His countrys ongoing, avocado crimewave…
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Hi, Taika, how are you?
TAIKA WAITITI:Im good, Im good.
I have a mouthful of toast.
Credit: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
No, with avocado.
So, at any second this line could go dead as somebody mugs you for your avocado?
[Laughs] The perils!
The Orchard
The perils of filmmaking!
[Laughs] Its definitely based on my experiences of watching films like that.
Like, I had a copy ofBlues Brotherson VHS, which I used to watch once a week.
Any of those films with big car chases and ridiculous over the top characters.
I said, Were going to do that.
And theyre like, Well what does it hit?
I dont care, its just going to fly in the air.
So, we just did it.
This is an adaptation of a book calledWild Pork and Watercress, by Barry Crump.
How did you get involved in the project?
I got asked to adapt the book, I think, back in 2005.
I hadnt made anything of my own at that point.
So, I thought, Yeah, sure.
The book is not funny.
The book is more a poetic slow journey.
Its a beautiful book, but its not funny, and its not quite suited to the cinema.
But I tried to make it this dark brooding thing and it was going to be an arthouse film.
Then, I decided to leave the project and go make my own films.
I read [my original script] again and I said, Thank God no one made this!
I rewrote it, and made it more entertaining, and funny, and more of an adventure.
Also, a lot of kids couldnt go and seeWhat We Do in the Shadows.
We didnt get as big a box office as wed hoped.
How did you cast the two leads?
He spent all this time overseas.
I think I had a little bit of hero worship for Sam for a long time.
And then, Julian, I didnt audition or anything.
I just gave him the role.
When this project came up, I knew instantly, Okay, this is the kid for the film.
What was it like directing Sam Neill?
Hes a very relaxing person in that he makes everyone very at ease and chilled out.
Very generous with information, and time, and stories.
So, he was basically reprising that character.
There was just something really cool about that and I think he really loved that.
He did hisownpress tour!
To be honest, that kind of sounds like an excuse to visit a lot of pubs.
Im sure it was, Im sure it was.
In the film it certainly looks like you were shooting out in the middle of nowhere.
What was that like?
Um, it was horrible.
Its such a weird thing we do.
If you describe what filmmaking is to someone, it feels like a preposterous job.
Its an incredible experience.
I love growing up in a beautiful country and Ive always loved being outdoors.
So, being able to do that while youre at work, theres nothing better.
How is it going withThor: Ragnarok?
Were still in prep at the moment.
I dont want to jinx anything, but I feel pretty good about the way things are going.
Have you picked up Thors hammer yet?
Yeah, I have actually.
It didnt make me feel worthy, it made me feel responsible, like I had to build something.
you’re able to see the trailer forHunt for the Wilderpeople, below.
