After more than a decade leading one of Hollywood’s most influential studios, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm. Her departure marks a major leadership transition for the studio behind Star Wars, one of the most successful entertainment franchises in cinematic history.
A Fourteen Year Tenure at Lucasfilm
Kennedy took over leadership of Lucasfilm in 2012 after being personally selected by George Lucas. Her appointment coincided with Disney’s acquisition of the studio, placing her at the center of a period of corporate change and creative reinvention.
During her tenure, Kennedy oversaw the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise with five feature films that together generated more than $5 billion in global box office revenue. The sequel trilogy introduced a new generation of characters and became some of the highest-grossing releases in the franchise’s history.
Creative Expansion and Mixed Reception
Kennedy also guided Lucasfilm’s expansion into streaming, producing series such as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka and the critically acclaimed Andor for Disney+. These projects broadened the scope of Star Wars storytelling and helped establish the franchise as a cornerstone of streaming television.
Her leadership was not without controversy. While films like The Force Awakens were commercial successes, Solo: A Star Wars Story became the franchise’s first box office disappointment. Kennedy’s emphasis on new storytelling directions and greater diversity among lead characters drew both praise and criticism from fans.
New Leadership Structure
As Kennedy transitions into a full time producing role, Dave Filoni will take over as president and chief creative officer, working alongside co president Lynwen Brennan. The new structure is designed to pair creative leadership with operational oversight as Lucasfilm enters its next phase.
Filoni credited Kennedy with overseeing the most expansive period of Star Wars storytelling, highlighting the scale and ambition of projects developed under her leadership.
What Comes Next
Kennedy will remain involved at the studio as a producer on upcoming films, including The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter. These projects are expected to play a key role in shaping the future direction of the franchise.
Conclusion
Kathleen Kennedy’s exit as Lucasfilm president closes a transformative chapter for the studio. Her tenure redefined Star Wars for a new era while sparking ongoing debate about its creative direction. As new leadership takes the reins, Lucasfilm faces the challenge of balancing legacy, innovation and fan expectations moving forward.
