Whether you think Andor is the best Star Wars Disney+ series ever made, or just “not your vibe,” one thing is hard to argue: It doesn’t feel like the rest of modern Star Wars. And according to The Wrap, there may be a very specific reason why. In a recent explainer, The Wrap reports that Andor was one of the rare live-action Star Wars projects to have “zero input” from Dave Filoni. That’s not a knock on Filoni. But it is a fascinating insight — because Andor is also one of the rare Star Wars shows that felt like it came from a totally different creative universe. Filoni’s Fingerprints Are Everywhere — Except Here For the last decade, Filoni’s presence inside Star Wars has only grown. If a Star Wars project involves: …there’s usually a Filoni silhouette somewhere behind it. So when you hear that Andor had no Filoni involvement…
Dave Filoni
Genndy Tartakovsky Turned Down a Lucasfilm Leadership Role in 2005 — and That’s How Dave Filoni Got His Shot
Star Wars history is full of “what if?” moments. But this one might be one of the biggest, because it quietly shaped everything that came next — from The Clone Wars to Ahsoka to the entire Disney+ era. According to an explainer from The Wrap, Genndy Tartakovsky (creator of the 2003 Star Wars: Clone Wars) was offered a leadership role at Lucasfilm in 2005 — and he turned it down. That decision reportedly led George Lucas to bring in someone else instead. That person? Dave Filoni. And yeah… the rest is basically Star Wars TV history. The Clone Wars Before Filoni: Genndy’s 2003 Series Was the Prototype Before The Clone Wars became a full CG series with seasons, arcs, and a fanbase that fights like Mandalorians in comment sections… There was Genndy Tartakovsky’s 2D animated microseries, Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003–2005). It was fast, stylish, and aggressively iconic — and…
Dave Filoni Says He Doesn’t Lead Star Wars With a “Rule Book” — He Wants Artists to Surprise Us
Dave Filoni has become one of the most talked-about names in Star Wars over the past few years — not just as a writer/director, but as someone increasingly seen as the franchise’s creative compass. And according to Filoni himself, that job doesn’t look like what people assume. In a recent quote shared by ScreenRant, Filoni explained that creators sometimes expect to meet him and get handed some kind of canon compliance checklist. But that’s not how he works. “People get worried that they talk to me and I’m gonna have some Star Wars rule book. I know a lot of things about how things have been done, but I’m always curious about… what have you got? What do you want to do?… The biggest thing you want is to get artists to be expressive and express themselves in this time in ways that surprise us. Even if we’re using franchises…
Dave Filoni’s MandoVerse Movie Is Reportedly on the Backburner — But Thrawn Remains the Big Threat
If Lucasfilm ever needed one single project to prove the “everything connects” Disney+ strategy actually has an endgame… it was always going to be Dave Filoni’s MandoVerse movie. Now, according to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, that crossover film has been placed “on the backburner.” But the interesting part is what comes with that update: which shows are still expected to feed into it — and who the shared villain remains. Because yes: the end boss is still Grand Admiral Thrawn. Why this matters now Star Wars has been in a weird transitional phase. Movies are being announced, paused, revived, reshuffled — sometimes all in the same year. But the Disney+ side has continued to build a clear web of characters and stories across multiple series. This Filoni film has always been the “Avengers-style” culmination of that strategy. So hearing it’s on the backburner raises one obvious question:Is…
From George Lucas’ Apprentice to Lucasfilm President: Dave Filoni’s Unlikely Rise
Dave Filoni didn’t just climb the Lucasfilm ladder. He basically became the ladder. With Filoni officially moving into the Co-President role at Lucasfilm in 2026, Star Wars is now being steered creatively by someone who started at the company in the most Star Wars way imaginable: as George Lucas’ apprentice. Not figuratively. Literally. And when you line up his career milestones, it’s hard not to see the shape of a story Lucas himself would’ve approved of. Why this matters now For years, Filoni has been treated by fans as the “keeper of the lore.” But this new role turns that unofficial reputation into an official mandate. Star Wars isn’t just being guided by a committee, or by shifting creative teams. Lucasfilm is putting its creative leadership into the hands of someone whose entire professional identity has been built inside the galaxy far, far away. And Filoni’s rise didn’t happen through…
A new leadership structure at Lucasfilm — and what it means going forward
With Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan stepping into roles as co-presidents of Lucasfilm, the studio enters a new phase defined less by abrupt change and more by structural refinement. The transition represents a formal realignment of responsibilities that have, in many ways, already existed behind the scenes. Filoni’s appointment consolidates a creative role he has effectively held for years. His influence across animation, live-action television, and long-term narrative planning has positioned him as one of the central figures shaping modern Star Wars. Moving into a presidential role does not introduce a new creative philosophy so much as it formalizes an existing one, anchoring it within Lucasfilm’s top-level leadership. Importantly, this does not signal a narrowing of creative scope. While Filoni is closely associated with specific corners of the Star Wars mythology, Lucasfilm’s recent output demonstrates a deliberate commitment to tonal and thematic range. Projects that emphasize mythic storytelling continue to…
Dave Filoni and Lywen Brennan will replace Kathleen Kennedy as the new Co-Presidents of Lucasfilm.
A significant leadership change is coming to Lucasfilm. According to Puck News, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan will take over as co-presidents of Lucasfilm, replacing Kathleen Kennedy. Under the reported new structure, Filoni will lead all creative development across the studio’s projects, while Brennan will oversee executive and operational responsibilities. The move formalizes a division of duties that, in many ways, has already been taking shape behind the scenes. What’s changing at Lucasfilm Filoni has long been the public-facing creative voice of modern Star Wars. Rising from animation into live-action, he has become closely associated with the franchise’s storytelling direction, particularly on Disney+ series that connect animation-era characters with the post–Original Trilogy timeline. Brennan, by contrast, has been deeply involved in the production and business side of Lucasfilm. Her background centers on managing large-scale productions, budgets, and logistics—work that is less visible to audiences but critical to keeping a studio…
Dave Filoni Honored With Lucasfilm Service Award After 20 Years of Shaping Star Wars
Some milestones don’t need hype. They speak for themselves. Dave Filoni has received a Lucasfilm Service Award, recognizing 20 years with the company and a body of work that has quietly, steadily reshaped how Star Wars tells its stories. It’s a moment that feels overdue—and entirely fitting. Why this matters now Star Wars has changed dramatically over the last two decades. Formats shifted. Audiences broadened. Expectations hardened. Through all of that, Filoni became a constant. Not because he chased trends, but because he understood the connective tissue of the galaxy far, far away—its themes, its rhythms, and its emotional logic. The Service Award isn’t about a single show or character. It’s about continuity. Stewardship. Trust. What the award recognizes The Lucasfilm Service Award is an internal honor, given to individuals whose long-term contributions helped define the company’s creative identity. In Filoni’s case, that contribution spans animation, live-action television, character creation,…
Top Star Wars Moments That Feel Straight Out of a Samurai Movie
From Kurosawa’s Shadow to the Edge of the Outer Rim As we gear up for Star Wars Celebration Japan (April 18–20, 2025), we continue our 5-part editorial series exploring the roots of Star Wars in Japanese culture. This installment is all about what you feel when watching a lightsaber duel unfold in silence, when a Jedi lowers their blade instead of striking, or when a warrior stands alone against impossible odds. These moments aren’t just cinematic choices—they’re spiritual, philosophical, and visual echoes of samurai storytelling. Drawing deeply from Akira Kurosawa’s films, Bushidō ethics, and Zen Buddhist principles, these scenes resonate with the ancient traditions of Japan. Let’s examine the most powerful Star Wars moments that feel straight out of a samurai movie—and why they still hit just as hard today. The Samurai Legacy That Reached Hollywood Before we dive in, it’s worth remembering that Star Wars didn’t emerge in a…
Characters from “Skeleton Crew” Rumored to Appear in Dave Filoni’s Star Wars Movie
If there’s one thing Star Wars does well (besides epic lightsaber battles and unexpected droid sass), it’s connecting storylines across its expansive galaxy. The latest buzz in the hyperspace lanes? Characters from the upcoming “Skeleton Crew” series may make an appearance in Dave Filoni’s much-anticipated Star Wars movie, according to a report by ComicBookMovie.com. Let’s dive into this rumor and what it could mean for the galaxy far, far away. What Is “Skeleton Crew”? For the uninitiated, “Skeleton Crew” is an upcoming Star Wars TV series set during the New Republic era. Created by Jon Watts (of Spider-Man fame), the show promises a fresh perspective on Star Wars storytelling, following a group of kids who find themselves lost in the galaxy. But don’t let the youthful focus fool you—it’s still Star Wars, so expect danger, drama, and probably a wise mentor or two to keep things balanced. The show is…
Speculative Turbulence in the Galaxy: Is David Filoni Sabotaging “The Acolyte” for Power?
Hello, fellow Star Wars enthusiasts! Today, we dive into a fascinating and somewhat controversial topic surrounding three key figures in the Star Wars universe: David Filoni, Leslye Headland, and Kathleen Kennedy. With “The Acolyte” already airing and its fourth episode stirring the pot, fans are buzzing with excitement and skepticism. Let’s explore the dynamics at play and indulge in some speculative (but intriguing) theories. The Story Behind “The Acolyte” For those who might be out of the loop, “The Acolyte” is an ongoing Star Wars series set in the mysterious and rich era of the High Republic, approximately 100 years before “The Phantom Menace.” This period is characterized by the Jedi at the height of their power, a time of peace and prosperity, slowly being infiltrated by the sinister Sith. The plot centers around a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of dark crimes,…
Dave Filoni and George Lucas: Shaping Modern Star Wars
In the vast galaxy of Star Wars, few names resonate as powerfully as George Lucas and Dave Filoni. Lucas, the original creator, set the stage for one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises, while Filoni has been instrumental in expanding and evolving the Star Wars universe in recent years. Filoni’s collaborations and consultations with Lucas have ensured that the modern iterations of Star Wars stay true to the original vision while exploring new horizons. Dave Filoni’s Role in Modern Star Wars Dave Filoni has been a crucial figure in the Star Wars universe, particularly known for his work on “The Clone Wars,” “Rebels,” and more recently, “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka.” His deep understanding of the Star Wars lore and his ability to weave intricate stories has made him a beloved figure among fans. Filoni’s connection with Lucas has always been a guiding force in his work, ensuring that the essence…
Celebrating Dave Filoni at 50: A Pioneer in Modern Storytelling
Today, June 7, marks the 50th birthday of Dave Filoni, a visionary storyteller and creative force in the entertainment industry. Known for his remarkable contributions to the Star Wars franchise and his work in animation, Filoni has captivated audiences with his deep understanding of storytelling and his ability to breathe new life into beloved characters and universes. This article delves into the life, career, and impact of Dave Filoni, celebrating his journey and accomplishments on this special milestone. Early Life and Inspirations Dave Filoni was born on June 7, 1974, in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. From a young age, Filoni was captivated by the magic of storytelling. His childhood was filled with comic books, classic animated series, and a fascination with the rich narratives found in the Star Wars saga. This early exposure ignited his passion for animation and set him on a path that would lead to an illustrious career…