Director Taika Waititi Says ‘Star Wars’ Show ‘The Mandalorian’ Closer in Tone to OG Trilogy

Last year it was announced that Thor: Ragnarok and What We Do in the Shadows director Taika Waititi would be directing an episode of The Mandalorian, the live-action Star Wars series set to debut on Disney's yet-to-launch streaming service Disney+. Speaking with Slashfilm, the New Zealand director-writer-actor finally gave some hints on what fans can expect when the series finally arrives.

"Star Wars is very different to Marvel style," Waititi explained, indicating that some of his signature dry-humor won't be making it into the series. "They know that the tone of the first films really should be kind of adhered to. That’s what the fans like and you can’t really disrespect it I guess is a nicer way of saying can’t put too many jokes in. There’s a bit, definitely my tone is in there, the dialogue and stuff like that."

He indicated The Mandalorian will still be a lot of fun, praising Jon Favreau's writing. "The scripts are really great," he said. "It was every kid’s dream just to see a stormtrooper. When you’re doing these scenes with like 50 or 60 of them, it’s pretty amazing. I loved it."

Game of Thrones fan-fave Pedro Pascal will take the lead. He’ll be joined by Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), director Werner Herzog (in acting mode!), Nick Nolte, and Gina Carano (Deadpool), and Emily Swallow. Childish Gambino secret-weapon Ludwig Göransson is handling musical duties following his transcendent Black Panther score.

Disney+ also has a live-action series starring Diego Luna of Rogue One en route.

During the press run he's currently on, Waititi also teased that despite a number of new projects on the horizon for him, he's still up for doing another Marvel film. "I'm still hanging out with those guys and talking about new stuff," he added, as IndieWire notes. He did say he isn't interested in taking over Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 from James Gunn, who was unceremoniously booted from the project last year for a number of controversial old tweets.

"For me, those are James Gunn’s films," he said. "Going into something like that with his stamp all over his films, would be like going into someone’s house and saying, ‘Hey, I’m your new dad, and this is how we make peanut butter sandwiches now. It feels kind of awkward."

Meanwhile, Taika Waititi debuted the trailer for his long-awaited What We Do in the Shadows TV adaption for FX. Based on his 2014 movie of the same name with Jermaine Clement, the comedy series follows three vampires living in New York City. Just like the film, which itself was based on a 2005 short film, Waititi will be serving as both director and co-writer. It's set to premiere on FX on March 27.