After over 13 years leading Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her role in the Star Wars franchise established by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Dave Filoni will now take the reins as president and chief creative officer of Star Wars, guiding it into its sixth decade and beyond. Filoni, previously Lucasfilm’s chief commercial officer, will lead the iconic franchise, with Lynwen Brennan, president and general manager of Lucasfilm’s businesses, joining as co-president.
Reflecting on her tenure, Kennedy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside the exceptional talent at Lucasfilm. Under her leadership, the Star Wars universe expanded significantly following Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co., hailed Kennedy as a visionary filmmaker. While overseeing the franchise, Kennedy led the production of a lucrative trilogy and successful streaming spinoffs like The Mandalorian and Andor, although facing challenges with some long-time fans.
During Kennedy’s tenure, Lucasfilm achieved box office success, grossing over $5.6 billion worldwide and contributing to the growth of Disney+. However, she faced criticism for not capturing the same magic as the original Star Wars trilogy and encountered challenges in satisfying loyal fans. Dave Filoni, known for his work on The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, will now lead Lucasfilm alongside Brennan, reporting to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Kennedy, a highly accomplished producer before joining Lucasfilm, co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg in 1981. Her notable productions include E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. At Lucasfilm, her biggest success was Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, which grossed over $2 billion globally. Kennedy’s era also saw divisive films like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, leading to a hiatus in Star Wars film releases.
Looking ahead, Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to break the big screen hiatus in May. Despite challenges and successes in the Star Wars universe under Kennedy’s leadership, the future of the franchise remains uncertain. Kennedy’s involvement will continue to influence upcoming projects, including Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling, scheduled for release in May 2027, and several other initiatives in development.