Taika Waititi's Next Project Snags Michael Fassbender

It appears it is Taika Waititi’s world and we are, thankfully, just living in it. According to Fox Searchlight’s recent press release, the director/writer/star of the heartwarming satire Jojo Rabbit has begun production on his next project, Next Goal Wins. With Thor: Love and Thunder coming out in 2021, we now know we’ll be getting three straight years of Waititi content. And the cast he’s assembled for Next Goal Wins makes this fact even sweeter.

From Fox Searchlight:

NEXT GOAL WINS is written by Waititi and Iain Morris, and stars Michael Fassbender (STEVE JOBS, 12 YEARS A SLAVE) and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale, US).

The addition of Fassbender to any project automatically puts the film into a special category as the Oscar-nominated actor brings gravitas and intensity to any role. And Elisabeth Moss, who has had quite an impressive 2019, with the release of Her Smell, Us, The Kitchen, a new season of The Handmaid’s Tale, and the trailer release of the highly anticipated The Invisible Man remake, is always a welcome presence.

“We have such an amazing cast and crew behind this film,” said Waititi, “and I’m stoked to be partnering once again with the lovely people at Fox Searchlight Pictures.”

As of November 14th, production had begun in Honolulu. The new film “tells the story of the American Samoa soccer team, who suffered the worst loss in World Cup history, losing to Australia 31-0 in 2001. With the 2014 World Cup approaching, the team recruits a down on his luck, maverick coach (Fassbender) to help turn their fate around.”

Further details on casting:

Rounding out the ensemble cast are Oscar Kightley (Aroha Bridge, THE BREAKER UPPERERS), David Fane (The Barefoot Bandits, Westside), Beulah Koale (Hawaii Five-0, ENEMY WITHIN), Lehi Falepapalangi (Future Man, Hawaii Five-0), Semu Filipo (Harry, SHOW OF HANDS), Uli Latukefu (ALIEN: COVENANT, MARCO POLO), Rachel House (MOANA, THOR: RAGNAROK) and Kaimana in her debut role.