Taika Waititi is Proud of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’

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As a long-time fan of Taika Waititi’s work, I can’t help but chuckle at his love-hate relationship with “What We Do in the Shadows.” On one hand, it’s understandable that he might feel the series has overstayed its welcome, considering the initial idea seemed like stretching a five-minute concept into an eternity. But on the other hand, who am I to argue with six seasons of hilarious vampire shenanigans?

Taika Waititi, well-known director of films such as Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Love and Thunder, has expressed conflicting feelings about the TV series What We Do in the Shadows. On one hand, he feels it’s had a long run, but on the other, he takes pride in the show he significantly contributed to creating. In simpler terms, Taika seems a bit undecided about the length of the show but is clearly proud of his involvement!

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, marking the end of the show’s sixth season, director Waititi discussed the distinctive setting and characters that made the series stand out. Despite some criticisms suggesting the concept had become repetitive, the program maintained its appeal for many viewers due to its innovative storylines, a long list of notable guest appearances, and exceptional television special effects.

Waititi playfully commented: “It seemed excessive at times, but I’m still pleased with it. During filming, I’d tell Jemaine [Clement], ‘This concept feels like a five-minute sketch we’re expanding into a full movie.’ Yet here we are, having produced six seasons worth of the same idea.

Which ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Is Actually Better?

Taika Waititi is one of the brilliant minds behind the horror-comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” a 2014 mockumentary that follows a film crew as they document the everyday lives of four vampires residing in Wellington, New Zealand. The production was widely praised, so it’s not surprising that producers and stars Jemaine Clement and Waititi were eager to transform this concept into an American TV series for television audiences.

The result was a hilarious expansion of what Waititi and Clement did in the movie. Featuring several characters — each with their own story line and fascinating personality — the show follows the same premise, only this time the vampires live in Staten Island, New York, and have a lot more going on in their lives. Launched in 2019, the television iteration follows four vampires played by Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Mark Proksch, as they live with their human familiar roommate, played by Harvey Guillén.

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On several occasions, Waititi has graced the show while portraying his character Viago, yet it seems he’s not as fond of acting in this role. Instead, he prefers to focus on producing duties (for this particular project). Moreover, he acknowledges that the characters Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, Colin, and Guillermo are, in numerous aspects, funnier than those from the initial movie.

My most cherished moment was avoiding the use of vampire fangs myself while making others wear them instead. This, I must say, was particularly delightful for me. Moreover, these individuals seemed to be even funnier than our group.

Initially, “What We Do in the Shadows” television series was perceived as a comedy show with heavy reliance on its film prequel’s mockumentary style and connections to Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, both notable figures in cult comedy due to their work on “Flight of the Conchords.” Over time, however, the show developed its unique identity, distancing itself from the movie, and focusing instead on the captivating characters that have made it a fan favorite. Nowadays, when people hear the title “What We Do in the Shadows,” they don’t think of the film but rather the successful television series. It seems clear that Waititi has emerged victorious with his involvement in both versions.

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2024-12-10 05:02