Taika Waititi on Sam Neill: death is not ‘the end of things’

Taika Waititi has said he does not regard the death of Sam Neill as a definitive end. The director made the remarks at a London event on 12 September commemorating the 10th anniversary of their film Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

Neill, known for his role in Jurassic Park, died in July aged 78. He had announced in March that he was cancer-free after treatment for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as reported by the Press Association.

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A bond rooted in New Zealand

Waititi and Neill developed a close working relationship during the making of Hunt For The Wilderpeople, a 2016 comedy-adventure film set in the New Zealand wilderness. The director told the Press Association that their shared national identity strengthened their connection.

The event in London was attended by Waititi and co-stars Rachel House and Julian Dennison. Waititi wore a white T-shirt and black jeans, a contrast to the formal settings where Neill was often seen in his later years.

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“I see death in a very different way to other people. It’s sad that I don’t get to chat with my friend or hang out, but I’ll see him in a bit. I don’t feel like any of this is the end of things.”

Taika Waititi, director

Waititi said he last saw Neill in March at screenings in New Zealand marking the film’s anniversary. He described their time together as free of regrets and said they remained in contact after the event.

Neill’s unflappable presence on set

The director recalled Neill’s demeanour during filming as consistently calm. Waititi said the actor, who had worked on major productions including The Piano and Event Horizon, was unfazed by the pressures of the shoot.

“Everyone’s stressing out: Will we make our day? The sun’s going down. Can we get this shot?” Waititi said. “Nothing phased him.” He added that Neill’s composure helped put the challenges of filmmaking into perspective.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople follows a young boy who flees into the wilderness and is joined by his uncle, played by Neill. The film is considered Waititi’s breakout hit, establishing his signature blend of humour and pathos.

Since then, Waititi has directed and acted in projects including Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit and What We Do In The Shadows. His work is characterised by its comedic tone and offbeat storytelling, traits evident in his collaborations with Neill.

What happens next

It is unclear whether Waititi plans further events to honour Neill’s legacy. The director has not announced any upcoming projects directly linked to their collaboration. Neill’s final film, Treasure, is scheduled for release in 2025.