Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for over 13 years, is stepping down from her role within the iconic Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Dave Filoni will now take the helm as the president and chief creative officer of Star Wars as it moves into its sixth decade. Filoni, previously the chief commercial officer at Lucasfilm, will lead the franchise alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as co-president.
Kennedy, handpicked by Lucas as his successor, oversaw the growth of the Star Wars universe after Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, praised Kennedy as a “visionary filmmaker” during her tenure. While Kennedy’s leadership saw significant financial success with over $5.6 billion in box office revenue and the establishment of Disney+ as a streaming platform, she faced challenges in satisfying long-time fans of the original trilogy.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on animated series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, will now lead Lucasfilm alongside Brennan. Both will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman. Filoni expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to continue expanding the Star Wars storytelling universe.
Prior to her time at Lucasfilm, Kennedy had a successful career as a producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg. Her notable productions include E.T., Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. At Lucasfilm, her biggest success came with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide. However, subsequent films faced mixed reviews and fan reactions.
Kennedy’s legacy at Lucasfilm includes several upcoming projects, such as Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling, set for release in May 2027. Despite challenges and divisive responses to some films, Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape the future of the Star Wars franchise for years to come.