Jon Favreau is the creator of The Mandalorian, Disney+’s buzzed-about original series, and all indications are he’ll pilot more future Star Wars adventures.
We already know Favreau is breaking ground on Season 2 of The Mandalorian. However, a lengthy Wednesday exposé by The Hollywood Reporter suggests he’ll have more to do in a galaxy far, far away…
Kathleen Kennedy’s future in doubt
The polarizing president of Lucasfilm has overseen all the newest Star Wars movies. That includes Rogue One and Solo, along with the sequel trilogy in the Skywalker saga.
There’s a certain power team of creatives that fans should be excited about, per the report:
With or without Kennedy, sources say it seems likely that Favreau will have a lot of say over the future of Star Wars. These sources also say Kennedy’s ideal team includes key roles for Michelle Rejwan, a producer on Episode IX and Lucasfilm’s senior vp live action development and production, and Dave Filoni, the veteran animation director and George Lucas protege who directed live action for the first time with two episodes of Mandalorian.
The Hollywood Reporter
Star Wars creator George Lucas picked Kennedy to lead his company before he sold to Disney. Thus, it’s an arranged business marriage between Kennedy and Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Kennedy’s contract runs through 2021, and it’s very possible it isn’t renewed. There have been production issues or cramped timetables on every film, except for The Last Jedi.
Episode VIII just so happens to be the most controversial of the new films. Writer-director Rian Johnson was initially gifted with a Star Wars trilogy, much to the chagrin of many fans. Per the THR report, he’s still developing at least one movie, but not the one with a projected 2022 release.
Between all the behind-the-scenes tumult, widespread reaction to the Disney-era saga and the loss of Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss from their planned Star Wars film trilogy, there may be too much bad press for Kennedy to overcome.
All that may lead her to leaving her post anyway.
How Favreau fits into the plans
Having directed live-action Disney remakes such as The Lion King and The Jungle Book, Favreau is in the Mouse House’s good graces. He also launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the director of Iron Man.
This man is basically taking over and cranking out box office smash hits for the studio. In the midst of all that, he was able to conceive a way to break ground on Star Wars’ first live-action TV show.
Lion King commitments prevented Favreau from directing any of The Mandalorian‘s first season. But the fact that he’s already got the green light and is shooting the follow-up bodes well.
Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes critics (89 percent) and fans (94 percent) are already strong through two of eight episodes.
It’s no secret Favreau is a huge fan of the franchise — he even hinted at plans for a holiday special at The Mandalorian premiere! That’s one of the darkest chapters in Star Wars history. Favreau is leaning into it, though, suggesting he has something to offer!
This man can do no wrong, right?
Favreau likely to be creative force, not Kennedy successor
What’s awesome about Favreau’s involvement is he has a ton of support from the likes of Dave Filoni, who collaborated with him on The Mandalorian and is responsible for lots of the new Star Wars canon outside the film saga.
There’s already a positive working relationship between that duo. Now, factor in Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige, who’s developing a Star Wars movie of his own.
Feige has been the master architect behind the MCU. He of course largely owes getting that off the ground to Favreau. That said, Feige has shepherded the properties and characters into an unfathomably profitable industry giant.
In the THR report, a film agent stated, “If you’re Iger, you’ve got to figure out a way to use that person [Feige].” Well-said. All this just enhances the case for Favreau to be a primary creative force.
It seems likely Feige will, at some point, get Marvel fatigue and ultimately take over for Kennedy. After the epic conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, it’d be good for Feige to lay the groundwork for the upcoming MCU phases and then move on.
Whatever Favreau’s creative future entails with this property, it’d be fun to see him take whatever Feige’s movie idea is and run with it. For now, we’ll be getting more from Favreau on The Mandalorian at the very least.
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