Dave Filoni Talks George Lucas, Jedi Politics, And Maul’s Return To Star Wars

Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, a documentary about Star Wars: The Mandalorian, is providing quite a number of nuggets of information about Star Wars. Some of these bits were Star Wars showrunner Dave Filoni reporting. Some of that was on what Star Wars creator George Lucas has told the man with a fedora.

Filoni tells Star Wars: The Mandalorian filmmakers that Lucas is responsible for the return of Maul

The beloved Clone Wars producer also revealed how Lucas felt that the Jedi got too “political” during the era seen in the prequels, as Qui-Gon Jinn was ahead of the Jedi. And there was plenty more that Lucas imparted to his apprentice. That includes how Luke Skywalker’s love for his father, Darth Vader saves him; that Anakin Skywalker, in saving Luke Skywalker, had to become the father he never had; and that Filoni needed to remember to give kids hope through Star Wars.

“George made me bring him back,” Filoni says of Maul to Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau and Filoni’s fellow show directors. You’d think that a statement like that from Filoni indicates that Filoni doesn’t like that Maul came back. However, when watching the documentary, I wasn’t sure that’s the case.

As for the Jedi having become too political, I’ve said that for years.

Part of my thought on this was that at least during the Clone Wars, the Jedi chose sides and engaged in war.

It’s nice to know that Lucas thinks that, as well. And it seems that the Jedi getting too political is part of the reason that Qui-Gon Jinn was ahead of the order. That’s especially true given that Filoni’s first comment on Jinn being ahead of the Jedi Order was the “political” remark. The Jedi regarded Qui-Gon Jinn as a “maverick.” Now, however, it seems clear that Jinn actually had greater vision than the Order did.

Luke Skywalker’s “connection to the Force” and “powers he’s learned” “has gotten him to the table” to be able to save his father. However, Luke’s love for his father saves him, Filoni reported. It’s that Luke Skywalker would say to Emperor Sheev Palpatine: “I love my father and there is nothing you can do that’s going to change that.” (And then, as Filoni notes, Vader’s salvation comes by giving up “all the power in the galaxy.”)

“Anakin (Vader) then in that moment has to decide to be the father that he’s never had.”

Dave Filoni on Vader’s actions in Return of the Jedi.

Together, says Filoni, “the son saved the father and the father saved the son.” Filoni even draws a connection from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace to Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi through the father-son theme. The films are the beginning and ending installments of the saga before the sequel trilogy came along.

Jinn was “the father Anakin needs,”

whereas Obi-Wan Kenobi was, “eventually,” more of a brother to the young Jedi. “But he’s not a father figure.” Anakin Skywalker was “left completely vulnerable” by Jinn’s death. And it seems clear that hole was never filled. What Star Wars ultimately boils down to, however, is hope:

“Remember to make these stories hopeful. Remember to give that to kids because they really need it.”

George Lucas to Dave Filoni

Filoni really went on a tear in the documentary, saying these things. It was beautiful. He provided new insights to Star Wars – through the eyes of its creator – offering touching new elements to the mythology.

What are your thoughts about Filoni’s report of Lucas’ explanation of these story elements? Comment below!