Kathleen Kennedy has officially stepped down as President of Lucasfilm, ending a nearly 14-year period that began shortly before Disney’s acquisition of the company founded by George Lucas. Her departure comes amid ongoing efforts to oversee major projects such as The Mandalorian and the Grogu theatrical film, highlighting important shifts in the trajectory of the Star Wars franchise and its broader storytelling universe.
Continuing in Film Production Amidst Leadership Change
Though Kennedy is leaving her executive position, she will remain active in the industry, returning to her roots as a full-time producer. She continues to be involved with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and the Grogu film, which wrapped filming in late 2024 and is scheduled for release in May 2026. Additionally, Kennedy is attached to Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter project, featuring Ryan Gosling, slated for a May 2027 debut. Managing these high-profile releases throughout the leadership transition is expected to be among her primary concerns moving forward.
New Faces Take the Helm at Lucasfilm
Following long-standing rumors, Dave Filoni, who has been a key creative force behind Star Wars, will assume the roles of Lucasfilm President and Chief Creative Officer. Simultaneously, Lynwen Brennan will serve as Co-President, both having been senior executives at the studio for over 15 years. Together, they will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, signaling a new era focused on strong creative vision combined with operational experience.
“take on creative leadership of Lucasfilm as President and Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm, and Lynwen Brennan will serve as Co-President, Lucasfilm, with each having held senior executive roles at the studio for more than 15 years. The two will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, and their close collaboration will carry Lucasfilm into its next chapter of storytelling, with a strong foundation of creative vision and operational leadership guiding the studio forward.”
— Disney Statement
Kennedy Reflects on Her Tenure and Future Plans
In her parting remarks, Kennedy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm and highlighted the extraordinary talent she encountered during her time there. She reaffirmed her enthusiasm for continuing to develop stories alongside both familiar and emerging creative voices who represent the future of the entertainment industry.
“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.”
— Kathleen Kennedy, Former President, Lucasfilm
Dave Filoni’s Tribute to Kennedy and Lucas
Dave Filoni shared how both George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy profoundly influenced his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. He acknowledged Kennedy’s role in significantly expanding the Star Wars universe on screen, from iconic characters like Rey to Grogu. Filoni also expressed heartfelt thanks to Kennedy, Lucas, and Disney’s leadership for trusting him to lead Lucasfilm into its next chapter.
“My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas. I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them. From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger, and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role, doing a job I truly love. May the Force be with you.”
— Dave Filoni, Incoming President and Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm
Disney CEO Praises Kennedy’s Leadership
Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, acknowledged the significance of acquiring Lucasfilm over a decade ago, highlighting the combination of a legendary storytelling universe and a visionary leader chosen by George Lucas himself. Iger formally expressed gratitude for Kennedy’s stewardship of this iconic brand and studio.
“When we acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago, we knew we were bringing into the Disney family not only one of the most beloved and enduring storytelling universes ever created, but also a team of extraordinary talent led by a visionary filmmaker – someone who had been handpicked by George Lucas himself, no less.”
— Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
“We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.”
— Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Leadership Transition and Its Unexpected Timeline
Kennedy’s departure finalizes a leadership change that had been speculated about for months. Though she acknowledged ongoing succession planning earlier in the year, she previously suggested that her retirement announcement was not imminent. This official confirmation indicates her exit happened sooner than many anticipated, ending her direct governance over Lucasfilm and its properties.
The Complex Legacy of Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm
Appointed by George Lucas in 2012, Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership spanned Lucasfilm’s $4 billion purchase by Disney and oversaw the expansive evolution of the Star Wars universe. Her most notable accomplishment was the shift toward premium streaming content, pioneering Disney+ originals like Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian. This series introduced the highly popular character Grogu and set a new standard for episodic Star Wars storytelling, further validated by the critically acclaimed series Andor, praised for its mature and layered narrative style.
On the cinematic front, Kennedy’s tenure included the sequel trilogy – The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker – which grossed more than $4.4 billion worldwide and successfully reintroduced the saga to modern audiences. However, these films were deeply divisive among fans due to controversial creative decisions, particularly in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, generating ongoing debates over their impact on the franchise’s direction.
Beyond the saga films, other theatrical efforts faced hurdles. Solo: A Star Wars Story marked the first Star Wars movie to lose money at the box office. On television, series such as The Acolyte struggled to find an audience and were quickly canceled. Additionally, works like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny met with mixed reactions and underperformed financially, grossing $384 million worldwide, while the Willow revival was cancelled after only one season.
Many announced film projects faced development issues during Kennedy’s leadership, with high-profile films from Rian Johnson, Patty Jenkins, and Kevin Feige either delayed indefinitely or quietly shelved, further complicating perceptions of her tenure.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy
Kennedy’s exit marks a significant shift in Lucasfilm’s leadership, opening the door for Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan to steer the studio’s future initiatives. Their combined creative and operational experience aims to balance innovating new stories while honoring Star Wars’ rich heritage. As Kennedy moves back into a producing role, her focus will remain on delivering upcoming releases like the Grogu film and Starfighter, ensuring continuity during transitions. The studio faces pressure to reconcile fan expectations with ambitious new projects, making the next phase critical for Star Wars’ long-term success.
