Beloved director Taika Waititi has skewered Todd Phillips, the filmmaker who recently said he abandoned comedies like The Hangover because audiences are caught up in “woke culture.”
That said, you should temper your expectations.
Waititi did not issue a three-slide Notes app statement about comedy in film, goad Phillips into a debate on his YouTube channel, or go absolutely hogwild on his Instagram Story.
Waititi challenged Phillip’s assertion by cracking a joke.
Lol he funny. https://t.co/bvTVCutqEJ
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) October 2, 2019
Yeah, that’s basically it.
Last night, Waititi joined a chorus of movie-watchers and comedians alike who have questioned Phillip’s recent assertions that “irreverent” comedies are too difficult to make in 2019 because audiences are now overly-sensitive to risky content.
Phillips, the man behind the much-debated Joker, told Vanity Fair that “all the fucking funny guys are like, ‘Fuck this shit, because I don’t want to offend you.’”
That statement, nestled in a profile of Joker star Joaquin Phoenix, sparked some heated debate online about whether audiences are now averse to edgy content – or if certain comedians are a little behind the curve.
Very sad to hear that comedy doesn’t work anymore. My condolences to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kumail Nanjiani, Tiffany Haddish, Jim Gaffigan, Tyler Perry, Melissa McCarthy, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Nathan Fielder, Issa Rae, John Oliver, Awkwafina, Hannah Gadsby, Adam Sandler, Taika W https://t.co/nUNjOuGpbH
— Melissa Hunter (@himelissahunter) October 1, 2019
Waititi’s input here is notable for a few reasons, too. While Phillips said his gritty and grim approach to Joker was partially driven by the wokeness pervading cinema audiences, Waititi’s own superhero film, Thor: Ragnarok, was praised for being the funniest instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
There’s also the fact that Waititi is not averse to taking a risk, as demonstrated by the fact he plays Adolf Hitler in upcoming satire Jojo Rabbit.
Todd Phillips: waaaa woke culture is making comedy impossible
Taika Waititi: bitch I’m literally playing Hitler in a comedy and Woke Twitter loves my ass for it
— The Low De-Evolutionary (@tonygoldmark) October 1, 2019
Joker hits Aussie cinema screens today, but thanks to Phillips and light-hearted jabs from folks like Waititi, the ~ discourse ~ around it will linger long after the flick leaves the silver screen.
