Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her position at Lucasfilm after over 13 years, where she led the iconic “Star Wars” franchise. The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Dave Filoni will now take over 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 lead the franchise along with Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president.
Kennedy, who was handpicked by George Lucas as his successor, oversaw the expansion of the “Star Wars” universe since Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Under Kennedy’s leadership, the franchise 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. Despite these accomplishments, Kennedy faced challenges in capturing the magic of the original trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on series like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “The Mandalorian,” will now take on a greater role within the franchise. Both Filoni and Kennedy will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Before her tenure at Lucasfilm, Kathleen 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,” “Jurassic Park,” and the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Kennedy’s biggest success at Lucasfilm was with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which grossed over $2 billion globally. However, subsequent films like “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker” faced criticism from fans and critics.
Despite challenges and criticisms, Kennedy’s legacy will continue to influence upcoming “Star Wars” projects, including the highly anticipated film “Star Wars: Starfighter” starring Ryan Gosling, set for release in May 2027.