Kathleen Kennedy, after leading Lucasfilm for over 13 years, is stepping down from 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 to guide Star Wars into its next era. Filoni, previously the chief commercial officer at Lucasfilm, will lead the franchise alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president.
Kennedy, handpicked by Lucas as his successor, oversaw the growth of the Star Wars universe since Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co., hailed her as a visionary filmmaker. Under Kennedy’s leadership, Star Wars achieved significant box office success, raking in over $5.6 billion globally and playing a pivotal role in establishing Disney+ as a premier streaming platform.
However, Kennedy faced challenges in recreating the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from devoted fans. Filoni, known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Both Filoni and Brennan will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Before her tenure at Lucasfilm, Kennedy had a successful career as a producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg. She produced blockbuster hits like E.T., Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. Kennedy’s most significant success at Lucasfilm was the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
Despite some divisive reactions to subsequent Star Wars films, Kennedy’s legacy includes successful streaming projects like The Mandalorian and Andor. The future of Star Wars remains uncertain, with struggles over creative direction and fan expectations. Notably, the spinoff film Rogue One received widespread acclaim during Kennedy’s tenure.
Kennedy’s influence will continue to be felt in upcoming Star Wars projects, including the highly anticipated Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling, set for release in 2027. The franchise is poised for further expansion under new leadership, with a range of projects in development.