Star Wars chief Kathleen Kennedy steps down after 14 years

CALIFORNIA: After nearly 14 years steering one of Hollywood’s most valuable storytelling engines, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm and returning to full-time producing, marking the end of an era and the start of a carefully choreographed succession at the Star Wars studio.

The Walt Disney Studios said Dave Filoni will assume creative control as president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, while long-time executive Lynwen Brennan becomes co-president, overseeing business and operations. Both will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.

“When we acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago, we knew we were bringing into the Disney family not only one of the most beloved and enduring storytelling universes ever created, but also a team of extraordinary talent led by a visionary filmmaker who had been handpicked by George Lucas himself,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s chief executive officer. “We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.”

Kennedy will remain embedded in Lucasfilm’s future, producing upcoming theatrical releases including The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, slated for release in 2026 and 2027.

“Kathleen Kennedy has been a tremendous force in the industry for 50 years, and it’s been our privilege to have her here at Disney leading Lucasfilm for nearly 14 of them,” said Bergman. “She has steered Star Wars to incredible box office heights and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. We appreciate having her on board to produce our next couple of films, and the studio remains in extraordinarily capable hands with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.”

Taking the creative reins is Filoni, widely regarded as the heir to George Lucas’s narrative legacy. He joined Lucasfilm in 2005, helped build its animation arm and became a central architect of modern Star Wars through The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.

“My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas,” said Filoni. “From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger, and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role. May the Force be with you.”

Brennan, a Lucasfilm veteran since 1999, rose through Industrial Light & Magic before becoming one of the studio’s most influential operational leaders. She was named president and general manager of Lucasfilm business in 2024.

“Lucasfilm has played such a meaningful part in my life,” said Brennan. “It’s a community of inspiring storytellers with a rebel spirit like no other. I am honored to join Dave Filoni in leading us forward and have unwavering faith in his creative vision for the next chapter.”

Kennedy, who took charge in 2012 following Lucas’s retirement, presided over a commercial and creative reboot. She oversaw Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which shattered box-office records, as well as Rogue One, later spawning the Emmy-winning Andor. Under her watch, Star Wars expanded decisively into streaming, with The Mandalorian leading Disney+’s early rise.

“When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead,” said Kennedy. “It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices.”

Beyond Lucasfilm, Kennedy’s career reads like a history of modern Hollywood. As co-founder of Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall, she produced E.T., Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Schindler’s List and dozens more. Her films have earned over 120 Oscar nominations and 25 wins.

Now, with Filoni shaping the canon, Brennan running the engine and Kennedy still producing at full throttle, Disney is betting Star Wars can change captains without losing its way, proof that in this galaxy, succession planning matters almost as much as the Force.