Ranking Dave Filoni’s Best Star Wars Moments So Far

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Since George Lucas first introduced in 1977, the franchise has grown and changed considerably. Many talented creators – including Timothy Zahn, Genndy Tartakovsky, Rian Johnson, and Tony Gilroy – have added their own unique touches to the story. However, Dave Filoni’s contributions during his time at Lucasfilm stand out as particularly significant.

Dave Filoni joined Lucasfilm in 2005 and began developing the animated Clone Wars series, working directly with George Lucas. He steadily rose through the company, becoming a highly respected figure. Often seen as Lucas’ protégé, Filoni has now been promoted to co-president, alongside Lynwen Brennan, and chief creative officer. While not every project has been a hit, Filoni is behind some of the most impactful and positive changes in the Star Wars franchise.

Kick-Starting The Bad Batch Series

Dave Filoni began his career with Lucasfilm working on animated Star Wars projects, and he’s still heavily involved today. He recently created Star Wars: The Bad Batch, an animated series that demonstrates how much Star Wars animation has improved. The Bad Batch features impressive visuals and introduces fresh characters, such as Omega, who help move the Star Wars story in exciting new directions.

Set immediately after the events of Revenge of the Sith, The Bad Batch follows the group of unique clones first seen in the final season of The Clone Wars. The show delivers enjoyable Star Wars action and familiar elements, but also explores complex political ideas. While Dave Filoni wasn’t as directly involved as he was with Star Wars Rebels or The Clone Wars, his creative influence is still clearly present in The Bad Batch.

Translating Key Animated Characters to Live-Action

Animation has been a part of the Star Wars universe since the Droids series in 1985. However, The Clone Wars was the first animated show with significant input from George Lucas himself. While Star Wars remains primarily a film franchise, many fans now feel a stronger connection to its animated stories. Series like The Clone Wars and Rebels have also given us some of the most popular new characters in the Star Wars galaxy.

Saw Gerrera, originally from the animated Star Wars series, was the first animated character to appear in the live-action film Rogue One, opening the door for others. As Dave Filoni took on more live-action projects, more characters he’d developed in animation began appearing in those films and shows. This has made animation a key part of the Star Wars franchise, with a strong presence in live-action that wasn’t as prominent before, and has created a more connected universe than ever before.

Bringing Grand Admiral Thrawn to Canon

For a long time, books and comics related to Star Wars weren’t considered official parts of the story. However, that changed in 2014 when Disney bought Lucasfilm and included those publications in the main Star Wars canon.

Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire remains a fan favorite, largely due to its compelling villain, Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn, a brilliant and calculating Chiss, has become a standout character in the Star Wars universe. He was officially incorporated into the Star Wars canon during Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels, and recently reappeared in live-action at the end of Ahsoka Season 1, hinting at an even larger role to come.

Creating the Celebrated Star Wars Rebels Series

2012 marked a big turning point for Star Wars when Disney bought Lucasfilm. Before the release of Star Wars: Episode VII, the animated series Star Wars Rebels, which premiered in October 2014, gave fans their first look at the franchise’s future without George Lucas involved, and it successfully introduced Star Wars to a new generation.

Throughout its four seasons, Star Wars Rebels delivered some truly memorable moments, including the exciting finale of season two and the storyline focusing on Sabine Wren and the Darksaber. The show was a fresh and daring take on the Star Wars universe, introducing beloved new characters and a feel reminiscent of the original films. Its impact is still felt today, as characters like Ezra Bridger have become important figures in the live-action Star Wars series.

Expanding Star Wars Lore with Mortis and the World Between Worlds

Dave Filoni excels as a Star Wars creator because he’s helped build some of the most significant parts of the franchise’s history. In The Clone Wars, he developed George Lucas’s concept of the Mortis Gods into a memorable story arc in the third season. These powerful beings have continued to appear in Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka.

Dave Filoni explored Yoda’s journey to becoming a Force ghost in Season 6 of The Clone Wars. He also used a form of time travel in the final season of Star Wars Rebels, a concept that reappeared in Season 1 of Ahsoka. Like the storyline involving Mortis, it’s still a significant puzzle. Filoni is one of the few creators who’s confidently introduced entirely new ideas to the Star Wars universe. He leans into the more unusual aspects of the franchise while staying true to George Lucas’ original intent.

Turning Ahsoka Tano into a Fan-Favorite Character

Dave Filoni has been instrumental in developing many key characters in the Star Wars universe. One of these, Ahsoka, originated from George Lucas’s concept of giving Anakin Skywalker an apprentice in the The Clone Wars animated series. While Ahsoka initially sparked debate among fans upon her introduction, Filoni’s continued work on her character eventually shifted public perception.

Ahsoka is now a beloved character, thanks to her journey from The Clone Wars to her recent live-action series. Dave Filoni has truly made her his own, and it’s impressive how central she’s become considering her origins. Ahsoka’s development also offers a valuable message for Star Wars fans: be open-minded about new ideas and give them time to develop, as they can often lead to rewarding results.

Introducing Din Djarin and Grogu in The Mandalorian

A major achievement during Kennedy’s time at Lucasfilm was bringing a live-action Star Wars series to life. When Disney+ launched, Lucasfilm entrusted Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau with making live-action Star Wars television a reality, and the series proved to be incredibly popular.

These two characters have rapidly become central figures in the current era of Star Wars and are about to appear in a major film. While not the only creator of The Mandalorian, Dave Filoni played a vital role in its creation, writing and directing several episodes, including the premiere. The Mandalorian demonstrated that live-action Star Wars could be successful and capture the public’s imagination in fresh and exciting ways.

Making Darth Maul the Iconic Star Wars Villain Fans Always Wanted

When The Phantom Menace came out in 1999, it kicked off a new chapter in the Star Wars saga. The marketing heavily suggested a new Sith villain who could become as iconic as Darth Vader. Darth Maul certainly seemed up to the task with his frightening look and unique double-bladed lightsaber, but his time on screen was surprisingly brief – Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated him by cutting him in half during the film’s climax.

After many years, Lucas wanted to bring the character of Maul back in The Clone Wars, but he didn’t have a clear plan. So, Dave Filoni and the Clone Wars team developed a way to revive him. They didn’t just bring him back – they created the compelling villain fans had hoped for in Star Wars back in 1999, and Sam Witwer’s performance gave the character a surprising amount of depth. Maul reappeared later in Star Wars Rebels, where his story seemed to conclude, but his journey isn’t quite finished, as a new animated series is on the way.

Revitalizing the Prequel Era With The Clone Wars Series

While the most recent Star Wars trilogy has faced a lot of criticism, just over ten years ago, the prequel trilogy was considered the most divisive part of the saga. It was clear George Lucas aimed to expand the Star Wars universe with updated ship designs, complex political plots, new aspects of the Force, and a more diverse cast of characters.

The Star Wars prequels were a bold undertaking, and though they were initially controversial with fans, they’ve ultimately become a highlight of the franchise. A major reason for this is Dave Filoni, who, as supervising director, helped make Anakin Skywalker a more sympathetic character, developed the Clone Troopers into complex individuals, and brought a fresh perspective to the story. The Clone Wars series is considered one of Filoni’s greatest successes at Lucasfilm, solidifying his place as a Star Wars icon.

Embracing All Eras of Star Wars

Dave Filoni has done incredible work at Lucasfilm, especially with Star Wars television. Over the past ten years, the franchise has explored different styles – some projects recapture the feel of the original movies, while others, like Andor, forge entirely new paths. What makes Filoni unique is his willingness to embrace all aspects of Star Wars, even the more debated ones. As proven by The Clone Wars, he can take perceived weaknesses and transform them into compelling strengths.

Okay, so Dave Filoni is now really in charge of Star Wars, and that comes with a lot of pressure. He’s stumbled a bit with his writing in the past, but he’s also proven he can learn and improve. What really struck me is how Star Wars Rebels brought back the clones and made the whole saga feel more unified. He doesn’t ignore the parts of Star Wars that haven’t always worked – he actually loves them, and that’s exactly what this franchise needs in a leader. Honestly, I think he’s the perfect person to guide Star Wars forward.

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2026-01-24 20:39