Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for over 13 years, is stepping down from her role at the iconic Star Wars franchise created 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 the franchise into the future with Lynwen Brennan serving as co-president.
Kennedy, handpicked by Lucas as his successor, oversaw the expansion of the Star Wars universe since Disney’s acquisition in 2012. While she achieved significant success with blockbuster films and acclaimed streaming series like The Mandalorian and Andor, she faced challenges in meeting the high expectations of long-time fans of the franchise.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm achieved substantial box office success, grossing over $5.6 billion globally and playing a pivotal role in establishing Disney+ as a leading streaming platform. However, Kennedy struggled to recreate the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, will now lead Lucasfilm alongside Brennan. Both Filoni and Brennan will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Kennedy, a highly successful producer before joining Lucasfilm, co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg in 1981. Her track record includes producing iconic films like E.T., Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and the Jurassic Park series.
While Kennedy’s tenure at Lucasfilm had its share of successes, notably with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, subsequent films like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker faced mixed reviews. Despite challenges, Kennedy’s legacy includes groundbreaking projects like Rogue One, which resonated well with fans and critics.
Looking ahead, Filoni is set to lead Lucasfilm into a new era of Star Wars storytelling with upcoming projects like Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, slated for release in May 2027. Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape the future of Star Wars as the franchise embarks on new creative endeavors.