Taika Waititi set to direct new Judge Dredd movie with modern twist

Having helmed a pair of Thor films, Taika Waititi is planning to direct a very different kind of comic book movie by taking on Judge Dredd.

Having first appeared in British comic 2000 AD in 1977, Judge Dredd patrols streets in the dystopian future of Mega City One, where he’s both law enforcement and judicial officer, with the power to arrest, convict, sentence, and execute.

His story is a blackly comic satire on authoritarianism and police brutality, most of which was lost in the Sylvester Stallone movie adaptation that hit screens in 1995.

Much better was the 2012 movie Dredd, which starred Karl Urban as the titular judge – and made our list of best comic book movies ever – but failed at the box office, killing plans for a sequel stone-dead. Now however, it looks like the character is being revived for the big screen.

Judge Dredd movie being penned by Iron Man 3 writer

Taika Waititi – who previously directed Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder – is attached to helm this new take on Judge Dredd.

And that take will be written by Drew Pearce, whose credits include Iron Man 3, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, and most recently, The Fall Guy.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Pearce and Waititi both grew up with the books and are friends who have been trying to find a project to work on together for years.”

While details of their specific plans are currently unknown, they’ll be taking inspiration from the comics rather than the previous movies, and leaning “into the world-building and dark humor.”

As per THR: “It is also meant to be a fun sci-fi blockbuster that nonetheless speaks to this moment in culture.”

And like most superhero movies currently in development, it’s hoped the film will “launch a Dredd universe that could be explored with additional movies and shows across various platforms.”

There’s been talk of a Judge Dredd streaming series for years, which this movie will probably put to rest. Though there’s no word regarding when it will happen, with Waititi currently attached to multiple movies and TV shows, including an untitled Star Wars film.

For more comic book action, here’s every Marvel movie ranked from worst to best, and every DC project in development.