File this report under rumor because it is speculation from Puck News. Matthew Belloni posted his predictions for 2026, and this rumor was among them, but he admits he doesn’t always get it right.
Rumors have swirled with speculation that she was leaving Lucasfilm since 2019.
However, this time I think Kathleen Kennedy stepping down from Lucasfilm is likely true. Star Wars News is also posting this rumor. They say her departure will be announced sometime this month.
She was thought to be leaving last year, and didn’t, so leaving in 2026 makes sense. Personally, I don’t know how someone can screw up as badly as she has and still be there this long. Somehow she stunted “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones”, and destroyed “Willow”, yet still has a job.
But I digress.
The rumor also states that Dave Filoni (CCO of Lucasfilm) will replace Kennedy as President of Lucasfilm, but with a partner, Lynwen Brennan.
Why Brennan, too?
She is currently the president and general manager of Lucasfilm Business. IF true, the thought process is likely that she will run the books/numbers, and Filoni would be the one driving the creative process and stories. Basically, she would be his handler because he’s never been a “true” executive before.
Frankly, I think all of Lucasfilm’s IP would benefit from having someone who isn’t a “true” executive in charge, but again, I digress.
Of course, none of this is a new rumor.
Why 2026?
If true, one possible reason for 2026 is the exit of Bob Iger as CEO of the Walt Disney Company. With a regime change imminent at Disney, Kennedy might think it’s time to get out.
She is 72, and she did confirm to Deadline last year that she would be leaving Lucasfilm and was working with Iger on succession planning saying,
“What’s happening at Lucasfilm is I have been talking for quite some time with Bob [Iger] and Alan [Horn] about what an eventual succession might look like. We have an amazing bench of people here [at Lucasfilm] and we have every intention of making an announcement months or a year down the road.”
I do think her departure from Lucasfilm is likely, but we will have to wait and see.
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
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