Kathleen Kennedy is Officially Out at Lucasfilm. Here’s What’s Next for Star Wars.

After nearly 14 years leading Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is leaving the presidency to return to full-time producing—handing the reins to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Kathleen Kennedy steps down after steering Star Wars to $5.9B in global box office and expanding TV with hits like The Mandalorian.

• Dave Filoni becomes president and chief creative officer; Lynwen Brennan serves as co-president overseeing business operations.

• Kennedy shifts back to producing—on Star Wars films and eclectic projects with Frank Marshall—while upcoming releases include The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter.

Why Is Kathleen Kennedy Leaving Lucasfilm?

Kennedy says the move is a long-planned transition developed with Disney leadership. She’s returning to her roots as a producer, focusing on making films without the day-to-day demands of running the studio. “I am so ready to go off and have the chance to make lots of movies,” she said in an exit interview. She’ll remain attached as a producer on projects already in motion.

What Accomplishments Did She Highlight?

Under Kennedy, Lucasfilm released five Star Wars features totaling $5.9B worldwide, including The Force Awakens crossing the $2B mark. The franchise expanded on TV with series like The Mandalorian and Andor, garnering 90+ Emmy nominations. Lucasfilm also delivered five new animated series, theme park expansions such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and growth in Lucasfilm Games—all while emphasizing George Lucas’s core values of hope and spectacle.

What Challenges Did She Face?

Kennedy acknowledged the pressure of intense fan expectations—and a vocal minority resistant to change. “The lows are that you’ve got a very, very small percentage of the fan base that has enormous expectations and basically they want to continue to see pretty much the same thing,” she said. Projects like Solo: A Star Wars Story drew criticism, with Kennedy conceding it arrived too soon. She also navigated broader cultural debates around diversity in storytelling.

How Does She View AI in Filmmaking?

Kennedy expressed cautious interest in AI as a tool—comparing today’s innovations to past leaps she’s experienced (e.g., the Jurassic Park era). She stressed responsible use and protection of artists’ rights, noting that technological shifts should serve storytelling rather than replace creators.

Who Are the New Leaders?

Dave Filoni, a George Lucas protégé, moves up from chief creative officer. Known for The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka, he’ll steer creative direction as president. Lynwen Brennan, a longtime Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic executive, becomes co-president focused on operations. Kennedy endorsed both, calling Filoni “the perfect person to transition.”

What Projects Are Coming Up?

Lucasfilm’s slate includes The Mandalorian & Grogu (directed by Jon Favreau) and Star Wars: Starfighter (a standalone led by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling with Flynn Gray). In development: a Simon Kinberg trilogy treatment, ongoing work from Taika Waititi and Donald Glover, with James Mangold paused and Rian Johnson on hold amid other commitments.

How Have Fans Reacted?

Reaction across social platforms is mixed—some celebrate the change, others defend Kennedy’s legacy of expanding Star Wars to new audiences. Many call for concrete announcements and a clear creative roadmap under the new leadership.

What’s Next for Kennedy?

Kennedy plans to produce “a lot of” Star Wars films and branch into varied projects with Frank Marshall, her longtime producing partner. She values being back on set and in the moment of filmmaking. While she cites few regrets, she wishes Solo had more breathing room from the original films. She recently met with George Lucas, who remains engaged with his Museum of Narrative Art.

Sources

• Deadline — “A Shift In The Force For Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy: The Exit Interview”

• The Hollywood Reporter — “Star Wars Shake-Up: Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down as George Lucas Protégé Dave Filoni, Exec Lynwen Brennan Take Over Lucasfilm”

• StarWars.com — “Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Studios Announce Leadership Transition”

• Variety — “Lucasfilm Replacing Kathleen Kennedy With Dave Filoni, Lynwen Brennan as New ‘Star Wars’ Bosses”

• The New York Times — “‘Star Wars’ Boss Departs, Ending an Asteroid-Filled Reign”

• IGN — “Kathleen Kennedy Leaves Lucasfilm After 14 Years, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan Named New Star Wars Overlords”

• Gizmodo — “Dave Filoni Is Taking Over Lucasfilm From Kathleen Kennedy”

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