Taika Waititi Attached To Direct New Judge Dredd Reboot With Writer Drew Pearce

Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) is lining up his next project, and it’s not Star Wars or Akira. It’s a far more unexpected existing IP. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Taika Waititi is attached to collaborate with writer Drew Pearce (The Fall Guy, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) on a new live-action reboot of Judge Dredd, 2000 AD’s iconic comic book character.

Waititi is attached to direct the new reboot with script duties by Pearce as part of a new package that recently hit the Hollywood marketplace. THR notes that the collaboration has studio heads and executives taking notice with the package hitting the Hollywood marketplace, calling it “one of the hottest packages of the year.”

Producers on the project include Dredd rights holders Chris Kingsley, Jason Kingsley, and Ben Smith of Rebellion Developments, Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, Jeremy Platt, Natalie Viscuso, and Pearce. THR reports that Pearce and Waititi have been fans of the Dredd comics for years, and the friends have been looking to find a project to collaborate on for years.

Judge Dredd, created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, debuted in 2000 AD in 1977. The story follows the grim adventures of the helmeted police officer in the bleak, post-apocalyptic future metropolis of Mega-City One. Judge Joseph Dredd acts as part of the authoritarian law enforcement corps that empowers them as the judge, jury, and executioner of all suspects. The more adult-themed comics often take an extremely satirical view of the judicial system and society as a whole. Dredd proved to be one of the most popular characters after his debut, with over 100 million comics and graphic novels for the character that have been sold.

Dredd previously made his theatrical debut with the big-budget Hollywood production, Judge Dredd, starring none other than Sylvester Stallone as the eponymous antihero. The film was a critical and commercial flop. The character was rebooted on the big screen later on in 2012 with DREDD, with Karl Urban taking over the role of Judge Joseph Dredd. The film was much more warmly received by critics and fans alike, but the film did not perform well in theaters. However, it did eventually draw a fervent cult following later on.

Waititi and Pearce’s pitch reportedly takes more inspiration from the comics than past adaptations, and it’s said to lean more into the world-building and dark humor of the dystopic future setting. Additionally, the filmmakers want the movie to be a “fun sci-fi blockbuster” that will speak to the current moment in our culture. The hope is that the new reboot will finally launch a Dredd cinematic universe that could be explored with additional movies and shows across various platforms.

That might be easier said than done. IM Global and Rebellion previously announced a planned live-action television series titled Judge Dredd: Mega-City One back in May 2017. The series was described as an ensemble show following a team of Judges working in Mega-City One. However, over eight years later, nothing ever materialized with the series.

The logline is being kept under the visor, but the pitch is said to take inspiration more from the comics than the previous screen iterations, leaning into the world-building and dark humor. It is also meant to be a fun sci-fi blockbuster that nonetheless speaks to this moment in culture. The desire is to see the movie launch a Dredd universe that could be explored with additional movies and shows across various platforms.

It remains to be seen if the third time will be the charm with Taika Waititi directing Judge Dredd.