Kathleen Kennedy Leaves Lucasfiilm: Star Wars studio Lucasfilm's longtime president Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down after 13 years. Disney brings Dave Filoni to steer the future of the franchise.
Star Wars studio Lucasfilm's longtime president Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down after 13 years [Photo: X]
Lucasfilm is entering a new era as Kathleen Kennedy, one of Hollywood's most influential producers, prepares to step down as studio president. Kathleen Kennedy has led the Star Wars franchise for over a decade, overseeing blockbuster films, streaming series, and global expansion.
Her departure marks a significant shift in creative leadership, with Disney appointing Dave Filoni to guide the franchise’s next chapter. This change reflects both the studio’s confidence in Filoni’s vision and the evolving strategy for the iconic saga.
During her 13-year tenure, Kathleen Kennedy guided Lucasfilm through one of its most commercially successful yet sometimes controversial periods. She oversaw a blockbuster sequel trilogy and hit streaming series like The Mandalorian and Andor, helping cement Disney+ as a major platform and bringing in over $5.6 billion at the global box office.
Despite these achievements, Kennedy faced challenges in recapturing the cinematic magic of the original Star Wars films, and her decisions sometimes frustrated longtime fans. The combination of high expectations and evolving franchise demands contributed to her decision to step down, paving the way for a new creative direction under Dave Filoni.
After more than a decade leading Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president, marking a major change in leadership for the Star Wars franchise.
The Walt Disney Company announced the shift this week, appointing Dave Filoni, a key creative behind many recent Star Wars hits, to steer the studio’s creative future. Kennedy will remain involved as a full-time producer on upcoming films.
The change comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise, which continues to expand globally through movies and streaming series.
Kennedy, 72, took the helm of Lucasfilm in 2012 when Disney acquired the studio from Star Wars creator George Lucas. Under her leadership, the franchise expanded with box-office hits and new storytelling frontiers.
She oversaw the blockbuster sequel trilogy and hit spin-offs like Rogue One, and played a key role in launching Star Wars television on Disney+, including series such as The Mandalorian and Andor. These efforts helped make Star Wars a cornerstone of Disney’s streaming strategy.
“I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Kennedy said in her statement, noting the creative talent she worked with at Lucasfilm.
Dave Filoni, 51, has been a central creative figure at Lucasfilm for years. A protégé of George Lucas, Filoni first rose to prominence developing Star Wars animated series, such as The Clone Wars and Rebels. He later transitioned into live-action hits, including The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
Filoni will serve as president and chief creative officer, focusing on the creative direction of Star Wars films and shows, while Lynwen Brennan will co-lead as co-president, handling business and operational matters.
“It’s a new chapter,” Filoni said, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to guide the franchise forward.
Kennedy’s departure ends one of the longest leadership runs in Star Wars history. During her time, Lucasfilm re-established the franchise as a major global entertainment force, generating billions in revenue and expanding into theme parks, publishing, and gaming.
Her successor, Filoni, is widely respected for his deep understanding of Star Wars lore and storytelling. Fans see him as someone who can bridge the gap between classic trilogy tones and modern narratives.
Meanwhile, Kennedy will remain influential in upcoming projects she will produce, including highly anticipated big-screen releases.
“Star Wars” is now entering its sixth decade, with new creative leadership at the helm. Disney’s decision to split creative and business leadership between Filoni and Brennan reflects a strategy used across its other studios, such as Pixar, to balance storytelling with commercial success.
For fans and Hollywood alike, this transition marks both an end and a beginning — a chance to refresh the vision of one of the world’s most enduring and beloved franchises.
