-release this month of *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* marks the film’s tenth anniversary, a poignant moment following the recent death of one of its stars, Sam Neill, aged 78. Waititi described Neill as a foundational figure in New Zealand cinema and recalled their friendship, including visits to Neill’s vineyard where the actor kept pigs and named one after Waititi. He praised Neill’s calm professionalism and disregard for conventional macho norms in a society often steeped in patriarchal attitudes.

Originally envisioned as a darker film, *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* was reshaped into a warmer and more humorous story, focusing on the unlikely bond between a foster child, Ricky, and the gruff Hector, played by Neill. Waititi credits Neill’s nuanced performance for anchoring the movie’s blend of comedy and heart.

On the home front, Waititi has two daughters with Chelsea Winstanley, his former partner and producer, and maintains a busy family life alongside Rita Ora. The couple divides their time across Auckland, London, and Los Angeles. Waititi credits Ora for broadening his cinematic tastes, notably introducing him to romantic comedies, a genre he once dismissed but now finds enjoyable.

The collaborative romcom they are developing stems from their need to balance demanding careers while spending time together. Waititi describes Ora as "a really funny actor" and hints at her involvement in *Klara and the Sun*, though details remain private.

*Klara and the Sun*, set for release in October, tells the story of Josie, a sick girl who receives an android companion, exploring themes of companionship and emotional connection in a technological world. Waititi described the film as his most meaningful work to date, reflecting a maturation in his storytelling.

Addressing questions about relationships with artificial beings, he noted the evolving nature of human connection, underscoring the film's exploration of what it means to be seen and loved regardless of the form a companion takes.