At a Glance
- Kathleen Kennedy is leaving Lucasfilm after 13 years at the helm
- Dave Filoni promoted to president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm
- Lynwen Brennan named co-president, overseeing business operations
- Why it matters: The leadership change could reshape the future direction of the Star Wars franchise
Disney is shaking up leadership at Lucasfilm, ending Kathleen Kennedy’s 13-year tenure overseeing the Star Wars universe. The company announced Thursday that Dave Filoni will take the reins as president and chief creative officer, while longtime executive Lynwen Brennan will serve as co-president.
A New Era for Star Wars
The transition marks a significant shift for the franchise George Lucas created nearly five decades ago. Kennedy, who Lucas personally selected to succeed him, guided Lucasfilm through a period of massive expansion following Disney’s $4.05 billion acquisition in 2012.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm achieved remarkable commercial success:
- Generated more than $5.6 billion at the global box office
- Launched Disney+ as a streaming destination with hits like “The Mandalorian” and “Andor”
- Released a blockbuster sequel trilogy and multiple spinoff films
Despite these achievements, Kennedy faced persistent criticism from fans who felt the newer films failed to capture the magic of Lucas’ original trilogy. The 2017 release of “The Last Jedi” proved especially divisive, while 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” received widespread negative reviews from both critics and audiences.
Filoni’s Rise Through the Ranks
Filoni brings extensive experience within the Star Wars universe, having entered the franchise through animated series before transitioning to live-action streaming content. His credits include:
- Creating “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”
- Serving as executive producer on “The Mandalorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett,” and “Skeleton Crew”
- Developing the Disney+ series “Ahsoka”
Unlike Kennedy, whose background lies primarily in feature films, Filoni has built his reputation almost entirely through television content. He first collaborated with Lucas on “Avatar: The Last Airbender” before joining the Star Wars team.
Mixed Legacy Under Kennedy
Kennedy’s tenure produced both massive hits and notable disappointments. Her greatest success came early with 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” directed by J.J. Abrams, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide. However, subsequent theatrical releases struggled to maintain momentum.
The franchise faced several high-profile setbacks:
- “Solo: A Star Wars Story” underwent major production changes, with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller replaced by Ron Howard
- Multiple announced film projects failed to materialize after “The Rise of Skywalker”
- A proposed Ben Solo film developed with actor Adam Driver and director Steven Soderbergh was ultimately canceled by Disney CEO Bob Iger
The only theatrical release to achieve widespread fan approval during Kennedy’s era was 2016’s “Rogue One,” which told a story outside the main Jedi narrative. Even this production faced challenges, requiring extensive reshoots overseen by Tony Gilroy.
What’s Next for Star Wars
The franchise’s theatrical drought will end in May with “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” directed by Jon Favreau. Kennedy’s influence will continue to be felt through projects already in development, including Shawn Levy’s “Star Wars: Starfighter” starring Ryan Gosling, scheduled for release in May 2027.
Both Filoni and Brennan will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman, as they chart the course for Star Wars’ sixth decade.
Industry Veteran Departs
Before taking over Lucasfilm, Kennedy had established herself as one of Hollywood’s most successful producers. In 1981, she co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and her husband Frank Marshall, producing classics including “E.T.,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Jurassic Park,” and the “Back to the Future” trilogy.
Reflecting on her departure, Kennedy expressed gratitude for her time leading Lucasfilm: “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.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger praised Kennedy’s contributions, calling her “a visionary filmmaker” in the company’s announcement.
Filoni acknowledged Kennedy’s impact on expanding the Star Wars universe: “From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling on-screen that we have ever seen.”
The leadership transition comes as the entertainment industry continues to evolve, with streaming content becoming increasingly important to major studios’ strategies. Filoni’s background in both animated and live-action television could signal a continued focus on small-screen Star Wars content alongside theatrical releases.
