The state of the Star Wars universe is strong, especially after Dave Filoni took the stage at Star Wars Celebration 2025 to share big news and updates about some of the franchise’s most anticipated upcoming projects. George Lucas’ former apprentice has become a more and more ambitious filmmaker during his tenure at Lucasfilm, most recently bridging the gap between his animation work and live-action Star Wars work with 2023’s Ahsoka. Ahsoka season 2 is set to begin filming shortly after Star Wars Celebration wraps, with Filoni returning to oversee the project.

In addition to Ahsoka, Filoni will bring back a number of fan-favorite characters in The Mandalorian & Grogu, the big-screen continuation of Lucasfilm’s biggest small-screen success. Filoni co-wrote that movie alongside Jon Favreau, who will be directing it. Beyond that, Filoni is set to write and helm his own Star Wars movie, which will be set in the New Republic era of the universe he’s been so busily exploring.

ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan spoke with Dave Filoni about the state of his Star Wars universe projects, and more. Filoni shared some of his inspirations, which include everything from George Lucas to Andor season 2, and spoke about his long-term vision for certain Star Wars characters and arcs. Plus, Filoni reflected on the joys of getting to cast Sigourney Weaver in The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Dave Filoni Shares His Experience Working With Sigourney Weaver On The Mandalorian & Grogu

“I Learned So Much”

A big moment amidst the many reveals at Star Wars Celebration was a sH๏τ of Alien and Avatar star Signourney Weaver in costume for The Mandalorian & Grogu. Filoni weighed in on casting the beloved actor as a member of the New Republic, saying, “Obviously, the body of work she has is incredible. It spans so many types of films and genre. She’s in one of my favorite [films] in Aliens. That’s so inspirational in so many ways.”

“Even Galaxy Quest is incredible,” Filoni continued. “You never know, when you reach out to somebody, how they’re going to respond. But she was so excited, and she lights up when she sees Grogu (who, Filoni said, is “growing up” after a sH๏τ from The Mandalorian & Grogu revealed him swimming). It’s incredible … It was just great watching her work.”

Since he began working with Jon Favreau on live-action Star Wars projects, Filoni has been quick to share his appeтιтe for learning from fellow filmmakers. His excitement did not change once Weaver entered the picture, he said: “It was just great watching her work. I still always feel like I’m learning, and I learned so much by watching some of these masters at their craft. I enjoyed every day being on set with her, talking with her, watching her work, and watching her ask Jon questions in between takes.”

As for why she was cast, Filoni said, “She really feels like someone that could have fought in the Rebellion against the Empire that was a leader in her own right, and [who], now, is trying to figure out how they fight a threat that seems to be growing, [while] there are so many people who aren’t heeding the warnings [or] aren’t, maybe as aware. [It] was exciting to have her in that role, and we’ll see where it goes in the film. But it’s Sigourney Weaver. Unbelievable.”

Filoni Reveals How Making Ahsoka Season 2 Will Clear The Way For His Star Wars Movie

“All These Things Grow Out Of Each Other”

Dave Filoni is set to direct his own live-action Star Wars movie, but that project has taken a backseat to more immediate concerns like Ahsoka season 2, which has had its own struggles. “I work in very big arcs and timelines,” the filmmaker shared, saying, “I always have a lot of things planned, but I’m always able to move things on that big board. I had an idea of where [Ahsoka season 2] went, and then a lot of things happened that were out of my control that [created] a lot of challenges to actually accomplishing that.”

“But,” Filoni continued, “I was able to accomplish it and unpack where it went. But until I fully understood season two, I wouldn’t understand how the movie should go. All these things grow out of each other. And as Jon’s finishing his movie, I’m tracking all these elements as they’re coming together. Jon and I talk a lot about what’s happening in the future and where we need to go. We also look the road at what’s ahead of all of those things.”

As for Filoni’s own Star Wars movie, “It is coming together,” he shared. “There are a lot of things I debate about it,” he continued, “and I want to give fans the greatest experience I can when I get to that point.”

How to do that is a worthy subject of consideration, and it sounds like Filoni is considering quite a bit: “I have one idea that I like very much … so I hope I get to do that. But there’s a completely different version that involves nothing that I’m thinking of that would be equally as exciting. But I feel like that one I’m running out of time to do. One day I’ll tell you what those two things are–maybe once I’ve chosen.”

As for when Filoni’s movie will be completed and released, the filmmaker isn’t sure. “I have to finish season 2 first, and then I’m also helping out with all these other projects now,” the Lucasfilm chief creative officer said. “I’m trying to balance all those things and my priorities are really what’s best for the franchise and where my energy is best spent and we’ll see. But everybody, everything is working well right now, so I’m really excited about what I’m seeing.”

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Has Inspired Modern-Day Star Wars

“I’m Fascinated By What Kevin Feige Was Able To Pull Off”

During the conversation, Filoni revealed that he is inspired by a range of projects including some of Lucasfilm’s own. “Andor season 2–it’s fantastic,” he said, “so that’s inspirational. I still take so much inspiration from all these things. Just because I work there doesn’t mean I’m not like, ‘Wow, that’s incredible.’ I marvel at what everybody else is accomplishing, I feed off of that, and I use it to challenge myself.”

Speaking of Marvel, Filoni said he was “fascinated by what Kevin Feige was able to pull off” with the Marvel Cinematic Universe because of one particular challenge he’s noticed with Star Wars: “In Star Wars, it’s tricky, because you need certain things to go before one another if they’re in the same space, because of how the audience will perceive it.” Regarding Feige, Filoni said, “I think it’s so special and unique–the Marvel Cinematic Universe–and what he was able to accomplish on a timeline, and perfectly place all these elements. It’s an incredible skill. It’s really remarkable.”

“We’re not operating like they do,” Filoni clarified. “We’re a bit different in Star Wars because our timeline moves a little differently,” he continued, “but I take a lot of inspiration, even from that.”

New Ideas Are Very Much Welcome At Lucasfilm, Reveals Filoni

“[People] Think … I’m Going To Have Some Star Wars Rule Book”

When discussing his inspirations and his admiration for people like Kevin Feige, Dave Filoni made a point to clarify that “I know Star Wars and I’m part of Star Wars, but I do love it all. I’m so inspired by what I see out there from so many creatives. Technology’s made it possible. Different types of distribution have made it possible. It’s really a fascinating time.”

That’s why, in Filoni’s eyes, new ideas are welcome at Lucasfilm. “The biggest thing you want is just to get artists to be expressive, express themselves, and be creative in ways that surprise us–even if we’re using franchises like Star Wars that have been around. [People] think they’re going to talk to me and I’m going to have some Star Wars rule book,” he said, “and I know a lot of things about how things have been done, but I’m always curious about, ‘Always in motion is the future.’”

As the creator continued, it seemed clear that even The Mandalorian was an example of this: “What have you got? What do you want to do? You want to do Mandalorians that don’t take their helmets off? Okay, let’s talk about that. How can we make that a story point? Let’s not just say no to things. Let’s make it a valuable part of our story.”

Star Wars Celebration

Dates

April 18-20, 2025