Kathleen Kennedy Leaves Disney! What’s Next for Star Wars & Lucasfilm?

A Major Leadership Change at Disney’s Lucasfilm

Los Angeles, CA – March 2, 2025 – After more than a decade at the helm of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy has announced she will step down as president of the company by the end of 2025. The decision marks the end of an era for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the broader Disney empire, as Kennedy has been a pivotal figure in shaping the franchise’s modern resurgence.

While Kennedy has confirmed she is leaving Lucasfilm, she has made it clear that she is not retiring from filmmaking. “I will never retire from making movies. I will die making movies,” she stated in a recent interview.

A Legacy of Iconic Films and Franchise Expansion

Kathleen Kennedy’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary, spanning over four decades and shaping some of the most iconic films in cinematic history. Her journey began as a collaborator and producer alongside legendary filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, where she played a crucial role in producing blockbuster films that defined generations.

She co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Spielberg and Frank Marshall in the early 1980s, a move that placed her at the forefront of some of Hollywood’s most successful productions. Among her early accomplishments, she served as producer or executive producer on classics such as:

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – One of the most beloved sci-fi films of all time, grossing nearly $800 million worldwide and earning nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

• The Indiana Jones franchise – Helping bring Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) to life.

• Jurassic Park (1993) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) – Revolutionizing special effects in cinema and breaking global box office records.

Her reputation as a powerhouse producer was cemented through these successes, making her one of the most influential women in Hollywood history.

Leading Lucasfilm and the Star Wars Revival

In 2012, after Disney acquired Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4.05 billion, Kennedy was handpicked by Lucas himself to take the reins as president of the company. This decision placed her in charge of one of the most beloved and lucrative franchises in cinema history.

Kennedy wasted no time in spearheading the revival of Star Wars, greenlighting an ambitious plan that would see a new trilogy, spin-off films, and expanded universe projects introduced to a new generation of fans. The first installment of this effort, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), became a box office juggernaut, grossing over $2 billion worldwide and reigniting excitement for the franchise after a decade-long hiatus since Revenge of the Sith (2005).

She also oversaw the release of:

• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – A critically acclaimed standalone film that grossed over $1 billion worldwide, praised for its gritty take on the Star Wars universe.

• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) – A divisive film that sparked intense debates among fans, but still earned $1.3 billion globally and was nominated for four Academy Awards.

• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – A box office underperformer that led to a strategic shift in Lucasfilm’s theatrical plans.

• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – The concluding chapter of the sequel trilogy, which drew mixed reviews but still grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

While Kennedy’s tenure saw record-breaking box office success, it also polarized the Star Wars fanbase. Creative decisions, particularly regarding the direction of the sequel trilogy, led to heated debates among longtime fans, with some embracing the new vision and others criticizing the lack of a cohesive overarching plan.

Expanding Star Wars Beyond the Big Screen

One of Kennedy’s greatest successes at Lucasfilm was expanding Star Wars beyond films and bringing the franchise into the streaming era. Under her leadership, Lucasfilm launched a series of Disney+ projects that became some of the most celebrated Star Wars content in recent years:

• The Mandalorian (2019–present) – Created by Jon Favreau, the show introduced Grogu ("Baby Yoda"), revitalized interest in Star Wars, and won multiple Emmy Awards.

• The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022) – A spin-off centered on the legendary bounty hunter, expanding lore from The Mandalorian.

• Andor (2022–present) – A critically acclaimed political thriller-style Star Wars series, widely regarded as one of the best-written projects in the franchise.

• Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) – Brought back Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader, delighting prequel-era fans.

• Ahsoka (2023) – Led by Dave Filoni, this show continued Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Rebels storylines, thrilling longtime fans.

The success of Disney+ projects helped steady the franchise after the mixed reception of the sequel trilogy, proving that Star Wars still had strong storytelling potential outside of theatrical releases.

Kennedy also set the foundation for future Star Wars projects, including upcoming films from Taika Waititi, James Mangold, and Dave Filoni, as well as the much-anticipated The Acolyte (2024) series.

Beyond Star Wars: Reviving Indiana Jones and Lucasfilm’s Future

Though much of her focus was on Star Wars, Kennedy also oversaw Lucasfilm’s other major properties, including the revival of Indiana Jones. In 2023, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was released, marking Harrison Ford’s final portrayal of the legendary character. While it received mixed reviews, it was a significant moment for the franchise, bringing closure to the Indiana Jones saga under Kennedy’s leadership.

She also led efforts to explore new Lucasfilm projects, including original films like Children of Blood and Bone, based on the popular novel series, though some projects faced production challenges.

A Pioneering Legacy in Hollywood

Beyond her contributions to Lucasfilm, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones, Kathleen Kennedy’s impact on Hollywood is undeniable.

She is one of the most successful producers of all time, with films she has worked on grossing over $12 billion worldwide. She has also been a champion for diversity and inclusion in filmmaking, pushing for greater representation in both storytelling and leadership at Lucasfilm.

Her decision to step down as president of Lucasfilm in late 2025 marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a transformative figure in entertainment is secure. Whether fans loved or criticized her decisions, she leaves behind a body of work that has shaped modern cinema in a way few others have.

Even as she moves on from Disney and Lucasfilm, her passion for storytelling and filmmaking remains as strong as ever. As she once stated:

"I will never retire from making movies. I will die making movies.

Mixed Reception and Industry Challenges

Despite her numerous achievements, Kathleen Kennedy’s time at Lucasfilm was marked by both massive successes and significant challenges. While she played a key role in reviving the Star Wars franchise, her tenure also faced intense scrutiny, controversy, and difficult creative decisions that reshaped Lucasfilm’s strategy.

The Sequel Trilogy: A Divisive Legacy

The Star Wars sequel trilogy was a financial success, but it also became one of the most controversial eras in the franchise's history.

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) was a massive success, grossing over $2 billion and reigniting global excitement for Star Wars. However, many fans criticized it for being too derivative of A New Hope (1977).

• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) took bold creative risks, subverting fan expectations, but split audiences down the middle. Some praised director Rian Johnson for breaking from tradition, while others criticized the film’s handling of Luke Skywalker and major plot developments. Despite the controversy, it earned $1.3 billion and four Academy Award nominations.

• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) attempted to course-correct, bringing back Emperor Palpatine and undoing elements from The Last Jedi, but it faced backlash for feeling rushed and inconsistent. While it still crossed the $1 billion mark, the film left the sequel trilogy without a clear overarching vision, leading to a mixed legacy.

The backlash over the sequel trilogy highlighted one of the biggest criticisms of Kennedy’s leadership—the lack of a cohesive, long-term plan for Star Wars storytelling. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which had a well-structured roadmap under Kevin Feige, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars films felt disjointed, with creative differences leading to behind-the-scenes conflicts and sudden director changes.

Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Shift Away from Theatrical Releases

One of the biggest setbacks during Kennedy’s tenure was Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), which became the first Star Wars film to bomb at the box office.

• Budget Issues & Director Changes – Originally directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film went through extensive reshoots after they were fired and replaced by Ron Howard, significantly increasing the budget.

• Underwhelming Box Office Performance – Despite a solid reception from critics, Solo earned just $392 million worldwide, far below the franchise’s usual billion-dollar benchmarks.

Following Solo's failure, Kennedy and Lucasfilm re-evaluated their approach to Star Wars films, leading to the cancellation or delay of several planned theatrical projects.

Canceled & Delayed Star Wars Films

Under Kennedy’s leadership, multiple Star Wars films were announced but never made it to production:

• Rogue Squadron (Directed by Patty Jenkins) – Originally scheduled for 2023, but was indefinitely shelved.

• Kevin Feige’s Star Wars Movie – The Marvel Studios president’s project was scrapped.

• David Benioff & D.B. Weiss’ Star Wars Trilogy – The Game of Thrones showrunners were initially hired to develop a trilogy but later left the project.

• Rian Johnson’s Trilogy – Announced in 2017, but has remained in limbo, with Johnson focusing on his Knives Out franchise instead.

The repeated cancellations and delays fueled rumors of internal struggles, with some reports suggesting creative differences between Kennedy and filmmakers over the direction of the franchise. These setbacks ultimately forced Lucasfilm to shift its focus from theatrical films to streaming projects on Disney+.

A Shift to Streaming and The Mandalorian’s Success

While the Star Wars sequel trilogy left the fanbase divided, Kennedy found renewed success through streaming.

• The Mandalorian (2019–present) became a cultural phenomenon, introducing Grogu (Baby Yoda) and revitalizing interest in Star Wars.

• The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022) expanded on The Mandalorian universe, though it received mixed reviews.

• Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) reunited Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, becoming a major streaming hit despite criticisms of pacing and execution.

• Andor (2022–present), led by Diego Luna, received widespread critical acclaim, praised for its mature storytelling and depth.

• Ahsoka (2023) expanded on beloved Star Wars Rebels characters, further expanding the Star Wars timeline.

The success of these **Disney+ series shifted the focus of Star Wars from theatrical blockbusters to long-form storytelling on streaming, an approach that ultimately redefined the franchise’s future.

The Future of Star Wars: A Course Correction?

By the end of Kennedy’s tenure, Lucasfilm had finally begun mapping out a more structured future for Star Wars. Upcoming projects include:

• The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) – The first post-sequel trilogy film.

• James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi film – Set thousands of years before the Skywalker Saga.

• Dave Filoni’s Mandalorian-era crossover film – Expected to bring together key Disney+ characters.

• Rey’s New Jedi Order movie (starring Daisy Ridley) – A continuation of the sequel trilogy’s legacy.

While Kathleen Kennedy faced significant challenges, she played a crucial role in reshaping Star Wars for a new era. Her departure marks a turning point for Lucasfilm, as fans and industry insiders look ahead to who will take the reins and what direction the franchise will take next.

Who Will Replace Kathleen Kennedy?

With Kathleen Kennedy’s departure set for late 2025, speculation is mounting over who will take the reins of Lucasfilm and lead the Star Wars franchise into its next era. As one of the most high-profile positions in the entertainment industry, the role of Lucasfilm president will require a leader with creative vision, business acumen, and deep knowledge of the franchise.

Several key figures have emerged as potential successors, each bringing unique strengths that could shape the future of Star Wars and Lucasfilm as a whole.

Jon Favreau: The Visionary Filmmaker

One of the most frequently mentioned candidates is Jon Favreau, the acclaimed director, writer, and producer who played a pivotal role in launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Iron Man (2008).

Favreau’s deep ties to both Disney and Star Wars make him a strong contender for the Lucasfilm presidency:

• The Mandalorian (2019–present) – Favreau is the creator and executive producer of The Mandalorian, which has become a defining success for Disney+, introducing Grogu (Baby Yoda) and revitalizing excitement for the franchise.

• Expanding the Star Wars Universe – Favreau has spearheaded multiple Star Wars projects, including The Book of Boba Fett (2021) and Ahsoka (2023), helping to establish a cohesive interconnected universe similar to the MCU.

• Hollywood Leadership Experience – Favreau has extensive experience balancing creative storytelling and studio expectations, making him a strong candidate for overseeing Lucasfilm’s future direction.

His ability to craft compelling narratives while managing large-scale productions aligns well with what Disney may be looking for in Kennedy’s successor. However, some speculate that Favreau may prefer to stay in a more creative role, rather than take on the extensive business and executive responsibilities that come with being Lucasfilm president.

Dave Filoni: The Star Wars Purist

Another fan-favorite candidate is Dave Filoni, who is often regarded as George Lucas’s protégé. His deep understanding of Star Wars lore and decades of experience working within the franchise make him a natural successor to Kennedy.

Filoni’s Star Wars credentials are unmatched:

• The Clone Wars (2008–2020) – As the creator and showrunner, Filoni expanded Star Wars lore, introduced fan-favorite characters like Ahsoka Tano, and played a key role in developing Anakin Skywalker’s backstory.

• Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018) – Another critically acclaimed animated series, which further explored the Rebel Alliance’s origins and Darth Vader’s hunt for Jedi survivors.

• Live-Action Success with Ahsoka (2023) – Filoni made the leap to live-action, writing and directing Ahsoka, which brought beloved animated characters into the mainstream Star Wars universe.

• Creative Vision for Star Wars – Filoni has been described as one of the most trusted Star Wars storytellers, ensuring that new projects stay true to George Lucas’s original vision.

While Filoni is an undisputed master of Star Wars storytelling, some industry insiders question whether he has the executive leadership experience needed to run a major Hollywood studio. However, with his recent promotion to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm, he has already begun taking on a larger leadership role, making him a strong contender for the top job.

Other Potential Candidates

While Favreau and Filoni are the most frequently discussed potential successors, other industry figures could emerge as contenders:

Michelle Rejwan

A longtime producer at Lucasfilm, Michelle Rejwan was a key figure in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and previously served as Senior Vice President of Live Action Development & Production at Lucasfilm. She worked closely with Kathleen Kennedy and has been involved in overseeing major projects, but she stepped down from her executive role in 2022 and has since focused on producing.

Rick Famuyiwa

A director and executive producer on The Mandalorian, Rick Famuyiwa has proven himself as a strong creative force in the franchise. His ability to direct high-quality episodes and manage major productions makes him a possible choice, though he has not been publicly linked to a leadership role at Lucasfilm.

Kevin Feige (Unlikely But Possible)

As the President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige has been instrumental in building the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) into the most successful franchise of all time. Rumors of Feige’s interest in Star Wars have circulated for years, and he was previously attached to developing a Star Wars film before the project was scrapped.

However, Feige’s full commitment to the MCU makes his involvement with Lucasfilm leadership unlikely.

Disney’s Next Move: Finding a “Steady Hand”

Disney and CEO Bob Iger have yet to confirm who will replace Kennedy, but the company’s decision will be crucial in shaping the future of Lucasfilm.

With multiple upcoming Star Wars projects, including:

• The Acolyte (2024)

• James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi film

• Dave Filoni’s Mandalorian-era crossover film

• Rey’s New Jedi Order movie starring Daisy Ridley

…the next Lucasfilm president will need to bring stability, strong leadership, and a clear vision for where the Star Wars franchise is headed.

As fans eagerly await Disney’s decision, one thing is clear—whoever replaces Kathleen Kennedy will inherit one of the most beloved and scrutinized franchises in cinematic history

What’s Next for Kathleen Kennedy?

While Kathleen Kennedy leaves Disney and Lucasfilm, she has made it clear that her career in film is far from over. Having been one of the most influential producers in Hollywood history, she is expected to continue working on major film projects outside of Lucasfilm.

For now, the Star Wars franchise is at a crossroads, and the next chapter will depend on who steps in to take Kennedy’s place. Fans and industry experts alike will be watching closely to see how Disney handles this transition and what the future of Star Wars will look like post-Kennedy.

A New Era for Lucasfilm Begins

Kathleen Kennedy’s departure signals a new era for Lucasfilm and the Star Wars universe. Whether her successor continues her legacy or takes the franchise in a different direction, one thing is certain—Kennedy’s influence on Hollywood and pop culture will be felt for generations to come.

With over 40 years in the industry, countless blockbusters under her belt, and an unshakable passion for storytelling, Kathleen Kennedy remains one of the most powerful figures in entertainment history. While her chapter at Lucasfilm is closing, her journey in film is far from over.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

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