Lucasfilm, the iconic production studio behind Star Wars and Indiana Jones, is undergoing a significant change at the top. Kathleen Kennedy, its president of 14 years, is stepping down from her leadership role, it was announced on Thursday.
A New Dual Leadership Model
The studio will now be co-run by two internal executives. Dave Filoni, the Executive Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer best known for co-creating The Mandalorian, will take on the role of president and chief creative officer. He will share control with Lynwen Brennan, the current President and General Manager of Lucasfilm business, who will become co-president.
This move by parent company The Walt Disney Company suggests it will take two people to manage the responsibilities Kennedy handled alone. Both Filoni and Brennan will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
Kennedy's Legacy and Continued Role
Kennedy, 72, who was handpicked by George Lucas to lead Lucasfilm after its sale to Disney, released a statement reflecting on her tenure. "It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm," she said. "I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together."
Her departure is not a complete break. Kennedy will stay on as a producer for the next two Star Wars films: The Mandalorian & Grogu, slated for release on 22 May 2026, and Star Wars: Starfighter, expected in 2027. She will also be free to pursue projects outside of Lucasfilm.
Disney CEO Bob Iger paid tribute, calling Kennedy a "visionary filmmaker" who led an "extraordinary team."
Fan Reaction and a Mixed Track Record
The leadership change follows years of vocal criticism from a segment of Star Wars fans regarding Kennedy's stewardship, despite considerable commercial success. Under her watch, the Star Wars sequel trilogy grossed over $4 billion, with 2015's The Force Awakens alone earning more than $2 billion.
However, the era also saw divisive fan reactions to films like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, high-profile directorial changes on projects like Solo: A Star Wars Story, and several announced films that never materialised. The 2023 revival, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, was a box office disappointment.
On social media platform X, the news prompted mixed reactions. Some fans celebrated, calling the change "necessary," while others defended Kennedy's record, noting the franchise's expansion into successful streaming series like The Mandalorian and Andor.
With Filoni—a George Lucas mentee deeply versed in Star Wars lore—now leading the creative charge alongside Brennan's business expertise, Lucasfilm enters a new, uncertain chapter. Whether this dual leadership will steer the galaxy far, far away in a markedly different direction remains to be seen.
