Rumor: Kathleen Kennedy to Step Down as Lucasfilm President by Year’s End

After 13 years at the helm of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy has reportedly informed Disney, friends, and associates that she will step down as president by the end of the year, according to multiple sources of Puck News. Disney and Kennedy’s representatives have declined to comment on the development.  It is simply a rumor for now.

Kennedy, who turns 72 in June, has been a major force in Hollywood for over four decades, having worked on and produced some of the most iconic films of all time—including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,  Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Twister and Schindler’s List. She was personally selected by George Lucas to lead Lucasfilm when Disney acquired the company in 2012 for $4.05 billion.

A Legacy of Decline

Under Kennedy’s leadership, Star Wars entered a new era. The sequel trilogy—beginning with 2015’s The Force Awakens—was a box office juggernaut, grossing over $4.4 billion worldwide. The franchise also expanded with standalone films like Rogue One, which did fairly well, and Solo, which was considered a bomb, as well as a suite of Disney+ streaming series.

Kennedy’s tenure saw the launch of The Mandalorian, which became a defining success for Disney+. The show introduced the now-iconic Grogu (“Baby Yoda”) and led to mid spin-offs such as The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka. However, some projects, including Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Book of Boba Fett, received mixed responses, and several announced films were ultimately canceled or shelved.

Beyond Star Wars, Kennedy oversaw the Indiana Jones franchise, including last year’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which cost the company about $140 million.

Willow was turned into a Disney+ show, which was quickly canceled and removed.

Disney and Kennedy’s leadership was so questionable that South Park made an episode about it.

Yet somehow, she has stayed in charge all this time.

Signs of an Imminent Departure

Kennedy had reportedly considered stepping down last year and even arranged an exit interview with a journalist, but she ultimately decided to remain in her role for another year. Recent personal decisions, including selling her Malibu home and discussing future projects with her husband, Frank Marshall, also potentially signaled her transition.

With her planned departure, Lucasfilm’s first theatrical Star Wars release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker—The Mandalorian & Grogu, slated for 2026—will now fall under new leadership. Many believe it is ridiculous that Lucasfilm has not had a theatrically released film in six years.

What’s Next for Lucasfilm?

Disney has yet to name a successor, and no official announcements have been made regarding Kennedy’s replacement. As Lucasfilm looks toward a new era, the next president will inherit a studio at a crossroads, balancing the legacy of Star Wars, the demands of the saving the fandom and franchise, and the evolving landscape of theatrical and streaming entertainment.

For now, Kennedy’s 13-year tenure at Lucasfilm will potentially conclude by the end of 2025, marking the end of a turbulent chapter in the Disney-Lucasfilm partnership.

Again, this is all rumor at this time.

Source: Puck News