Taika Waititi Reveals the Film He Wishes He’d Made

Creative envy is hardly a new phenomenon. Throughout history, artists have found themselves both inspired and irked by the brilliance of their peers. For Taika Waititi, the feeling is all too familiar, especially when it comes to a certain psychological thriller that’s left a lasting mark on contemporary cinema.

Waititi’s own career has been a whirlwind of critical acclaim and box office success. From the offbeat charm of What We Do in the Shadows to the heartfelt adventure of The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, his early work quickly established him as a director with a knack for blending wit and warmth. Hollywood soon came calling, and with Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi injected a jolt of irreverence and colour into the superhero genre, steering the franchise in a direction few had anticipated. The film’s playful tone and retro visuals proved a hit, raking in nearly a billion dollars worldwide.

Not one to be pigeonholed, Waititi then turned his hand to Jojo Rabbit, a black comedy set against the backdrop of the Second World War. The film, which he also wrote, was met with widespread praise, earning six Oscar nominations and securing him the award for Best Screenplay. Around this period, he also directed episodes of The Mandalorian, while Jordan Peele, another director on the rise, lent his voice to a character in Toy Story 4.

Admiration and Envy: Waititi on Peele’s Masterstroke

It’s Peele’s work, though, that has left Waititi genuinely envious. Speaking candidly, he admitted,

“My favourite film of the last 10 years was (Peele’s groundbreaking horror) Get Out. As a filmmaker, I’m very jealous because it’s such a smart idea.”

He went on,

“And often, the films these days, there’s no really good idea behind them. It’s just like, I’m going to do a character study, and I’m going to do a film with a divorce. I’m going to do a film about a kid who doesn’t know his dad – which is all my films – but, you know, to have, like, a concept that, oh, these people are body snatching African Americans, and this guy has been, like, basically catfished into this community is just really cool.”

Released in 2017, Get Out quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. Its blend of social commentary and psychological tension struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, propelling it to the top of numerous best-of-the-century lists. The film’s modest budget of $4 million belied its eventual $250 million haul, and Peele’s screenplay earned him an Academy Award, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker to watch.

Shifting Gears: Waititi’s Recent Projects

While Peele continued to build on his success with the likes of Us and Nope, Waititi’s own journey took a few unexpected turns. The follow-up to his Marvel hit, Love and Thunder, didn’t quite land with critics, though it still drew impressive crowds to cinemas. Undeterred, he’s since thrown himself into a variety of projects, from executive producing the television adaptation of What We Do in the Shadows to penning new scripts for both the Star Wars and Flash Gordon universes.

Waititi has also wrapped filming on a fantasy called Fing!, in which he takes on a leading role. The story centres on a pair of librarians attempting to help their daughter track down a creature from her favourite books—a premise that, while whimsical, is a far cry from the razor-sharp social satire that left Waititi so envious of Peele’s achievement.

Creative Rivalry and the Drive to Innovate

There’s a certain honesty in Waititi’s admission of envy. Rather than shying away from the competitive spirit that often fuels artistic innovation, he embraces it, recognising the value in being challenged by the work of others. In a landscape where originality can sometimes feel in short supply, it’s the bold, inventive ideas—like those at the heart of Get Out—that continue to push filmmakers to raise their game.