Kathleen Kennedy announced on Thursday that she is leaving her position as president of Lucasfilm, concluding a 14-year leadership period that saw major growth and challenges for the company. This Kathleen Kennedy Lucasfilm exit marks a significant change at the studio behind the iconic Star Wars franchise, with longtime Lucasfilm executives Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan stepping into prominent leadership roles.
Dave Filoni, currently Lucasfilm’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, will assume the role of president and chief creative officer. Lynwen Brennan, who serves as Lucasfilm’s President and General Manager of Business, has been appointed co-president. Both will report directly to Disney Co-Chairman Alan Bergman as part of this organizational shift.
Longtime Veterans to Ensure a Smooth Leadership Transition
The change in leadership reflects a plan that has been gradually taking shape, with Filoni and Brennan recognized as trusted senior figures within Lucasfilm. Both have worked alongside Kennedy since her arrival in 2012, which should help maintain stability during the transition. Kennedy, selected by George Lucas himself as his handpicked successor, joined Lucasfilm just months before its $4 billion acquisition by Disney, steering the company’s ambitious expansion since then.
Kennedy’s Impact: Expanding Star Wars Across Media
During her tenure, Kennedy oversaw the production of five major Star Wars theatrical releases, including the sequel trilogy featuring Daisy Ridley and standalone films like Rogue One and Solo. Under her leadership, the franchise achieved unprecedented commercial success, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens becoming the highest-grossing film domestically at $936 million and earning more than $2 billion globally. Collectively, the five films grossed $5.9 billion worldwide.
Kennedy’s influence also extended to upcoming projects. She remains involved as a producer on The Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled for release on May 22, as well as Shawn Levy’s Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, slated for May 28, 2027. Additionally, she is producing the animated series Maul: Shadow Lord and a second season of Ahsoka, alongside several other series and films still in development.
Driving Star Wars’ Expansion Into Television and Theme Parks
Kennedy played a pivotal role in broadening Star Wars’ presence beyond cinema, pioneering its entry into television with acclaimed series such as The Mandalorian, the franchise’s first live-action show, and the Emmy-winning Andor. While some ventures like Willow had shorter runs, the overall direction showcased a diversification of Star Wars content.
Under her guidance, Lucasfilm developed immersive theme park experiences, launching the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. She also oversaw the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a unique live-action role-playing hotel experience that operated for just over a year before closing in 2023, reflecting the high stakes and experimental nature of these projects.
An Ambitious Yet Controversial Era at Lucasfilm
Kennedy’s presidency has been marked by bold ambitions intertwined with notable controversies. Balancing the demands of corporate stakeholders and an intensely passionate fanbase has often placed her at the center of fan unrest. Her leadership can be seen as a mix of groundbreaking accomplishments and difficult setbacks.
Despite challenges, Kennedy remained resolute.
“She knows or knew what she was doing, as she’s obviously a very well experienced producer and executive,”
said a top agent, adding,
“But managing brands like ‘Star Wars’ is an impossible task because the fanbases of all fanboy IP are toxic. Her biggest weakness is that she decided to take the job in the first place,”
according to TheWrap.
Kennedy’s career before Lucasfilm was largely built around major productions, and her time at Lucasfilm represented a further elevation of her influence, especially following Disney’s acquisition.
One franchise film producer remarked,
“Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most legendary producers of my lifetime. I wondered at the time why did she want to take over from George. She made a bunch of TV shows and movies with a mixed degree of success. I don’t know if anyone will do better, but I wish her the best.”
Dave Filoni: Preserving and Expanding Star Wars Lore
Dave Filoni’s rise reflects his deep roots in Lucasfilm, having created the acclaimed Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series that originally ran from 2008 to 2013 and returned in 2020. Known as a guardian of Lucas’s original vision, Filoni works closely with Lucasfilm’s Story Team to ensure continuity across different media, including TV shows, films, games, and theme park content.
Filoni successfully transitioned into live-action with The Mandalorian, its spinoff The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, a series based on a character he created in animation. He also co-wrote the upcoming film The Mandalorian and Grogu and continues to lead as chief creative officer while overseeing the second season of Ahsoka.
Lynwen Brennan’s Longstanding Role in Lucasfilm’s Operations
Born in the United Kingdom, Lynwen Brennan has been with Lucasfilm since 1999, beginning as a Technical Area Leader for Industrial Light & Magic’s Computer Graphics Technical Directors. After a decade, she advanced to become president of ILM. Overseeing the company’s expansion to locations in Singapore, Vancouver, and London, Brennan’s responsibilities now include managing Lucasfilm’s business sectors such as ILM, Skywalker Sound, and the Lucasfilm Franchise groups covering marketing, publishing, games, consumer products, and publicity.
She also supervises Lucasfilm studio operations, including human resources, finance, and legal affairs, making her a key figure in the company’s broad business framework.
The Road Ahead for Lucasfilm Under New Leadership
Kathleen Kennedy’s departure as Lucasfilm president concludes an era defined by expansive ambition paired with complex challenges in managing one of the most beloved entertainment franchises worldwide. With Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan leading the company, Lucasfilm is poised to continue evolving its storytelling across media while maintaining the legacy established by George Lucas and Kennedy’s stewardship.
As Filoni assumes creative leadership and Brennan manages the business side, fans and industry watchers alike will observe how the studio balances innovation with fan expectations in the next chapter of the Star Wars saga and beyond.
