Kathleen Kennedy claims Jon Favreau is promoting Star Wars the same way George Lucas did

Kathleen Kennedy made a very bold comparison—and yes, Star Wars fans will almost certainly discuss it calmly, politely, and without any dramatic reactions.

Talking about Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian, and Grogu, Kennedy compared Favreau's approach to innovation to the way George Lucas pushed technology forward in filmmaking. In the new GamesRadar+ reportKennedy praised Favreau for taking technology and filmmaking "to the next level," saying the spirit reminds her of what Lucas did.

This is not just a compliment. In the context of Star Wars, this essentially means handing someone the keys to a digital toolkit and saying, “Try not to break the cinematography.”

Favreau's Star Wars has always been technologically advanced.

This comparison makes sense when you look at what The Mandalorian series has actually done for modern filmmaking.

Favreau helped bring StageCraft and Volume into the mainstream, using large LED installations to combine real-time digital backdrops with live action filming. This technology became one of the defining behind-the-scenes stories of The Mandalorian, giving Star Wars a new production look for the streaming age.

Of course, George Lucas built much of Star Wars around this kind of pursuit of perfection. From motion control photography and ILM's original breakthroughs in special effects, to digital editing, CGI characters, and the prequel trilogy's transition to digital filmmaking, Lucas was never just about making Star Wars stories.He was constantly trying to change the way these stories could be created.

Kennedy makes it clear that Favreau belongs to the same tradition of technical experimentation, even if the scale and era are different.

The Mandalorian and Grogu need the big screen.

Kennedy also argued thatThe Mandalorian and Grogudeserve to be seen in theaters. This is important because this is not just another chapter of the Disney+ series - it is a transition of Din Djarin and Grogu from icons streaming services for leading roles in feature films.

On the official StarWars.com page dedicated to the series "The Mandalorian" and Grogu the release date of the film is indicated - May 22 2026. Din and Grogu will work for the New Republic, while the Imperial commanders will remain scattered throughout the galaxy.

Perhaps this larger approach is why Kennedy is now emphasizing Favreau's visual and technical ambitions. The film aims to prove that Mando's world isn't just a Disney+ success story superimposed on a bigger screen. It should feel like real cinema.

A very generous compliment in Star Wars style.

Comparing anyone to George Lucas in the context of Star Wars is always risky. Lucas isn't just a franchise creator; it is thanks to him that Star Wars has become so closely associated with technological evolution.

But Favreau is one of the few modern Star Wars creators for whom such a comparison is at least understandable. He didn't just create a popular series.He helped change the way Lucasfilm approached live-action Star Wars television series.

We recently talked about the fact that Pedro Pascal wants to continue playing Din Djarin after The Mandalorian and Grogu, and this quote from Kennedy points in the same direction: Lucasfilm clearly sees The Mandalorian as more than just a completed chapter for streaming platforms. It is the platform for the next phase of Star Wars storytelling.

Whether the film deserves such comparison is another matter.

But if Favreau is truly trying to push Star Wars forward in Lucas's way - combining myth, technology and a healthy tolerance for risk - then there's suddenly a lot more at stake in The Mandalorian and Groguthan cute Grogu moments and shiny armor.

It is necessary to prove that this helmet is worthy of being shown on the big screen.