Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down as Lucasfilm President After 14 Years of Leadership

Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm and one of Hollywood’s most prominent producers, is stepping down after 14 years leading the studio behind the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Handpicked by creator George Lucas in 2012 after Disney acquired the company, Kennedy is credited with revitalizing the Star Wars brand through new films and streaming series. Her tenure produced five major feature films, including the sequel trilogy starring Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, which together grossed over $5 billion globally. Kennedy also oversaw the development of hit Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka, which helped expand the Star Wars universe on television. She championed greater diversity in the franchise, introducing more female leads and multicultural characters, though this approach drew mixed reactions from fans—some praising her for innovation and others accusing the studio of departing from traditional canon. Despite some missteps, most notably the disappointing box-office performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story, Kennedy’s leadership marked a period of creative expansion and technological innovation for Lucasfilm. Her successor, Dave Filoni, a respected creative force behind many Star Wars animated projects, will serve as president and chief creative officer alongside co-president Lynwen Brennan. Kennedy will remain at the studio as a full-time producer on forthcoming films including The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter. Reflecting on her time at Lucasfilm, she called it a privilege and expressed enthusiasm for mentoring a new generation of storytellers shaping the future of Star Wars.