Taika Waititi may be one of the most talked about directors in Hollywood for some of the strangest reasons for a man in his field. He recently told Wired that before he got his start in filmmaking at the age of 30, he was a painter which sparked even more questions around the man. The earliest small waves the vast majority of fans seem to remember him making was back in 2014 for FX's What We Do in the Shadows where he had several writer, director, and actor credits for the vampire mockumentary.
Those who did not get to experience the unique and ongoing comedy that is the series were hit unexpectedly with the announcement that Waititi would be directing the 2017 Marvel blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok. While he has certainly made his mark in the MCU, it is not the only thing that is keeping him in the headlines.
Taika Worked Hard For His Big Break
Formally starting a filmmaking career at 30 meant different kinds of hurdles for the now 46-year-old to clear. However, though he had a career change it doesn't mean he was oblivious to the industry. In fact, his earliest credit is from a 2002 documentary short where he worked in both the sound and camera departments on The Making of Snakeskin.
Soon after this, he would go on to write and direct his own short film entitled Two Cars, One Night which would come out in 2003. The film was later nominated in 2005 for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film fifteen years before winning for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2020 for his 2019 film Jojo Rabbit.
While there is a significant gap between his awards and nominations, there is less such for his actual credits. In some way, shape, or form, Waititi has had a hand in the industry at least once a year since that 2002 start.
Taika's Relationships Have Made Headlines, Too
Possibly even more interesting than his film history is Taika Waitit's dating history. Back in 2011, Waititi married fellow New Zealand native and film producer Chelsea Winstanley, with whom he had two daughters Matewa Kiritapu and Te Hinekāhu.
Though they remain amicable, the two split in 2018 but kept quiet about it until 2020 after questions arose as to why they were no longer seen together.
However, no one came to question it more than a passing thought until he was continuously spotted with British singer Rita Ora and Thor co-star Tessa Thompson. Fans everywhere then speculated that the three were tangled in a messy love triangle or polygamous relationship.
Either way, all eyes were on him which was big news for someone who wasn't constantly in front of the camera.
Later on, it was confirmed by Waititi and Ora that they were together and had been since early 2021.
The two even attended the Met Gala together, and are believed to have gotten engaged earlier this year, according to reports from Vanity Fair and fan watch on a possible engagement ring. The two have received immense support from social media and are each other's biggest fans.
The Internet Loves Our Flag Means Death
This past pride month meant a lot to many people all across the United States, it also brought the LGBTQ+ series to the spotlight. This meant that HBO Max's Our Flag Means Death in which Taika Waititi portrays deuteragonist Captain Blackbeard alongside protagonist Stede Bonnet portrayed by Rhys Darby.
The rom-com takes place in the early 1700s and follows Stede as he goes through the trials and tribulations of life from aristocracy to piracy and discovering his sexuality.
Though the first season aired throughout the entirety of March 2022, releasing several episodes per week. The show has been featured on several lists about the newest LGBTQ+ shows worth watching including E!'s best of 2022 where they make mention of its unexpected and heartwarming stories.
After directing the first episode, Waititi's character finally took center stage in episode three and stole the show. His portrayal along with the chemistry of the rest of the cast made for one of the most talked-about shows this past pride month.
When Will Taika Waititi Be In The Headlines Again?
With an incredibly busy and meaningful last few years, it's hard to imagine Waititi slowing down anytime soon. Waititi has currently completed the screenplay for a 2023 film entitled Next Goal Wins, is working on an untitled Star Wars film in 2025, and just confirmed that he will be writing the screenplay for a reboot of the 1988 film, Akira. These are, of course only some of his upcoming formal works and he is not the type to stop working.
Knowing his extroverted and colorful personality, fans can also expect more than just industry news from him before they know it. If his engagement rumors turn out to be true, fans can even expect a wedding in the near future.