Waititi Admits Jealousy Over Peele's Brilliant Horror Masterpiece
The acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker reveals his envy for Jordan Peele's innovative thriller, calling it the smartest concept in modern cinema.
Creative rivalry has fueled artistic excellence throughout history. The Beatles pushed The Beach Boys to new heights. Warhol's work influenced Picasso's later pieces. Today, Taika Waititi openly admits his jealousy toward what he considers the decade's finest horror achievement.
The New Zealand filmmaker experienced a remarkable five-year run that transformed him into one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors. His vampire mockumentary "What We Do in the Shadows" from 2014 showcased his unique comedic voice. Two years later, "The Hunt for the Wilderpeople" proved his versatility behind the camera.
From Independent Films to Marvel Success
Critical acclaim for these projects led Marvel Studios to hand Waititi the keys to "Thor: Ragnarok." The colorful superhero spectacle earned nearly $1bn worldwide while injecting genuine humor into the franchise. His retro-inspired visual effects and inventive storytelling marked a major shift for comic book movies.
"Jojo Rabbit" demonstrated Waititi's dramatic range in 2019. The World War II black comedy starring Scarlett Johansson earned six Oscar nominations. Waititi took home the Academy Award for Best Screenplay, cementing his status as a major filmmaking talent.
The Film That Sparked Creative Envy
Disney also tapped Waititi to direct episodes of "The Mandalorian" during this period. Around the same time, Jordan Peele voiced a character in "Toy Story 4." But it's Peele's directorial work that truly captures Waititi's admiration.
"My favorite film of the last 10 years was (Peele's groundbreaking horror) 'Get Out'," Waititi told NPR. "As a filmmaker, I'm very jealous because it's such a smart idea."
He expanded on his praise: "And often, the films these days, there's no really good idea behind them. It's just like, I'm going to do a character study, and I'm going to do a film with a divorce. I'm going to do a film about a kid who doesn't know his dad – which is all my films – but, you know, to have, like, a concept that, oh, these people are body snatching African Americans, and this guy has been, like, basically catfished into this community is just really cool."
Get Out's Cultural Impact
Released in 2017, "Get Out" started as a word-of-mouth sensation before becoming a cultural phenomenon. The psychological thriller starring Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams now regularly appears atop critics' lists of the century's best films. Peele won his own Oscar for Best Screenplay the following year.
The film's financial success was equally impressive. A $4mn budget generated $250mn in worldwide box office revenue. This success launched Peele into Hollywood's top tier, leading to equally acclaimed follow-ups "Us" and "Nope," which again featured Kaluuya.
After "Thor: Love and Thunder" received mixed reviews in 2022 despite strong box office numbers, Waititi shifted focus. He's currently executive producing the TV adaptation of "What We Do in the Shadows" while developing untitled projects for both Star Wars and Flash Gordon. His upcoming fantasy film "Fing!" tells the story of librarians helping their daughter search for creatures from her favorite books.