After more than 13 years leading Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her role in the iconic Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. revealed on Thursday that Dave Filoni will now take the reins as the president and chief creative officer to guide Star Wars into its next phase.
Filoni, who previously held the position of chief commercial officer at Lucasfilm, will now take on the responsibility of overseeing the flagship franchise, alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president. Kennedy expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with the exceptional talent at Lucasfilm during her tenure.
Having been handpicked by Lucas as his successor, Kennedy has been instrumental in expanding the Star Wars universe since Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co., lauded her as a visionary filmmaker. Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm achieved significant success at the box office, generating over $5.6 billion and playing a pivotal role in establishing Disney+ as a prominent streaming platform.
While Kennedy’s tenure saw the release of successful projects like The Mandalorian and Andor, she faced challenges in satisfying long-time Star Wars fans with the cinematic releases. Filoni, known for his work on The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm under the guidance of Kennedy, Lucas, Iger, and Bergman.
Before joining Lucasfilm, Kennedy had a successful career as a producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall. Her notable productions include E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. At Lucasfilm, her biggest commercial success was with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
Despite challenges faced by subsequent Star Wars films, Kennedy’s legacy includes successful projects like Rogue One. The future of Star Wars remains promising with upcoming projects like Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, set for release in May 2027.
Kennedy’s influence will continue to be felt in the Star Wars universe for years to come, with a lineup of projects in development stages. Filoni and Brennan will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman, as they navigate the future of one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history.