After leading Lucasfilm for over 13 years, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her position within the Star Wars franchise established by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Dave Filoni will now take the reins as the president and chief creative officer to guide Star Wars into its sixth decade and beyond. Filoni, previously the chief commercial officer of Lucasfilm, will now lead the iconic franchise alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president.
Reflecting on her tenure, Kennedy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the exceptional talent at Lucasfilm. She has overseen the growth of the Star Wars universe since Disney’s acquisition in 2012, with Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Co., praising her as a visionary filmmaker.
During Kennedy’s tenure, Star Wars saw significant financial success, amassing over $5.6 billion at the box office and playing a key role in establishing Disney+ as a prominent streaming platform. However, despite these achievements, Kennedy faced challenges in replicating the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on animated series such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, will now lead Lucasfilm alongside Brennan. Both will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman. Filoni expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm and continue expanding the Star Wars storytelling on-screen.
Before her time at Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy was a successful producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg. Her productions include iconic films like E.T., Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released in 2015, marked a successful start to Kennedy’s tenure, grossing over $2 billion worldwide.
Despite facing challenges with subsequent Star Wars releases, Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape upcoming projects, including Star Wars: Starfighter, set for release in May 2027. The future of Star Wars remains dynamic, with a lineup of projects in various stages of development under Kennedy’s legacy.
