Taika Waititi Expands Disney Partnership with New First-Look Deal
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A renewed and expanded first-look deal will keep Taika Waititi developing and directing projects across 20th Television, FX Productions, and Hulu, solidifying a long-standing relationship with Disney. The agreement prioritizes content for Disney Entertainment Television platforms, including FX and Hulu, while also allowing for projects across all linear networks and streamers.
A Continued Creative Home
The pact builds upon Waititi’s established history with Disney, encompassing both television and film. He has consistently delivered critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects for the media giant, and this new deal signals a continued commitment to his unique creative vision. According to a company release, the agreement reflects Disney’s confidence in Waititi’s ability to deliver innovative and engaging content.
Current Projects in Development
Waititi is currently collaborating with Barry writer-producer Jason Kim on Last Look, a half-hour comedy series for Hulu. The show, penned and executive produced by Waititi and Kim, is described as a modern upstairs/downstairs comedy set within a luxury fashion house, focusing on the lives of the staff and the “fabulous monsters” who design the collections.
Additionally, Waititi directed and executive produced the FX pilot Very Young Frankenstein, a reimagining of Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic Young Frankenstein. Initial reactions to the pilot have been positive, and it is currently in post-production.
A Track Record of Success
Waititi’s previous work for Disney includes the Emmy-nominated FX series What We Do In the Shadows (nominated four times) and Reservation Dogs, as well as Hulu’s Interior Chinatown. He also directed an episode of Disney+’s The Mandalorian and has directed several feature films for Disney, including Thor: Love and Thunder, Thor: Ragnarok, and the Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit, as well as Next Goal Wins. He is also slated to write and direct a future Star Wars film for Lucasfilm.
Notably, Waititi recently directed A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever for Disney, which has amassed over 34 million views on YouTube since its release on November 10.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX9G-w-w-w
Waititi Productions Focuses on Underrepresented Voices
Last year, Waititi launched Waititi Productions, led by Ishi Metkar, VP of Development and Production, and Michelle Chan, Director of Development and Production. The company is dedicated to producing film and television projects that amplify voices and stories often overlooked by Hollywood, with a particular emphasis on working-class backgrounds and underrepresented communities.
Waititi is also represented by CAA, Manage-ment, and Yorn Levine Barnes and has the Sony feature Klara And the Sun scheduled for release in 2026. This latest deal underscores Waititi’s position as a leading creative force in the industry and promises a continued stream of innovative and compelling content for Disney’s platforms.
