Taika Waititi Introduces Najia to Brawl Stars

Taika Waititi, renowned filmmaker, has expanded his creative reach by collaborating with Supercell to introduce Najia, the newest fighter in the popular mobile game Brawl Stars. Supercell, the studio behind hit franchises like Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, launched Brawl Stars in late 2018.

About Brawl Stars and Najia

Brawl Stars is a multiplayer online battle arena where players compete in various game modes, from battle royale-style showdowns to Brawl Ball. The game boasts nearly a dozen game modes and a roster of 100 Brawlers – until now. Najia, the 101st Brawler, debuted on April 1st.

Najia's Mysterious Origins

Najia is a puzzle-obsessed character residing in Pyramid Quest within the game’s Starr Park. She has a complex relationship with Finx and a penchant for rescuing those lost in the attraction’s time-warping puzzles. In the game, Najia is a Mythic Damage Dealer, utilizing her “Ssssnake Delivery” attack to poison opponents and her “Danger Noodles” Super ability to unleash multiple venomous snakes.

Waititi's Creative Process & Initial Vision

To celebrate Najia’s arrival, Waititi teamed up with Supercell for a special animated short. In an interview with ScreenRant, Waititi discussed his involvement, stating he “knew we were going to get on really early on in the process” after being impressed by Supercell’s previous work, particularly the “Starr Park Investor Video,” which he described as “really dark and twisted.”

Overwriting and Refining the Backstory

Waititi emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, explaining he needed to understand Supercell’s vision before writing. He initially developed a much more detailed backstory for Najia, admitting, “I overwrote that part.” The original script, “about six or seven pages,” included “a bunch of different things from her childhood.”

However, Supercell guided him towards a more focused narrative. As Waititi explained, “We just want to talk about the puzzles, and how she’s always been obsessed with puzzles.” He appreciated the feedback, noting it’s “really great having them to work with, because they can help guide me based on what they know and what they want to reveal.”

From Arcade Games to Mobile Gaming

Waititi shared that his love for gaming began in the 1980s in New Zealand, where arcades were the primary way to play video games. He was introduced to Brawl Stars by his brother-in-law, Don, who also has connections with Supercell. This led to discussions about a potential collaboration.

Enjoying the Advertising Space

Waititi also discussed his recent foray into advertising, including three Super Bowl ads. He enjoys the creative freedom advertising offers, stating it allows him to “keep those muscles active” between film projects. He’s found the experience fun and rewarding, especially the opportunity to work with companies like PepsiCo and Lay’s.

Excitement for the Future of Brawl Stars

Waititi expressed excitement about Najia’s addition to Brawl Stars and the potential for future collaborations with Supercell. He was surprised by the game’s vast and immersive world and the passionate community surrounding it. Najia is now available in Brawl Stars, which is free-to-play on Apple iOS, Android, and Google Play.

  • Game: Brawl Stars
  • Released: December 12, 2018
  • Developer: Supercell
  • Publisher: Supercell
  • ESRB: E10+ for Fantasy Violence