Looking back at the group’s shared filmographies, the early signs pointing to potential success were there.
As far back as the 2003, Waititi’s short film Two Cars, One Night, earned him an Oscar nomination. The film is about three kids left in adjacent cars at the local pub carpark, whose rivalry gives way to friendship. When he attended the Oscars in 2005, Waititi feigned being asleep when the camera cut to him. Fifteen years later he would win one, for Jojo Rabbit.
Roman Griffin Davis and Taika Waititi in Jojo Rabbit.Credit:Kimberley French / Fox Searchlight Pictures
Of all the group’s collaborations, What We Do in the Shadows is the strongest. The original feature film, based on an earlier 29-minute short film from 2005, has become a creatively rich base, spawning two spin-off television series – a US-set sequel and the police comedy Wellington Paranormal.
In Our Flag Means Death, in addition to directing and producing duties, Waititi plays the infamous pirate Blackbeard, who comes up against Darby’s character, the “gentleman pirate” Stede Bonnet in the Caribbean in 1717. Bonnet sets out “to find adventure and renown on the high seas,” the series promises in its opening text. “Things did not go to plan,” it warns.
Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about Our Flag Means Death is that it is based on a true story. Bonnet, who lived from 1688 to 1718, was an early 18th century landowner who gave up wealth, status and family to break into the piracy game.
In the show, Bonnet meets Blackbeard, who is jaded about his own success and wondering if there is any adventure left in piracy. “It’s boring for Blackbeard now, he’s like, no one puts up a fight. They just see the flag, and they just give up,” Waititi says.
Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet in Our Flag Means Death.Credit:HBO MAX/Binge
The casting of Darby works because Darby’s inherent likeability helps the audience navigate the flaws in Bonnet’s character. “He doesn’t do anything horrible, that’s the thing. When we meet him, he is there for the adventure and the things he’s read about in books,” Waititi says.
“But he’s got no real idea about the actual high stakes of bloodshed and murder and all the other really bad things that go along with pirating,” adds Waititi. “Rhys is just inherently lovable. You can’t help but love him. I think it just made perfect sense. For him to be the leader of this group of not very good pirates either, it’s a perfect dynamic.”
The golden touch: Taika Waititi’s hit list
Taika Waititi as vampire Viago in the movie What We Do In The Shadows.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Actor and co-writer/co-director with Jemaine Clement. Mockumentary about vampires living in a flat in Wellington. Waititi played uptight dandy Viago von Dorna Schmarten Scheden Heimburg. Launched Wellington Paranormal and a US adaptation. Box office: $US5.4 million ($7.3 million).
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Writer and director. Comedy-drama about Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his foster dad Hector (Sam Neill) who flee when they are told Ricky must be returned to welfare custody. Rave reviews followed the film’s Sundance Film Festival release. Box office: $23.2 million.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Director. The third film in Marvel’s Thor series, following Thor (2011) and Thor: The Dark World (2013). Waititi was praised for the humour he brought to the film; the film also won critical acclaim for its sophisticated commentary on colonisation. Box office: $854 million.
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Actor, writer and director. Comedy-drama set during World War II about German boy Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) who discovers his mother is hiding Jewish girl Elsa Korr (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. Waititi won an Oscar for adapted screenplay. Box office: $90.3 million.
The Mandalorian (2019)
Actor and director. Waititi lent his voice to the assassin droid IG-11 who later became a protector of “the child”, aka Baby Yoda. He also directed the season one finale, Redemption, which introduced Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 to the story.
Reservation Dogs (2021)
Writer and producer. Created by Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, it is the story of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. Praised for using all Indigenous writers and directors, and a mostly Indigenous cast and production team.
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Our Flag Means Death (2022)
Actor and director. Created by David Jenkins, a comedy series based on the story of Stede Bonnet, a wealthy landowner who left his family to become a (fairly ordinary) pirate. Waititi directs episodes of the series and stars as the pirate Blackbeard opposite Rhys Darby.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Writer and director. Filmed in Australia between January and June 2021, it will be the fourth movie in Marvel’s Thor franchise, after Thor: Ragnarok (2017). In an interview, Waititi described it as “over the top in the very best way.”
Our Flag Means Death is streaming on Binge.
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Taika Waititi is rewriting the Hollywood playbook, one hit at a time
Source: Philippines Alive
