Even in the midst of a global pandemic, Taika Waititi continues to be one of the most ridiculously busy people in Hollywood. The Kiwi director has Next Goal Wins in the can, is gearing up to direct Thor: Love And Thunder, has the small matter of a Star War on his schedule, two Roald Dahl animated adaptations for Netflix, and appearances in the likes of Free Guy and The Suicide Squad coming up. And among all of that, the guy has found time to direct a Christmas advert for Coca-Cola, sure to be inducing sobs worldwide in the coming weeks.
If you’re looking for Ragnarok-ian wackiness or that Wilderpeople-esque homemade aesthetic, you won’t find that here – but Waititi’s ad is full of unabashed emotion with its story of a dad desperately trying to get his daughter’s Christmas letter to Santa in time for the big day. Watch it here, and be sure to have tissues on standby.
Sweet, right? All that’s missing is a cameo from Rachel House. Beyond this unexpected Waititi treat, it’s hard to say which of his many, many upcoming projects will reach us first – Free Guy was due for release this December but has been pushed back again without a date, while Next Goal Wins is well into post-production but doesn’t have a release window right now. Providing it doesn’t move, we’ll see him in The Suicide Squad (and find out exactly who he’s playing) when it hits screens in August 2021. For now, we wish you a Taika Christmas – and a Waititi new year.