Kathleen Kennedy, one of Hollywood’s most storied producers and the guiding force behind Lucasfilm for nearly 14 years, is stepping down from her role as president of the studio this week, marking the end of a transformative era for the Star Wars universe and beyond. The announcement, which had been anticipated for some time within industry circles, was confirmed by Disney and Kennedy herself, igniting a wave of reflection and speculation about the future of the beloved franchise.
Kennedy’s departure comes after a tenure that saw Lucasfilm, under her stewardship, not only relaunch Star Wars for a new generation but also expand into new creative and technological frontiers. According to Deadline, Kennedy will remain involved as a producer on the studio’s next two theatrical releases: The Mandalorian and Grogu, set for May 22, 2026, and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, slated for May 28, 2027. After these projects, she plans to pursue independent producing ventures, including, as noted by Paste Magazine, a growing interest in film projects that responsibly explore artificial intelligence.
Stepping into the leadership void are two familiar faces: Dave Filoni, who will serve as President and Chief Creative Officer, and Lynwen Brennan, who becomes Co-President. Both have worked closely with Kennedy since her arrival, bringing a blend of creative vision and operational expertise to the table. Filoni, a longtime protégé of George Lucas and the architect behind acclaimed animated and live-action Star Wars series, will now oversee the creative direction of Lucasfilm. Brennan, with over 26 years at the company and a track record of expanding Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) into a global visual effects powerhouse, will handle the business and strategic side of operations.
The transition has been in the works for nearly two years, designed to be as seamless as possible, according to Disney Studio boss Alan Bergman. In an internal email shared with Deadline, Bergman praised Kennedy’s impact: “Kathy has been a tremendous force in the industry for 50 years, and it’s been our privilege to have her here at Disney. George Lucas asked her to join him to lead Lucasfilm in 2012, shortly before it became part of Disney. She immediately got to work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which shattered box office records around the world and still stands as the biggest movie of all time in the U.S.”
Indeed, Kennedy’s record is nothing short of remarkable. Her first major act as president was to oversee the $4 billion-plus acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney, after which she spearheaded a new era of Star Wars storytelling. The five theatrical films released during her tenure—including The Force Awakens ($936.5 million in North America), The Last Jedi ($1.3 billion globally), The Rise of Skywalker ($1 billion globally), and Rogue One (over $1 billion globally)—collectively grossed $5.9 billion worldwide. Beyond the box office, Kennedy championed the expansion of Star Wars into television, launching the Emmy-winning The Mandalorian as the first live-action series for Disney+ in 2019. This was soon followed by series like Obi Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and Andor, which together have garnered 85 Emmy nominations.
Lucasfilm’s reach extended beyond screens. Under Kennedy’s leadership, the company launched immersive experiences such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland, and delved into gaming with new stories from characters like Cal Kestis and Indiana Jones, as well as integrating Star Wars into platforms like Fortnite.
Kennedy’s journey to the top of Lucasfilm is itself a piece of Hollywood legend. She began her career as an assistant to Steven Spielberg and quickly became a producing powerhouse, with credits including Gremlins, The Goonies, Poltergeist, Back to the Future, E.T., and the Indiana Jones series. Her 70-plus films have earned 25 Academy Awards and more than 120 nominations, including eight for Best Picture. In recognition of her influence, she received the Academy’s Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award and the Producers Guild’s Milestone Award.
Reflecting on her time at Lucasfilm, Kennedy stated, “When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead. It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. Their creativity and dedication have been an inspiration, and I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling.” (io9)
As the spotlight shifts to Filoni and Brennan, industry observers are keenly watching how their complementary strengths will shape the next chapter of Lucasfilm. Filoni’s Star Wars journey began in animation, building Lucasfilm’s animation studio from scratch and creating the Emmy-winning Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. He later transitioned to live action, serving as executive producer, director, and writer on hits like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Filoni expressed his gratitude, saying, “My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas. I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them. From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger, and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role, doing a job I truly love. May the Force be with you.”
Brennan’s rise through the ranks began at ILM in 1999. She became ILM President in 2009, then Lucasfilm EVP/General Manager in 2015, and was named President & General Manager, Lucasfilm Business in 2024. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding ILM’s global footprint and maintaining its status as a leader in visual effects technology. She has been recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the Visual Effects Society and was named a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Upcoming projects under this new leadership include the aforementioned The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars: Starfighter, the animated series Maul: Shadow Lord, and a second season of Ahsoka. As Paste Magazine noted, Filoni’s approach has at times leaned on nostalgia, but his deep understanding of Star Wars lore and steady hand have made him a reassuring choice for fans and Disney alike.
In the words of Disney CEO Bob Iger, “We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.” As Lucasfilm embarks on this new era, the legacy of innovation and storytelling that Kennedy leaves behind will continue to shape the galaxy for years to come.
