It appears that Scarlett Johansson may have been envious of her fellow ‘Avengers’ actors Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo for working with the talented director Taika Waititi on “Thor: Ragnarok.” Given Waititi’s reputation for making filmmaking a fun experience, it is hardly surprising to learn that Johansson is keen to collaborate with the director on his next project. According to Variety, she will have the opportunity to do so on his upcoming movie, “Jojo Rabbit.” Set during World War II, the film centers around a young German boy who discovers that his mother (played by Johansson) has been hiding a Jewish girl. To help cope with the situation, the boy creates an imaginary friend (played by Waititi) who happens to be Adolph Hitler. While this storyline may not seem typical of Waititi’s work, reports suggest that the same wit and humor present in his other films will feature in “Jojo Rabbit,” with his version of Hitler being different from the infamous figure in history books.
According to Waititi in an interview with The Wrap, “Jojo Rabbit” is his own take on a lonely boy’s idol – his father. However, this version of Adolf is not the one we’re familiar with. Instead, he’s portrayed as charming, whimsical, and innocent. This movie marks a change of pace for Scarlett Johansson, who has mostly been known for her roles in action and comedy films such as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Waititi, renowned for writing and directing his own unique style of comedy, has also demonstrated his versatility as a director. He successfully transitioned to big budget superhero films with “Thor: Ragnarok,” impressively retaining his signature style. Waititi continues to expand his repertoire by currently filming the pilot for the FX series “What We Do in the Shadows,” featuring his original castmate, Jemaine Clement. His newest project, “Jojo Rabbit,” is set to begin production this spring and release date is yet to be announced.