Kathleen Kennedy is leaving her role as Lucasfilm president after 14 years at the helm of the Star Wars franchise, one of the biggest in Hollywood history. She will now focus on producing films full-time.
Kennedy, chosen by Star Wars creator George Lucas, guided the franchise through a major reboot. She oversaw five feature films, including the blockbuster sequel trilogy with Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, which broke box office records in the United States and earned over $5 billion worldwide. Not every project was a hit, however, with Solo: A Star Wars Story becoming the studio’s first major box office disappointment.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on Lucasfilm’s animated shows, will take over as president and chief creative officer, working alongside co-president Lynwen Brennan. Filoni credited Kennedy with overseeing the “greatest expansion” in Star Wars storytelling.
Under Kennedy, Lucasfilm also made a big push into streaming with hits like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and the critically acclaimed Andor. She introduced more female leads and diverse characters, which won praise for inclusivity but drew criticism from some fans who felt it pushed a social agenda. Some longtime followers also disagreed with the decision to create new shows that didn’t strictly follow decades of Star Wars lore from novels and comics.
Even after stepping down, Kennedy will continue producing upcoming projects, including The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling. Reflecting on her time at Lucasfilm, she said, “It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. I’m excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling.”
