While Rian Johnson may be infamous among Star Wars for his work on The Last Jedi, he left a directorial impression on Dave Filoni.
It’s no secret that The Mandalorian‘s Executive Producer and Lucasfilm’s Executive Creative Director Dave Filoni has worked closely with director Rian Johnson, being one of many Star Wars directors that the producer has shadowed.
However, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Filoni confirmed just how much of an impact Johnson had on him.
“Rian was the one who shoved me up front, sticking lenses in my hand and really getting me immersed in it,” Filoni shared. “And so I still talk with him to this day. He’s obviously a very talented filmmaker, and I was just very fortunate to be in such an environment where I could sit and listen and learn.”
This marked one of Filoni’s first forays into live-action, as urged by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. It therefore influenced Filoni’s interest and abilities to the extent that he now works on one of the most successful Star Wars titles to date: The Mandalorian.
Filoni also shadowed J.J. Abrams on The Force Awakens and Gareth Edwards on Rogue One, but seems to ascribe the greatest impact to Johnson – even if fans were less than enthused with what the director achieve4 with The Last Jedi.
Featured image: Disney/Lucasfilm
