Major Shake-Up: Kathleen Kennedy Out at Lucasfilm! What This Shocking Change Means for Star Wars Fans!

After more than 13 years guiding the iconic Lucasfilm franchise, Kathleen Kennedy is set to step down as the president of the company that brought Star Wars to new heights following its acquisition by The Walt Disney Co. in 2012. In a significant leadership transition announced on Thursday, Disney revealed that Dave Filoni will take over as the president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president.

Reflecting on her tenure, Kennedy expressed gratitude, stating, “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.”

Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm saw a period of both commercial success and fan division. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Co., hailed her as “a visionary filmmaker,” highlighting her role in overseeing a lucrative phase that yielded over $5.6 billion in box office revenue. This period featured the release of a blockbuster trilogy and numerous acclaimed streaming series, including The Mandalorian and Andor. Yet, her term was not without challenges; she faced increasing frustration from loyal fans who longed for the magic of the original trilogy.

While Kennedy managed to expand the Star Wars universe, her journey was marked by controversies. The original trilogy from the late 1970s and early 1980s set a high bar that Kennedy struggled to meet. Although the franchise established Disney+ as a key player in the streaming market, the latest films did not resonate with fans to the same extent. Her stewardship included significant hits like 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide, but followed up with the divisive The Last Jedi in 2017 and the critically panned The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

Filoni, who previously served as the chief commercial officer of Lucasfilm, has made his mark primarily in television. He entered the franchise through the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and has been involved in other popular series like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. In his announcement, Filoni expressed gratitude to those who provided him with the opportunity to lead, saying, “From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling on-screen that we have ever seen. May the Force be with you.”

Before her time at Lucasfilm, Kennedy was a formidable force in Hollywood, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and her husband Frank Marshall. She produced iconic films such as E.T., Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy.

While her successes include the widely praised Rogue One in 2016, which managed to break new ground within the franchise, her term was marred by struggles over vision and tone. A notable example is the troubled production of the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, which saw its directors replaced and ultimately resulted in a lukewarm reception. Furthermore, Adam Driver’s revelations about a scrapped film centered on his character, Ben Solo, highlighted the ongoing frustrations among fans, culminating in public outcry.

As Filoni steps into this pivotal role, he will be responsible for steering the iconic franchise into its sixth decade. Projects are already in the pipeline, including Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, featuring Ryan Gosling, slated for release in May 2027. Although Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape future endeavors, including ongoing projects, the transition signals a new chapter for the storied franchise.