Taika Waititi is mixing things up with his sports comedy-drama, Next Goal Wins, which has a release date of April 21, 2023. The film will be written and directed by the Thor filmmaker. Iain Morris (The Inbetweeners) will co-write.
The film follows the unorthodox coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), who was tasked to turn these players into pros. The infamous match of the American Samoa team became known for their brutal loss as the final score ended at 31-0. Fassbender will be joined by Elizabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), Angus Sampson (Fargo), Frankie Adams (The Expanse), and Rachel House (Moana).
Taika Waititi will produce Next Goal Wins with Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, Jonathan Cavendish, and Steve Jamison. Kathryn Dean, Josh McLaglen, Gabby Revilla Lugo, Andy Serkis, and Will Tennant will executive produce.
Taika Waititi sets spring release date for Next Goal Wins
Next Goal Wins is a part of a streak Taika Waititi has been on as he went from an indie filmmaker to a superstar. His early works include Boy, What We Do in the Shadows, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. While gaining a reputation in the indie scene, he blew up from taking Chris Hemsworth’s Thor in a new direction with 2017’s Ragnarok. He then won Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit. Most recently, he has come out with Reservation Dogs, Our Flag Means Death, Thor: Love and Thunder, and has had multiple seasons of the TV series take on What We Do in the Shadows.
The future looks bright with Next Goal Wins and other projects for Taika Waititi. The director has lined up a Star Wars project, which he got his first taste of after directing an episode of The Mandalorian. Beyond his take on the beloved sci-fi franchise, he is turning the Disneyland ride Tower of Terror into a movie. He will also direct The Incal and Akira.
