Taika Waititi has revealed the final text he received from his late co-star Sam Neill, who died in July at the age of 78. The director, speaking at a London screening to mark the 10th anniversary of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, showed a photo on his phone and recalled the message from April 4th: “Congratulations. You brought the studio, that’s great!” referring to the studio he bought with Jason Momoa in New Zealand.
A Caring Friend
Waititi described Neill as “a very caring, loving person who just wanted the people he loved to be happy.” He remembered how Neill would “check in all the time” and was always supportive. The actor, known for Jurassic Park and The Piano, had made cameos in Waititi’s Thor films despite being “baffled” by the Marvel universe.
Reflecting on Neill’s death, Waititi noted the outpouring of tributes, saying, “The idea that you will be missed is a really cool thing. I think in a way it means you’ve lived a good life. People have got good stories about you and no one’s like, ‘Oh, thank God he’s gone!’”
On Set Memories
Waititi’s fondest memory of Neill on the set of Hunt for the Wilderpeople was his calm demeanor. “He was just very zen about it because he’d been in obviously 100 movies and shows,” he said. “He was a bit of a leveller to have around. He would just keep people at ease.”
Julian Dennison, who played Ricky Baker, called Neill “the man” and recalled how the veteran actor made him feel safe and important. “He made me feel special,” Dennison said, noting Neill’s humbleness even after his Jurassic Park fame.
A Lasting Legacy
Rachel House, who played Paula, struggled to hold back tears when describing her “dear friend.” She said, “The world is not going to be as good without him in it. He was so kind, so gentle. I miss him terribly.”
Hunt for the Wilderpeople remains the highest-grossing entirely Kiwi-produced film, and Waititi attributes its success to being “hopeful.” He said, “The world needs silliness in its art and in film.” The film’s 10th anniversary 4K release is set for August 7 in cinemas and on digital platforms, with UHD and Blu-ray editions following on August 17.
