Dave Filoni On Why ‘Duel of the Fates’ is Star Wars' Most Significant Moment

The Skywalker saga might have quite a number of pivotal moments, but according to Star Wars: The Clone Wars showrunner Dave Filoni, the most important moment in the Star Wars franchise is the Duel of Fates.

Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian premiered earlier this week, and in the latest episode of the behind-the-scenes docuseries exploring Jon Favreau's hit Star Wars series, episode director Dave Filoni decides to talk about the lightsaber fight between Qui-Gonn Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi against Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

The Phantom Menace might have sparked a whole lot of backlash when it first released in 1999, however, Star Wars fans couldn't help but admit how the Dual of Fates became one of the film's highlights.

Speaking in the most recent Disney Gallery episode, Filoni declares the battle between Qui-Gonn Jinn, Obi-Wan and Maul as one of the most significant moments in the franchise because it sets up the story of the entire Skywalker saga (via ComicBook.com).

In Phantom Menace, you're watching these two Jedi in their prime fight this evil villain," Filoni explains in the episode, "Maul couldn't be more obviously the villain. He's designed to look evil, and he is evil, and he expresses that from his face, all the way out to the type of lightsaber he fights with. What's at stake is really how Anakin is going to turn out. Because Qui-Gon is different than the rest of the Jedi, and you get that in the movie."

"Qui-Gon is fighting because he knows he's the father that Anakin needs, because Qui-Gon hasn't given up on the fact that the Jedi are supposed to actually care, and love, and that that's not a bad thing," the Star Wars executive producer continues, "The rest of the Jedi are so detached, and they've become so political, that they've really lost their way. Yoda starts to see that in the second film, but Qui-Gon is ahead of them all and that's why he's not part of the council."

Star Wars fans might disagree about the most important moment in the Skywalker saga, but we do have to admit that the Dual of Fates has its significance.

What do you think? What's the most important moment in Star Wars? Is it the moment when Darth Vader reveals that he's Luke's father? Is it the moment Rey wins against Palpatine? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Read: Why Star Wars: The Clone Wars Didn't Properly Cross Over With Revenge of the Sith