Taika Waititi’s New Movie Based on 5-Year-Old Sci-Fi Masterpiece Book Gets a Very Exciting Release Update

Taika Waititi seemed poised for major Hollywood success from the mid-2010s onward. He first gained recognition with popular independent films like What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, then revitalized the Thor movies with the critically acclaimed Thor: Ragnarok. He even won an Oscar for his unique comedy-drama, Jojo Rabbit. However, his recent films, Thor: Love and Thunder and Next Goal Wins, haven’t performed as well, diminishing some of his previous momentum. Now, Waititi needs a hit, and he may have a chance to regain his footing this year.

Taika Waititi recently told Screen Daily that his new film, Klara and the Sun, is expected to be released this year. While a specific date hasn’t been set, he says discussions with Sony are underway, and they’re considering a potential debut at film festivals.

Klara and the Sun Could Revitalize Taika Waititi’s Career

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel, Klara and the Sun follows Klara, a robot who forms a close bond with a family. The story explores themes of love, loneliness, and loss as Klara navigates human emotions and offers companionship. Given the novel’s critical success, the film adaptation has a strong foundation. Klara and the Sun promises to be a moving and thought-provoking science fiction film, using its unique premise to examine what it means to be human.

Taika Waititi became known for films that skillfully combined humor and heartfelt emotion, connecting with audiences in a unique way. His upcoming project, Klara and the Sun, seems like a perfect chance for him to return to that style. The story centers on a teenage girl named Josie who is ill and forms a close relationship with Klara, and while their interactions promise to be entertaining, the film will also likely be deeply moving. Successfully balancing these elements is challenging, but Waititi has consistently demonstrated in his best work that he can deliver a story like this with both warmth and impact.

Talk about showing Klara and the Sun at film festivals suggests Sony Pictures believes it’s a strong film. The studio likely wants to get it in the running for awards this year, and using festivals would help create excitement before it hits theaters. While science fiction films don’t often win Oscars, some have succeeded, and director Taika Waititi is well-regarded by the Academy. The film also stars popular actors like Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, which could lead to powerful performances that resonate with voters.

2026 was shaping up to be a fantastic year for science fiction, with several promising films already planned, including Project Hail Mary, Disclosure Day, and The Dog Stars. Klara and the Sun was set to be another major release, and it would be interesting to see how it stacked up against the others. Despite new movies from renowned directors like Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott, Klara and the Sun had the potential to become one of the year’s best sci-fi films—and perhaps even one of the best films overall. Hopefully, Taika Waititi was able to recapture the special touch that made his previous work so successful.

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2026-01-28 18:44