After months of speculation and swirling rumors, it’s now official: Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as President of Lucasfilm after a remarkable 14-year run, marking the end of an era for one of the world’s most beloved entertainment brands. The announcement, made by Walt Disney Studios and Lucasfilm on January 15, 2026, signals a major leadership transition that will see two longtime Lucasfilm veterans, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, take the reins as President and Chief Creative Officer, and Co-President, respectively. Kennedy, however, isn’t leaving the galaxy far, far away entirely—she will remain as a producer on high-profile upcoming projects, including “The Mandalorian & Grogu” and “Star Wars: Starfighter.”
Kennedy’s departure comes at a pivotal moment for Lucasfilm. According to What’s On Disney Plus, she will shift from her executive post back to full-time producing, a role she’s excelled in for decades. Her legacy is substantial: she presided over the blockbuster return of Star Wars with the launch of “The Force Awakens,” guided the studio through the creation of the sequel trilogy, and expanded the franchise into new territory with the Emmy-winning “The Mandalorian,” “Andor,” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office. Kennedy also oversaw the studio’s move into live-action streaming series, producing hits like “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Ahsoka,” and acclaimed animated projects such as “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” and “Star Wars: Visions.”
In her farewell statement, Kennedy reflected on her journey: “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.”
Her successor, Dave Filoni, is no stranger to fans or the inner workings of Lucasfilm. Since joining the studio in 2005, Filoni has been a driving creative force behind the expansion of the Star Wars universe. He worked closely with George Lucas to build the animation division, launching acclaimed series like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Rebels,” and “The Mandalorian”—the latter of which helped usher in a new era of live-action storytelling for the franchise. Filoni’s work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, and he currently serves as showrunner for “Ahsoka,” now in production for its second season. He’s also co-developing “The Mandalorian & Grogu” feature film with Jon Favreau, slated for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026.
Upon his appointment, Filoni expressed both gratitude and excitement: “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.”
Filoni won’t be leading Lucasfilm alone. Lynwen Brennan, who joined the company in 1999 and rose through the ranks at Industrial Light & Magic before becoming General Manager of Lucasfilm in 2015, will serve as Co-President. Brennan has been widely recognized for her strategic vision and commitment to innovation, guiding Lucasfilm through transformative technological shifts. Her leadership has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Visual Effects Society and the title of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Brennan’s own statement echoed her deep connection to the studio and its future: “Lucasfilm has played such a meaningful part in my life. It’s a community of inspiring storytellers with a rebel spirit like no other, and I am honored to join Dave Filoni in leading us forward. I have been so fortunate to learn from George Lucas, Kathy Kennedy, and Alan Bergman and have unwavering faith in Dave’s creative vision for the next chapter in this storied studio’s legacy.”
Industry leaders were quick to praise Kennedy’s transformative impact and the new leadership team. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, remarked, “When we acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago, we knew we were bringing into the Disney family not only one of the most beloved and enduring storytelling universes ever created, but also a team of extraordinary talent led by a visionary filmmaker – someone who had been handpicked by George Lucas himself, no less. We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.” Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman, added, “Kathleen Kennedy has been a tremendous force in the industry for 50 years, and it’s been our privilege to have her here at Disney leading Lucasfilm for nearly 14 of them. She has steered Star Wars to incredible box office heights and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. We appreciate having her on board to produce our next couple of films, and the studio remains in extraordinarily capable hands with Dave Filoni, who’s a brilliant storyteller, and Lynwen Brennan, an avid innovator and business leader. They are deeply passionate and experienced executives who will continue to drive the studio and Star Wars forward in exciting new directions.”
While Kennedy’s time at the helm has been marked by both triumphs and controversies—including director changes, vocal fan criticism over the sequel trilogy, and debates about diversity and representation—her influence on the shape of modern blockbuster storytelling is undeniable. She co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall, and her handpicked stewardship by Lucas himself cemented her as a key figure in the franchise’s legacy.
The new leadership model at Lucasfilm, reminiscent of DC Studios’ split between creative and business oversight, is designed to play to the strengths of both Filoni and Brennan. According to Empire, this approach is expected to provide stability and creative vision as Lucasfilm prepares for its next era. With “The Mandalorian & Grogu” set to be Lucasfilm’s first theatrical release since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” and a slate of projects in development—including Simon Kinberg’s planned trilogy, James Mangold’s “Dawn Of The Jedi” (currently on hold), “Hunt For Ben Solo,” and a new Rey movie—the pressure is on for the new co-presidents to deliver.
Fans and industry observers alike note that while the leadership change is significant, the immediate impact on the franchise’s direction may be gradual, as many projects are already deep in production. Still, with Lucasfilm’s 50th anniversary celebrations on the horizon and a renewed focus on both cinematic and streaming content, the stage is set for Filoni and Brennan to chart a bold new course for the studio.
As Lucasfilm turns the page, the next chapter in its storied legacy is poised to begin—guided by the steady hands of two leaders who know the Force, and the fans, better than almost anyone else.
