The New Jedi Master of the “Star Wars” Galaxy
The “Star Wars” galaxy no longer belongs to George Lucas. Instead, it’s now under the guidance of his apprentice, Dave Filoni. Over the 2000s, Filoni worked closely with Lucas while overseeing the creation of “The Clone Wars” animated series, which became one of the most significant projects for fans between the prequel and sequel trilogies. His role in the franchise has expanded over the years, leading to his current position as Lucasfilm president and chief creative officer, a role he took on in January.
“I’m very excited and feel very privileged to be in this position,” Filoni, 51, says. “I learned from the best – not just George, but the people that were foundational to Lucasfilm during the prequel era, some from the original era.”
Filoni is now responsible for shaping the future of the “Star Wars” universe, while also playing a key role in its present. He is co-writer and producer on “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” set to hit theaters on May 22. This film marks a transition from the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” following the adventures of armored bounty hunter Mando (Pedro Pascal) and his Force-sensitive adopted son, Grogu.
A New Chapter in “Star Wars” Storytelling
Filoni brought in filmmaker Jon Favreau to create the show, and as director of the movie, Favreau weaves in inspirations from classic filmmakers like Ray Harryhausen and Willis H. O’Brien. However, the influence of George Lucas is still evident throughout the film.
“It’s not just ‘Star Wars’ stuff either. There’s a lot of ‘American Graffiti’ in this,” Favreau says. He points to a scene where Mando wants to unplug the exhaust of his starship, the Razor Crest, to make it faster. This moment reminds him of a scene in “Graffiti” where John Milner is preparing his car for a race. “We draw from everything George has done, but also everything that influenced him,” Favreau adds, mentioning influences like “Flash Gordon.”
Despite these nods to the past, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” diverges from previous “Star Wars” films in several ways. There is no opening crawl, only opening credits. Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson uses a variety of soundscapes in his score instead of the traditional symphony orchestra. Additionally, the phrase “May the Force be with you” is absent.
Embracing Change and Creativity
“You’re always looking for new things,” Filoni explains. “When George made ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ he didn’t just sit on what he did in ‘A New Hope.’ He furthered things.” Filoni reflects on how much the galaxy has evolved since the original trilogy, noting that many elements we take for granted today, such as walkers and a city in the clouds, were once unknown.
“Adding new stuff is just as important as honoring the past,” he says. “You understand the great, giant shoulders you’re standing on when you get to work on something like ‘Star Wars,’ but you also want to add your own page to it as you go forward.”
While Filoni won’t reveal too much about upcoming projects, he hints at exciting developments. Several movies are reportedly in the works, including one that brings back Daisy Ridley’s Rey. Another film, “Star Wars: Starfighter” starring Ryan Gosling, is set for release on May 28, 2027.
Guiding the Future of “Star Wars”
Filoni’s main goal in this new phase of “Star Wars” history is to bring in talent who love the franchise and maintain balance in the Force. Jon Favreau praises Filoni’s ability to encourage creativity and steer projects away from potential missteps. “He has a really good sense of how something’s going to play and how the audience is going to feel,” Favreau says. “He’s very much in touch with that.”
Lessons from the Past
What old lesson does Filoni rely on daily? “George used to tell me things like ‘Dare to be great’ because when you do that, you’re really putting yourself out there, you’re taking risks, you’re taking chances,” Filoni says. He compares this to Luke going down the trench run, asking himself, “Am I really going to be able to do this?” and pushing through to achieve something amazing.
“I enjoy helping get the best out of everybody around me,” Filoni adds. “Being kind of like a little Obi-Wan when people need it to help them understand the Force and guide them through this galaxy.”
