Kathleen Kennedy, after leading Lucasfilm for over 13 years, is stepping down from her position overseeing the renowned Star Wars franchise originally created by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. has officially appointed Dave Filoni as the new president and chief creative officer to guide Star Wars into its next era. Filoni, previously Lucasfilm’s chief commercial officer, will now take the helm of this 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. Under Kennedy’s leadership, Star Wars experienced significant growth, with successful film trilogies and acclaimed streaming series like The Mandalorian and Andor. Despite the franchise’s financial success and Disney+’s establishment as a major streaming platform, Kennedy faced challenges in meeting the high expectations set by the original Star Wars trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on animated series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, will now lead Lucasfilm alongside Brennan, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. Filoni expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him and looks forward to guiding Star Wars in his new role.
Before her time at Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy was a highly successful Hollywood producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg. Her productions include iconic films like E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. Kennedy’s tenure at Lucasfilm was marked by hits such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens but also faced criticism for subsequent films like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
While Star Wars faced uncertainty on the big screen post-The Rise of Skywalker, successful streaming projects like The Mandalorian and Andor kept the franchise relevant. Challenges in maintaining the franchise’s tone and vision were evident in projects like Solo: A Star Wars Story, which saw director changes mid-production, and the shelving of a proposed Ben Solo film.
Despite the mixed reception of some films, Rogue One stood out as a success during Kennedy’s tenure, blending the classic Star Wars feel with a fresh storyline. Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape upcoming Star Wars projects, including Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, set for release in May 2027, and several other projects in development.