Academy Award-winning filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi joins the hosts on this episode. They discuss Waititi's movie 'Caging Skies', blending humor with serious themes, the process of creating Thor in the Marvel comics, and unique names and their meanings. They also touch on directing and acting, as well as their love for rugby. Plus, an advertisement for 'Tiz the Grinch Holiday Talk Show'.
Taika Waititi believes that incorporating humor in films can effectively convey important messages and explore heavy topics.
Waititi used humor to approach a serious topic and highlight the perspective of an 11-year-old boy in his film Jojo Rabbit.
Waititi emphasizes the importance of trust and finding a collaborative balance with actors, while also dealing with their idiosyncrasies and demands.
Deep dives
Creating Humor in Serious Films
Taika Waititi discusses his approach to incorporating humor in his films, finding a balance between lightness and darkness to reflect the comedic and tragic aspects of life. He believes that a mix of comedy and drama can effectively convey important messages and explore heavy topics.
The Making of Jojo Rabbit
Waititi shares the inspiration behind his film Jojo Rabbit, which was based on the book 'Caging Skies' and his mother's pitch. He wanted to tell a different kind of World War II story, using humor to approach a serious topic and highlight the perspective of an 11-year-old boy.
Working with Actors and their Unique Styles
Waititi navigates the challenges of working with different actors and their varying approaches to improvisation and character portrayal. He emphasizes the importance of trust and finding a collaborative balance on set, while also dealing with the idiosyncrasies and demands of different actors.
Tyka Waititi's Unique Filmmaking Journey
Tyka Waititi discusses his journey as a filmmaker, from making indie films in New Zealand to working on big franchises like Thor and Star Wars. He shares how he followed his passion and chose projects that aligned with his interests, even turning down rom-coms that weren't his style. Waititi also talks about his experience directing and acting, and how he enjoys the freedom of directing himself in scenes.
Marvel's Success and Boundaries
Waititi reflects on Marvel's success and how they have created a formula that has made the industry healthier. While acknowledging the need to adhere to certain parameters set by Marvel, he also emphasizes the importance of bringing something unique to the table. Waititi credits Marvel for taking risks with directors outside the box and keeping the story and characters within the Marvel universe. He also mentions the importance of balancing fan expectations with creative freedom.