Taiki Waititi’s latest failure underlines how dramatically things have gone wrong for a Hollywood figure who was critically adored not so long ago. The actor-writer-director’s early output speaks of a filmmaker with a distinct vision and a remarkably developed voice. While Waititi’s first film, Eagle vs. Shark, saw mixed reviews, 2010-2016 saw the director deliver an impressive run of acclaimed New Zealand indie comedies, consisting of Boy, What We Do in the Shadows, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The massive critical and commercial success of Thor: Ragnarok subsequently secured Waititi’s reputation as one of cinema’s most exciting new directors.
