Star Wars Transitions: Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down, Dave Filoni Takes Over

Following over 13 years at the helm of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is leaving her position as the studio's president, as announced by The Walt Disney Company on Thursday.

Disney has designated Dave Filoni as the new president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, entrusting him with the future direction of the Star Wars franchise. Lynwen Brennan will assist him as co-president, both reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.

Kennedy, who was handpicked by Star Wars creator George Lucas, took charge of Lucasfilm when Disney acquired it in 2012 for $4.05 billion. Under her leadership, the studio generated over $5.6 billion globally at the box office and significantly contributed to the growth of Disney+ as a streaming outlet.

In her statement, Kennedy expressed gratitude for the privilege of guiding Lucasfilm and collaborating with its creative teams. Disney CEO Bob Iger hailed her as a “visionary filmmaker” who enriched the Star Wars narrative across film and streaming platforms.

While Kennedy oversaw major successes like Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), which grossed over $2 billion worldwide, later films such as The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019) sparked divisions among fans and critics. Since 2019, cinematic Star Wars projects have paused, shifting focus towards streaming initiatives.

Prominent successes during this time included Disney+ series like The Mandalorian and Andor. The standout film during her tenure remained Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), which was met with widespread acclaim.

Dave Filoni is recognized for his contributions to Star Wars: The Clone Wars and has served as an executive producer for The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew. He closely collaborated with George Lucas and is regarded by fans as a leader with deep connections to the franchise's legacy.

Filoni expressed his gratitude to Kennedy, Lucas, and Disney for entrusting him with this role, stating he is honored to guide Star Wars into a promising future.

The next Star Wars feature film, titled “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” is scheduled for release in May 2026, marking the end of a prolonged hiatus from theaters. Additional projects approved during Kennedy's tenure, such as “Star Wars: Starfighter” featuring Ryan Gosling, are slated for May 2027 and continue to be developed.

Kennedy’s impact will remain evident in upcoming Star Wars endeavors, even as a new chapter unfolds under Filoni's guidance.