Before Taika Waititi heads back to the Marvel universe, he’ll take on a mysterious new project.
Sources tell Variety that Waititi is attached to direct an untitled project as his next film with Fox Searchlight landing rights to distribute. He will also co-write with Iain Morris
The pic is based on the 2015 doc Next Goal Wins” and is based on the true story of Dutch coach Thomas Rongen who attempts the nearly impossible task of turning the American Samoa soccer team from perennial losers into winners.
Waititi recently signed back on for “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which forced him to postpone his “Akira” movie at Warner Bros., as the size of the anime adaptation would not give him enough time to focus on “Thor,” which Marvel wants him to shoot at the top of 2020. Garrett Basch is producing the Fox Searchlight pic as are Jonathan Cavendish and Andy Serkis through their Imaginarium banner. ike Brett and Steve Jamison, who directed the doc, will also produce.
Once Waititi was on board, Fox Searchlight worked aggressively to land the rights to the film, which has already been greenlit for a fall shoot. Fox Searchlight and Waititi recently worked together on his satire “Jojo Rabbit,” and the studio plans to give the movie a strong awards-season campaign after its October release.
Marvel Studios recently announced plans for a fourth “Thor” film at Comic-Con with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson returning to join Waititi. Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” stars Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell and will bow on Oct. 18.
Waititi is repped by CAA and Manage-ment.
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