Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for over 13 years, is stepping down from her role at the iconic Star Wars entity founded by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. announced that Dave Filoni will now take the helm as president and chief creative officer to guide Star Wars into its next era. Filoni, previously the chief commercial officer at Lucasfilm, will lead the franchise alongside Lynwen Brennan, who will be the co-president.
Kennedy, chosen by Lucas as his successor, oversaw the expansion of the Star Wars universe following Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co., praised her as a “visionary filmmaker.” During her tenure, Kennedy steered Star Wars to over $5.6 billion in global box office revenue and played a pivotal role in establishing Disney+ as a prominent streaming platform.
Despite successful ventures like The Mandalorian and Andor, Kennedy faced challenges in satisfying long-time fans and recreating the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy. In contrast, Filoni, known for his work on TV series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, is set to bring his expertise to the franchise’s leadership. Both Filoni and Kennedy will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Before joining Lucasfilm, Kennedy had a prolific career as a producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall. Her notable productions include E.T., Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. Her biggest hit at Lucasfilm was Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
While Kennedy’s tenure saw mixed responses to subsequent Star Wars films, such as The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Filoni aims to continue expanding the franchise’s storytelling on-screen. Kennedy’s influence will still be felt in upcoming projects like Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling, slated for release in May 2027, and other developments in progress.
