Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for over 13 years, is stepping down from her role at the iconic Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. announced that Dave Filoni will take over as president and chief creative officer to guide Star Wars into the future. Filoni, previously the chief commercial officer of Lucasfilm, will lead the franchise alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president.
Kennedy, appointed by George Lucas himself, oversaw the expansion of the Star Wars universe since Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co., praised Kennedy as a visionary filmmaker. During her tenure, Star Wars achieved significant success at the box office, raking in over $5.6 billion US, and played a key role in establishing Disney+ as a prominent streaming platform.
However, Kennedy faced challenges in replicating the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from fans. In contrast, Filoni, known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, has been a force on the small screen. Both Kennedy and Filoni will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Before joining Lucasfilm, Kennedy had a successful career as a producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg. Her notable productions include E.T., Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Jurassic Park. At Lucasfilm, Kennedy’s most significant success was with 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which grossed over $2 billion US globally.
Despite some divisive releases under Kennedy’s leadership, such as The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One was a standout film that garnered widespread acclaim. Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape upcoming projects like Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, set for release in May 2027.
