Summary
The face ofStar Wars, Dave Filoni, has received a promotion at Lucasfilm to Chief Creative Officer, giving him creative control over everyStar Warsproject. If he thought he was busy before, he’s going to be infinitely busier in this new role. Where he used to be brought in on a project in the middle of development for advice, now he’s going to look at everything before any of it even gets off the ground. George Lucas and, to an extent, Kathleen Kennedy, have been grooming Dave Filoni for this new position since he first found himself at Lucasfilm in 2006.
This is exactly what Lucasfilm needed before producing feature films again. Filoni is theultimateStar Warsgeek, harboring vast knowledge of the old Extended Universe, everything in the current continuity, and so much more from behind the scenes that fans can’t even fathom. He worked directly with George Lucas, making him the perfect person for the job. He might have his detractors, but it’s safe to say that the majority of the fanbase wanted to see him in such a position.
It’s Filoni’s Star Wars Now
Filoni’s Major Accomplishments
Filoni has had his name on nearly everyStar Warsproject sinceThe Clone Warsin 2008, either as a producer, director, or writer. After George Lucas saw Filoni’s work onAvatar: The Last Airbender, he grabbed the cowboy hat-wearing director from Nickelodeon and took him under his wing. Even after Disney bought Lucasfilm from Lucas, Filoni maintained an input on everythingStar Wars.In regard to his new role, he toldVanity Fair:
Now I’m what’s called chief creative officer of Lucasfilm […] In the past, in a lot of projects I would be brought into it, I would see it after it had already developed a good ways. In this new role, it’s opened up to basically everything that’s going on. When we’re planning the future of what we’re doing now, I’m involved at the inception phase.
This makes Filoni the Kevin Feige of Lucasfilm, which many in the fanbase have been calling for sinceThe Mandalorianpremiered. If there’s going to be a shared cinematic universe, it’s smart to have an overseer of every project. Many like to lay the blame for anyStar Warsfailures at Kathleen Kennedy’s feet because she’s the President of Lucasfilm. However, she doesn’t have a hand in the creative side of things. Instead, she focuses on the business aspect of the company. It will take some time before audiences see the impact of Filoni in his new position, but there will be a unifying narrative voice to help avoid more “Somehow Palpatine returned” moments.
Since Filoni has sat in the director’s chair, he says he feels more comfortable aiding future filmmakers. Kennedy sent him to the set ofThe Last Jedito gain an understanding of live-action directing, which is significantly different from animated work. He and Jon Favreau have also worked hand-in-hand withThe Mandalorian,and the two are gearing up to tie all of those properties together with Filoni’s upcoming live-action movie. Filoni said:
To truly help filmmakers, it was really important for me to experience it firsthand. I can also lend a perspective on the challenges that telling these stories will present. I feel more capable of actually being helpful outside of just saying, ‘Well, Jedi are like this, and Sith are like this…’
What Star Wars Could Look Like With Filoni in Charge
The biggest issue with the sequel trilogy is its lack of cohesion, especially with the inclusion ofThe Rise of Skywalker. Each installment of the trilogy tried going in a different direction.The Force Awakensushered in a new age of mythology, but made it familiar enough to keep older fans interested. Then Rian Johnson tried changing it up, subverting all expectations inThe Last Jedi,only forJ.J. Abrams to come backin an attempt to undo some of Johnson’s work while returning to his original outline for the trilogy. With Filoni in his new position, he can make sure that future trilogies will follow a specific throughline and avoid the discombobulated feeling of the sequel trilogy.
With Filoni as the CCO for Lucasfilm, he will be able to see his vision forAhsokaand the Mandoverse play out without interference. Filoni loves exploring the mystical side of the Force through the Mortis Gods, so there’s bound to be more of that. The Chief Creative Officer has said they’re holding off on a continuation ofBaylan Skoll’s story, but there’s definitely something to do there. Once he finds the most respectful way to continue that story, fans can expect to see something.
Obviously, there’s a story there. We’re in a wait and see pattern at this point. But I’m glad the conversation is about Ray and how great he was.
