UPDATE, 7/26/19 – Following the release of the first official Jojo Rabbit trailer, which you can watch below, the movie’s official Twitter page had fun with an apropos meme: that scene of Adolf Hitler losing his s*** in the 2004 World War II movie Downfall, which was among the most parodied clips on the internet a few years back.
— Jojo Rabbit (@jojorabbitmovie) July 26, 2019
7/23/19 – After What We Do in the Shadows and Thor: Ragnarok, we would follow Taika Waititi straight into Hela’s waiting army of undead Draugr soldiers if he asked. And now, after Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, life is merely prelude to the release of the director’s next MCU film, 2021′ Thor: Love and Thunder. Fortunately we don’t have to march off to fight the Goddess of death or wait that long to enjoy another one of his films, though his next movie could be his weirdest yet. He released the first teaser for his satirical comedy Jojo Rabbit, where he stars as an imaginary Adolf Hitler.
Based on author Christine Leunens’ novel Caging Skies, the film follows a young boy in Hitler’s army who discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. But despite that description, this is definitely a comedy, because “Jojo must confront his naïve patriotism” aided by his only friend, an imaginary Adolf Hitler.
This looks one part Wes Anderson, one part The Producers, one part Sorry to Bother You, and 100% Taika Waititi (who also wrote the script). He’s not the only big name involved; the film stars Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, and Alfie Allen, as well as young stars Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin McKenzie.
The movie was selected for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival in September, and will arrive in theaters on October 18.
Here’s a poster. #JojoRabbit is an official selection of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. #TIFF19 @jojorabbitmovie #JojoRabbit @RebelWilson @AlfieEAllen @StephenMerchant #ThomasinMcKenzie #RomanGriffinDavis #SamRockwell #ScarlettJohansson pic.twitter.com/XWycFn9bgM
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) July 23, 2019
Playing a super silly Hitler to help fight hate in the year 2019? That’s exactly the type of movie we’d follow Taika Waititi into theaters.
Featured Image: Fox Searchlight