Kathleen Kennedy, who has been at the helm of Lucasfilm since its acquisition by Disney in 2012, is set to retire from her position this week. Her departure marks a pivotal moment for the production company behind the “Star Wars” franchise.
Disney has announced that Dave Filoni, known for his collaboration with George Lucas and his role as co-creator of “The Mandalorian,” will take over as president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm. Filoni will work alongside Lynwen Brennan, who oversees the studio’s business operations.
At age 51, Filoni assumes control of one of the most successful film franchises, which includes both live-action and animated series. Under Kennedy’s stewardship, Lucasfilm produced three successful sequels to the original trilogy and the notable spinoff “Rogue One.” However, the 2018 release of “Solo” did not perform well at the box office.
In 2019, Disney paused the development of new “Star Wars” films to prioritize live-action television content, such as “The Mandalorian,” featuring characters like Baby Yoda. During this time, Kennedy recalibrated the film strategy, resulting in the cancellation of projects by directors Patty Jenkins and Rian Johnson.
Filoni has an extensive background in creating highly regarded series, including “Ahsoka.” He previously partnered with Lucas, who personally selected Kennedy as his successor to lead Lucasfilm. Kennedy’s tenure resulted in a remarkable $5.9 billion in revenue from the five films she supervised, with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” being the standout, grossing over $2 billion worldwide.
Kennedy’s era also saw the expansion of Lucasfilm into live-action streaming series, beginning with “The Mandalorian” in 2019, and the addition of “Star Wars”-themed attractions at Disney parks.
Filoni’s journey with Lucasfilm began in 2005 when he was hired to help establish an animation studio. He was instrumental in the creation of the animated series “The Clone Wars.” Looking ahead, “The Mandalorian” will make its cinematic debut in May through a film partially written by Filoni, titled “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Another upcoming project, “Star Wars: Starfighter,” featuring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled to premiere in May 2027. Kennedy will remain involved as a producer for these films.
Additionally, Daisy Ridley, who played a significant role in the sequel trilogy, has confirmed her return for an upcoming “Star Wars” project, signaling ongoing developments within the franchise.