While receiving the George Pal Memorial Award at the 51st Annual Saturn Awards, Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm’s Chief Creative Officer, discussed his new role as CCO and the future of Star Wars.
The George Pal Memorial Award is given to someone who is a visionary storyteller in their field. Dave Filoni has been a favorite storyteller for Star Wars fans ever since he was the showrunner for the animated show The Clone Wars. Working with the creator of Star Wars, George Lucas gives him a unique insight into Star Wars storytelling. He went on to create Star Wars: Rebels, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian and so much more.
Dave Filoni discusses the future of Star Wars
Dave has become a trusted fan-favorite storyteller in Star Wars. Over the years working at Lucasfilm, he’s been given more and more responsibility in Star Wars’s overall direction and vision. He started as an animated television showrunner, then expanded to live-action showrunner and director, and now as Chief Creative Officer. The role of CCO will have a big influence on the overall direction of Star Wars. Here’s what Dave had to say about his new role and how collaboration can inspire the future of Star Wars.
Nick Williams:
With your new role as a CCO (chief creative officer) and a lot of the projects coming up: Ahsoka season 2, The Mandalorian, and Grogu movie, a possible “you” movie in the future. It feels like you’re building to something bigger. I know you can’t say much, but what are you excited about for the future of Star Wars?
Dave Filoni:
Honestly, I mean, I’m excited about all of it. I am. You know, I, of course, is what I’m making with Ahsoka, and I’m deeply invested in that. But I’m in a fortunate position, not just as creative officer to aid people to help, you know, speak with them about their ideas, but to hear their ideas and to be influenced by them as well. I feel it’s like a two way street. It’s not me telling people how things should be. It’s this great creative collaboration and consideration and inspiration that goes both ways. And I think that’s how you grow as an artist and learn. I see what people are doing and I get excited by that.
You know, honestly, it’s like when I work with Jon (Favreau) the first time and he proposed the idea that maybe there’s a child that looks like, you know, baby Yoda. And I’m like, wow, I don’t know. Is that a good idea? Is it not a good idea? Let’s find out. Let’s get into that. What is that? And Jon evolved this amazing story, you know, and that’s definitely impacted me and influenced me in a great way. And I’m grateful for any of these experiences I get to have.
