Taika Waititi has cast a non-binary Samoan actor for his upcoming film, Next Goal Wins.
Kaimana identifies as a fa’afafine – the widely accepted third-gender/non-binary role in Samoa, American Samoa and the Samoan diaspora.
They will be portraying Jaiyah Saelua in the film, who was the first non-binary player to compete in a men’s FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Next Goal Wins is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name, which tells the true story of the American Samoan football team’s fight to stop being seen as the ‘world’s worst football team’.
After having the biggest losing streak in international football history, the team hired Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen to try and turn their luck around and help them to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brasil.
Speaking to Variety about the cast, the Thor: Ragnarok director made it clear that he only ever intended on casting a non-binary person to play Jaiyah.
‘It was vital,’ he explained. ‘There was no way we would have approached it in any other way.’
Explaining how the fa’afafine community are regarded in New Zealand and Polynesia, he added: ‘It’s an accepted part of the culture and of life. It’s very inclusive…Very respected.’
Taika Waititi casting a nonbinary actor for a nonbinary role… let the stanning ascend to a new level! pic.twitter.com/ZsmAIPuswB
— Tess Fabeck ✌? (@tkfabeck) November 15, 2019
Fans of the director were thrilled to hear about his inclusive casting choice as one tweeted: ‘TAIKA WAITITI NATION WE KEEP ON WINNING.’
‘Taika Waititi casting a nonbinary actor for a nonbinary role… let the stanning ascend to a new level!’ another added.
Production on the flick started this month in Honolulu, Hawaii and Michael Fassbender has been cast to play the team’s coach.
Meanwhile Elisabeth Moss, David Fane, Oscar Kightley, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu and Rachel House.
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