Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau Share Their Preferred ‘Star Wars’ Watch Order

The future of ‘Star Wars’ is making a significant return to theaters, closely linked to the success of Disney+’s series ‘The Mandalorian’. The upcoming chapter, titled ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’, continues the adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu as they confront new threats in the galaxy following the Empire’s fall.

This information emerged from an interview with Collider, where Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni discussed the film and the broader direction of ‘Star Wars’ storytelling. Both creators elaborated on how the movie ties into other franchise elements while still aiming to function as a standalone experience for newcomers.

Jon Favreau, who co-wrote and directs the film, mentioned that the narrative had to evolve after previous plans for a fourth season of the show were modified. He noted that the new iteration of the project was crafted to suit a film format rather than a series.

“We came up with the new script for this together,” Favreau stated. He emphasized that while the story connects to other ‘Star Wars’ projects, it is structured so that new audiences can grasp it without needing to have watched everything beforehand.

He also pointed out that the film is woven into the larger universe, even as it remains accessible. According to Favreau, the narrative is influenced by the ongoing events in the ‘Star Wars’ timeline, including future shows and past occurrences. This allows characters and concepts from various series to appear naturally without overwhelming viewers with background information.

Dave Filoni, now the President of Lucasfilm, added that the intention is to make the film an inviting entry point for new fans. He expressed that the story should be straightforward enough for those who have never engaged with the shows, particularly younger audiences.

“It’s an entry point,” Filoni remarked. “We don’t want you to feel like you had to catch up on all these other series and shows.”

He clarified that fans familiar with other ‘Star Wars’ projects would still recognize connections, but those details are not essential for enjoying the story. For instance, characters from animated series like ‘Star Wars Rebels’ may make appearances, yet they are integrated in a way that new viewers can easily follow the plot.

Filoni also mentioned that he does not categorize these references as “Easter eggs.” Instead, he views them as organic components of the same universe, since everything in ‘Star Wars’ exists within one interconnected galaxy.

The conversation also delved into how ‘Star Wars’ stories should be experienced. Favreau and Filoni were asked about the “correct” viewing order for the franchise, a topic that has sparked debate among fans for years, especially when introducing new viewers.

Favreau shared that he personally favors the original release order of the films, starting with Episode IV, as that was his initial experience with the saga.

Filoni, however, asserted that there is no single correct way to watch the franchise.

“There’s no wrong way to watch ‘Star Wars’,” Filoni stated.

He explained that the choice depends on the viewer and the experience they seek. While he acknowledges that some prefer starting from Episode I, he does not believe one method is superior to another.

“I wouldn’t second-guess the maker,” he added, referencing creator George Lucas and the original saga structure.

Both creators concurred that the most crucial aspect is the experience itself, rather than the order in which it is viewed. They believe ‘Star Wars’ can be enjoyed in various ways due to its extensive history and interconnected storytelling approach.

The interview also touched on the future of ‘Star Wars’ projects beyond ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’. Filoni discussed ongoing developments in both live-action and animated series. He mentioned that numerous stories are already in progress, including new seasons of existing shows and additional spin-off projects.

He stated that many creative initiatives are happening simultaneously, with the goal of gradually expanding the universe. Favreau and Filoni both stressed their collaborative efforts to ensure that the stories remain interconnected while still being enjoyable for audiences.

The return of ‘Star Wars’ to theaters signifies a new chapter for the franchise, merging television storytelling with cinematic releases. With ‘The Mandalorian’ continuing to grow and new films in development, both creators view this as the dawn of a larger interconnected era for the galaxy far, far away.

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