Know for his distinctive brand of comedy, which has earned him a cult following, Taika Waititi, who has helmed pictures like "Eagle Vs. Shark" and "What We Do In The Shadows," didn’t seem like the obvious choice when he was tapped by Marvel to direct "Thor: Ragnarok." But according to Marvel honcho Kevin Feige, there’s a method to the madness.
“We choose from a pool of filmmakers not who have done big, giant films before but who have done interesting things that made us stop and go, ‘That’s cool,’” he told Vulture. “That’s the criterion for a meeting. Then we need to see if they’re up to the task of working on something this collaborative and this intensive — because a very expensive, big-budget movie that has a release date is inherently intense.”
Well, it’s safe to say that the meeting went well for Waititi and he’s game for the blockbuster challenge, but first he’ll release his latest indie, "Hunt For The Wilderpeople." Based on the book "Wild Pork And Watercress" by Barry Crump, and starring Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, and Oscar Kightley, it tells the story of the unlikely adventure that unfolds for the orphan Ricky and his Uncle Hec. Here’s the synopsis:
Raised on hip-hop and foster care, defiant city kid Ricky gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella, the cantankerous Uncle Hec, and dog Tupac. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family. Director Taika Waititi (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, upcoming THOR: RAGNORAK) masterfully weaves lively humor with emotionally honest performances by Sam Neill and Julian Dennison. A hilarious, touching crowd-pleaser, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE reminds us about the journey that growing up is (at any age) and those who help us along the way.
"Hunt For The Wilderpeople" opens on June 24th.