Dave Filoni Says R-Rated ‘Star Wars’ Could Be Interesting

Dave Filoni isn’t ruling anything out when it comes to Star Wars. Lucasfilm’s chief creative officer said this week that an R-rated installment of the George Lucas-originated franchise could be “interesting.”

“Sure, I mean, I don’t know. It think it’s interesting,” Filoni said of the possibility of an R-rated installment during an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “The bottom line is whatever we do, it has to be really well done.”

The R-rating consideration comes a month before Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters, the studio’s first R-rated movie. Star Ryan Reynolds said recently he was “really proud” of Marvel for allowing the rating. “It’s a huge step for them, it adds a whole color to this kaleidoscopic wheel that is that company and the different people that they have been entertaining for forever.”

Filoni said he has similar considerations for Star Wars. “I think when you look at something that is taken as different like Andor, it’s so well done, and Tony [Gilroy, Andor showrunner] and his team do such a phenomenal job, that I think that there’s an audience for that. I think also with that audience, I also though want to still be hitting the imagination of the kids out there, so that they can grow up and appreciate those things.”

He added, “[The franchise] encompasses all types of styles, and the creative of the particular story driving it is the most important thing, and they should do something that’s within their comfort zone. Otherwise, we’re to imagine that everyone’s going to come in and pretend they’re George Lucas.”

Filoni said he’s “learned from George, but certainly I’m not the same as George when it comes to making movies. He’s a one-of-a-kind generational talent. I like wolves and put them in my Star Wars. We’re just different and that’s okay. But there are principles about choices and being a good person and being more selfless and getting over your fears, and those are timeless no matter what style you’re talking about.”