Ahsoka Proves Dave Filoni Should Be In Charge Of Star Wars' Future
Dave Filoni's latest Star Wars Disney+ show, Ahsoka, proves that he may be the best choice to be in charge of the franchise's future.
Ahsoka is the latest offering from showrunner Dave Filoni, expanding the Star Wars universe in new and exciting directions. The new Disney+ series follows Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and her Padawan, Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) as they struggle to keep the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) from returning to their galaxy. In its first few episodes, Ahsoka has been filled with numerous high points, as audiences revel in the expert storytelling from Filoni and the other creators behind the exciting new Star Wars project.
Dave Filoni has been part of Star Wars for many years now, contributing to some of the best television series the franchise has ever seen. His work in the franchise began with the beloved 2008 animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Later, Filoni would have a major part in the development of other animated series, including Star Wars: Rebels, The Bad Batch, and Tales of the Jedi. More recently, Filoni has contributed to Star Wars' new Disney+ series, including The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Now, with Ahsoka's rabid reception from fans, it is becoming clear that Dave Filoni is the best choice to carry Star Wars into the future, yet Lucasfilm seems reluctant to give him the reins of the franchise.
Ahsoka Proves Dave Filoni Is Star Wars' Best Creator
Star Wars finally is expanding Ahsoka Tano's timeline beyond the original trilogy under the watchful eye of Dave Filoni, whose work on the series proves that he is the perfect man to helm the franchise moving forward. The new series has accomplished the daunting task of catering to fans new and old, thereby delivering some of the most satisfying content the franchise has seen in years. Ahsoka perfectly balances its heavy themes with heart and humor, giving audiences a reason to care about its characters. While not always perfect, Ahsoka tells a clear story that is obviously building up to something even bigger in the very near future.
Ahsoka answers audiences' burning questions while leaving them with even more, giving viewers a reason to tune in from week to week. Moreover, viewers who have spent years watching series like The Clone Wars and Rebels get even more out of each episode of Ahsoka, as the Disney+ show continues to build on stories whose foundations were laid over a decade ago. Filoni's self-referential storylines are nothing short of exhilarating and the sheer respect and awe that he holds for the franchise that George Lucas built shines through with each new project he delivers. As not only the most popular but also the most qualified choice, Dave Filoni may be the one who could be making all the major creative decisions at Lucasfilm.
Why Isn't Dave Filoni In Charge Of Star Wars' Creative Future?
With the news that Rey Skywalker will return in her own new film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and that James Mangold will helm his own prequel film, it seems that Lucasfilm is still entrusting the future of Star Wars to newcomers. This can be a good thing for the franchise as it allows new and individual voices to shine through. It's important to note that both J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson were new to Star Wars when they were hired as directors for the sequel trilogy. The results were mostly mixed, with the reception to the films varying wildly. Dave Filoni, on the other hand, is a tested and true disciple of George Lucas himself, whom many Star Wars fans have held in high esteem for many years. His style works--and should be adopted moving forward.
Star Wars doesn't have to de-canonize the sequel trilogy to give Dave Filoni his just due. The creator has built a career on taking imperfect Star Wars films and fleshing out their stories to boost their favor with fans. The Clone Wars is the perfect example of this, as it slowly filled in the many plot holes left behind by the prequels. In the years since the series aired, many fans have come to accept the formerly despised prequel movies--a fate that could yet await the sequels under the right circumstances. Nevertheless, Filoni has mostly worked in animation, which is often wrongly held in lower regard than live-action. It may be that Lucasfilm isn't willing to hand over the reins of its premiere franchise to someone who is primarily known for his work in what is incorrectly considered a lesser art form.
The Mandalorian Finale Could Change Star Wars' Future
Things could still change for Star Wars. A new film has been announced that will explore Grand Admiral Thrawn's endgame and act as the finale to The Mandalorian. After trying his hand at live-action over the years, Dave Filoni has been announced as the director of the upcoming film. This could be a positive sign that Lucasfilm is willing to give the director a chance to prove himself with a theatrical release--his very first after over a decade of working at the company. The paradigm about animation may finally be on the verge of changing as both audiences and critics come to realize the emotional weight that can accompany these stories--even if they aren't told in live-action.
The Mandalorian finale will unite the characters from Star Wars' Disney+ shows in an epic crossover event that has the potential to be a massive success for the franchise. If Filoni is able to pull off a satisfying conclusion to the "Heir to the Empire" arc, he could successfully position himself as a viable candidate to take over the entire franchise. After years of a split fanbase, Filoni would be the one man capable of uniting both fans and haters of the sequel trilogy, though it would be a difficult task. Even so, most longtime fans would be compelled to see what Filoni does next with the franchise that he so clearly loves.
Star Wars is at a crossroads as it decides the best route forward for the franchise's future. While there is merit in bringing fresh perspectives into the fold, Dave Filoni has consistently proven himself adept at creating satisfying stories that passionate Star Wars fans and newcomers alike can enjoy. As such, there is no one more suited to taking over creative control of the franchise than Dave Filoni.