After nearly 14 years at the helm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as President of Lucasfilm, marking a significant shift for the Star Wars franchise. The move, considered an "open secret" within Hollywood circles, was confirmed this week, with Kennedy transitioning to full-time producing.
Kennedy, handpicked by George Lucas in 2012 when Disney acquired Lucasfilm, oversaw a massive expansion of the Star Wars universe. This included a new trilogy, spin-off movies, and several TV series like "The Mandalorian" and "Andor". Under her leadership, the studio also expanded its presence in Disney's theme parks with "Star Wars"-themed lands. Disney CEO Bob Iger acknowledged Kennedy's visionary leadership and stewardship of the iconic studio and brand.
Her tenure wasn't without its challenges. "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018) underperformed at the box office. Several announced "Star Wars" projects faced delays or were dropped altogether. Kennedy also faced scrutiny from some fans regarding the direction of the franchise. Despite these setbacks, the new "Star Wars" trilogy grossed a collective $4.3 billion worldwide, with "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" earning over $1 billion globally, leading to the acclaimed series "Andor".
Taking over the reins are Dave Filoni as President and Chief Creative Officer, and Lynwen Brennan as Co-President. Filoni, who has been with Lucasfilm since 2005, worked closely with George Lucas and has been instrumental in shaping the creative direction of the Star Wars universe, including his work as showrunner on series like "Ahsoka" and his collaboration with Jon Favreau on "The Mandalorian and Grogu". Brennan joined Lucasfilm in 1999 and rose through the ranks at Industrial Light & Magic before becoming General Manager of Lucasfilm in 2015 and President & General Manager of Lucasfilm Business in 2024. Both Filoni and Brennan will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
Kennedy will remain involved with Lucasfilm as a producer for the upcoming films "The Mandalorian and Grogu," slated for release in May 2026, and "Star Wars: Starfighter," scheduled for 2027. She also intends to pursue independent producing ventures, including film projects exploring artificial intelligence.
In a statement, Kennedy expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm and her pride in the accomplishments of the studio's talent. She stated, "When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn't have imagined what lay ahead. It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. Their creativity and dedication have been an inspiration, and I'm deeply proud of what we've accomplished together. I'm excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling".
Alan Bergman acknowledged Kennedy's significant contributions, noting that she steered Star Wars to incredible box office success and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. He also expressed confidence in Filoni and Brennan's leadership abilities.
The transition marks a new chapter for Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise, with Filoni and Brennan poised to guide the studio's creative and business operations into the future.
