History of Taika Waititi in Timeline
Taika Waititi, a New Zealand filmmaker, actor, and comedian, is recognized for directing distinctive comedy films. His career has broadened to include voice acting and producing various projects. Waititi's work has garnered significant acclaim, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. In 2022, Time magazine listed him among the 100 most influential people globally.
August 1975: Birth of Taika Waititi
In August 1975, Taika Waititi was born in Wellington, New Zealand. He spent his formative years in the city's Aro Valley suburb and Raukokore, a small town in the Bay of Plenty.
August 1975: Birth of Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi, born as Taika David Cohen, entered the world in Wellington, New Zealand, in August 1975. His early life was spent in the Aro Valley suburb and Raukokore, a small town in the Bay of Plenty.
1997: Graduation from Victoria University of Wellington
Taika Waititi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997 from Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied theatre, setting the stage for his future in film and comedy.
1999: Winning the Billy T Award
In 1999, Taika Waititi, as part of the comedy duo The Humourbeasts, received New Zealand's highest comedy accolade, the Billy T Award.
1999: Billy T Award
Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement won the Billy T Award in 1999.
2003: Academy Award Nomination for Two Cars, One Night
Taika Waititi's short film 'Two Cars, One Night' earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Live Action Short Film.
2003: Two Cars, One Night Short Film Release
The short film 'Two Cars, One Night', directed by Taika Waititi, was released in 2003. It earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film.
2004: Two Cars, One Night Release
Waititi's short film "Two Cars, One Night" was released in 2004.
2005: Oscar Nomination for Two Cars, One Night
"Two Cars, One Night" earned Waititi an Academy Award nomination in 2005.
2005: Academy Award Nomination for Two Cars, One Night
In 2005, Taika Waititi's 'Two Cars, One Night' was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2007: Eagle vs Shark Release
Taika Waititi's first feature film, 'Eagle vs Shark', co-written with Loren Horsley, was released in 2007. It marked his entry into feature-length filmmaking.
January 2010: Premiere of Boy at Sundance Film Festival
In January 2010, Taika Waititi's film 'Boy' premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. This film later became a top-grossing success in New Zealand.
2010: Release of Boy
In 2010, Taika Waititi's film 'Boy' was released, becoming the top-grossing New Zealand film. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.
2010: Meeting Chelsea Winstanley
Taika Waititi met New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley in 2010.
2011: Marriage to Chelsea Winstanley
Waititi and Winstanley married in 2011.
2011: Directing Super City and Acting in Green Lantern
In 2011, Taika Waititi directed the New Zealand TV series 'Super City' and portrayed Thomas Kalmaku in the superhero film 'Green Lantern'.
2013: Co-writing and Co-directing What We Do in the Shadows
In 2013, Taika Waititi co-wrote and co-directed 'What We Do in the Shadows', a mockumentary about vampires living in Wellington, with Jemaine Clement.
January 2014: Premiere of What We Do in the Shadows
In January 2014, 'What We Do in the Shadows', co-written and co-directed by Taika Waititi, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, featuring a comedic take on vampire life.
2014: What We Do in the Shadows Film Release
The original "What We Do in the Shadows" film was released in 2014.
2014: What We Do in the Shadows
In 2014, Taika Waititi co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the horror comedy film 'What We Do in the Shadows', which later inspired a television series adaptation.
2016: Premiere of Hunt for the Wilderpeople
In 2016, 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', directed by Taika Waititi, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and broke Waititi's own box office records in New Zealand.
2016: Success of Hunt for the Wilderpeople
In 2016, 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', directed by Taika Waititi, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It became the top-grossing New Zealand film, breaking Waititi's previous records.
2017: What We Do in the Shadows Sequel and Akira Talks
In 2017, Waititi revealed work on a "What We Do in the Shadows" sequel and entered discussions to direct a live-action "Akira" adaptation.
2017: Success with Thor: Ragnarok
In 2017, Taika Waititi directed 'Thor: Ragnarok', released in October. The film received critical acclaim and was highly successful at the box office, marking Waititi's debut in directing major studio films.
2017: Directing Thor: Ragnarok
In 2017, Taika Waititi directed the Marvel Studios blockbuster 'Thor: Ragnarok', which was released in October. His work on the film received critical acclaim and commercial success.
May 2018: Television Series Commissioned for What We Do in the Shadows
In May 2018, a television adaptation of 'What We Do in the Shadows' was commissioned, with Taika Waititi serving as an executive producer and director.
October 2018: Involvement in The Mandalorian
In October 2018, Taika Waititi was announced as one of the directors for the Star Wars series 'The Mandalorian'. He also lent his voice to the droid IG-11.
2018: Separation from Chelsea Winstanley
Waititi and Winstanley quietly separated in 2018.
2018: Executive Producer on The Breaker Upperers
Waititi was the executive producer of the New Zealand film, "The Breaker Upperers", in 2018.
March 2019: Television Premiere of What We Do in the Shadows
The TV adaptation of 'What We Do in the Shadows' premiered on FX in March 2019. It later received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
November 2019: Premiere of The Mandalorian
'The Mandalorian', featuring Taika Waititi as the voice of IG-11, premiered in November 2019. Waititi directed the season finale, 'Chapter 8: Redemption'.
2019: Television Adaptation of What We Do in the Shadows
The television series adaptation of 'What We Do in the Shadows', co-created by Taika Waititi, premiered in 2019 and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
2019: What We Do in the Shadows Series Begins
Waititi began writing and producing the "What We Do in the Shadows" series in 2019.
2019: Confirmed as Director for Akira
In 2019, Waititi was officially confirmed as the director for "Akira."
2019: Jojo Rabbit's Success at the Oscars
In 2019, 'Jojo Rabbit', directed by Taika Waititi, received six Academy Award nominations, winning Best Adapted Screenplay. Waititi also starred in the film as an imaginary Adolf Hitler.
2019: Star Wars Rumors
Rumors of Waititi directing a "Star Wars" film started circulating in late 2019.
2019: Jojo Rabbit's Award Success
In 2019, Taika Waititi's film 'Jojo Rabbit' received multiple Academy Award nominations, winning Best Adapted Screenplay. Waititi also starred as an imaginary Adolf Hitler in the film.
2019: Jojo Rabbit Release and Awards
"Jojo Rabbit," written and directed by Waititi, released in 2019 and garnered critical acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a Grammy Award.
2019: Flash Gordon Animated Film Announcement
In 2019, it was announced that Taika Waititi would direct an animated "Flash Gordon" film for 20th Century Studios.
2020: Executive Producer on Baby Done
He also served as executive producer on the film, "Baby Done", in 2020.
2020: James and the Giant Peach Charity Reading
In 2020, Taika Waititi narrated a charity reading of 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl, showcasing his voice acting talents for a good cause.
2020: Emmy Nomination for The Mandalorian
In 2020, Taika Waititi was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his role as IG-11 in 'The Mandalorian'.
2020: Netflix's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Series
In 2020, Waititi was announced as the director and writer for two animated "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" series for Netflix.
2020: Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Waititi was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours.
May 2021: Akira Release Date Set (Later Postponed)
In May 2021, a release date was officially set for Waititi's live-action adaptation of "Akira." However, the film's production was later put on hold.
August 2021: Roles in The Suicide Squad and Free Guy
In August 2021, Taika Waititi appeared in 'The Suicide Squad' as Ratcatcher and portrayed the antagonist Antwan in 'Free Guy', both of which received positive reviews.
2021: Relationship with Rita Ora Begins
Waititi began a relationship with Rita Ora in 2021.
2021: Executive Producer on Night Raiders and Disney Māori Language Films
Waititi continued his role as an executive producer with the film "Night Raiders" and also began producing Māori language versions of Disney films with Tweedie Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley in 2021.
2021: Flash Gordon and Time Bandits Projects
In 2021, it was revealed that "Flash Gordon" would be a live-action film instead of animated. Waititi was also announced as director and co-writer for the "Time Bandits" pilot.
2021: The Auteur, The Incal, and More
In 2021, Waititi's involvement in "The Auteur" series, "The Incal" film adaptation, and other projects was announced.
2021: Grammy Award for Jojo Rabbit Soundtrack
In 2021, Taika Waititi won a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media as a producer of the 'Jojo Rabbit' soundtrack.
March 2022: Our Flag Means Death Premiere and Time 100
In March 2022, the first season of the HBO Max comedy series "Our Flag Means Death," starring and directed by Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, was released. He was also recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
July 2022: Thor: Love and Thunder Release and Reception
"Thor: Love and Thunder," directed and co-written by Taika Waititi, was released in July 2022. The film opened to mixed reviews, with some critics praising its ideas while others found the humor and style lacking.
August 2022: Marriage to Rita Ora
Taika Waititi married singer Rita Ora in August 2022.
2022: Thor: Love and Thunder
In 2022, Taika Waititi directed 'Thor: Love and Thunder', continuing his successful collaboration with Marvel Studios.
2022: Recognition in Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2022, Taika Waititi was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting his impact as a filmmaker, actor, and comedian.
2022: Interior Chinatown Series
In 2022, Waititi was set to direct the pilot for an adaptation of "Interior Chinatown."
2022: Potential Release Timeline
In 2022, it was suggested that Waititi's "Star Wars" film might release before "Rogue Squadron."
November 2023: Next Goal Wins Release at TIFF
In November 2023, Waititi's film "Next Goal Wins" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Despite facing earlier production delays due to re-shoots, the film was met with largely negative reviews.
2023: We're Wolves and Akira Updates
As of 2023, there are no updates on the "What We Do in the Shadows" sequel, "We're Wolves." Waititi maintains he intends to make "Akira" despite ongoing delays.
2023: Klara and the Sun Adaptation
In 2023, Waititi was announced as director for a "Klara and the Sun" adaptation.
2023: Waititi's Role and Script
In 2023, reports emerged that Waititi may also star in the film, and that he's now the sole writer.
2023: Executive Producer on Frybread Face and Me
Waititi took on the role of executive producer for the film "Frybread Face and Me" in 2023.
2024: Executive Producer on We Were Dangerous
Waititi was the executive producer for "We Were Dangerous" in 2024.
2024: Planned Filming Start
Filming for Waititi's Star Wars project was reportedly slated to begin in 2024.
May 4, 2020: Star Wars Film Announcement
On May 4, 2020, it was officially announced that Taika Waititi would co-write and direct a Star Wars film.