Key Takeaways:
– Star Wars veteran Dave Filoni worked alongside George Lucas on ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ animated series.
– Filoni reveals Lucas’ hands-on involvement with character arcs, particularly with the villain Asajj Ventress.
– George Lucas would meet Filoni annually to plan storylines for upcoming seasons.
– The animated series allowed Lucas to explore storylines not tackled by the films, with no significant restrictions on character usage.
George Lucas’ Involvement in The Clone Wars
From the filmmakers’ room to the mystical Star Wars universe, the bond between Dave Filoni and George Lucas is notable. Filoni, the supervising director and primary showrunner for ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ animated series, spills the beans on Lucas’ heavy involvement in shaping the series’ character arcs.
Filoni And Lucas: Scripting The Villainous Arcs
During an interview with Den of Geek, Filoni opened up about how Lucas would ask him to spice up the story arcs of villains, particularly that of Asajj Ventress. Lucas’ ask is not surprising, given the complex character Ventress is. She’s a character steeped in loss and grief who evolves into the apprentice of Count Dooku. Fans of the show adore the character’s depth and now know that Lucas played a significant role in her evolution.
Lucas: The Annual Planner
While Lucas took a backseat in the Star Wars franchise after the prequels, Filoni revealed during the interview that Lucas would meet him annually. These meetings would be all about planning the storylines for the upcoming season, offering Lucas the opportunity to touch on characters and plots not as deeply explored in his films.
Bounds and Freedoms in The Clone Wars
When asked about the limitations placed on the series, Filoni admitted that there were not many. He explained how Lucas was bold when it came to characters and stories, wanting them to be presented freshly and excitingly. Notably, Filoni used Boba Fett as an example, explaining how Lucas was careful in keeping the character engaging.
Regarding newer characters, Filoni mentioned that their stories weren’t set in stone. This allowed him the freedom to be creative and make bold choices, as has been evidenced with the character of Ahsoka. Ahsoka made her live-action debut in ‘The Mandalorian’, further proving Filoni’s point, and she is now the lead in her own series.
In conclusion, as revealed by Filoni, Lucas’ involvement in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ was intimate and hands-on despite his reduced active role in the Star Wars franchise. From suggesting exciting character arcs to annual planning sessions, Lucas ensured that his universe remained fresh, interesting, and engaging for the audience. This level of dedication and involvement makes Star Wars the beloved juggernaut it is today. Fans seeking to re-engage with this magic now have ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ streaming on Disney+.
