Kathleen Kennedy Reflects on Her Journey at Lucasfilm: An Exit Conversation
Kathleen Kennedy Announces Transition Plan for Lucasfilm Leadership
In a recent exclusive interview on a dreary December day in London, Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, unveiled her plans for transitioning leadership within the prominent Disney division. This announcement comes just hours after the completion of Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling.
Kennedy is set to hand over the executive reins to her longtime colleagues, Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, who has been pivotal in business operations at Lucasfilm, following 16 years at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). "I’ve been getting them ready for a couple of years," Kennedy remarked, revealing her desire to return to producing. She alluded to a future filled with Star Wars films and collaborations with her husband, Frank Marshall.
Kennedy’s storied career began long before her appointment at Lucasfilm in 2012, when Disney acquired the company for over $4 billion. She has been involved in major cinematic projects such as Poltergeist, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones, accumulating more than $11 billion in global box office grosses across her productions.
Since taking the helm 14 years ago, Lucasfilm has produced five feature films, collectively grossing approximately $5.9 billion. Among these, Star Wars: The Force Awakens shattered records with $936 million in North America alone and crossed $2 billion worldwide. Subsequent films, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, also found significant commercial success, while Rogue One surpassed $1 billion and gave rise to the acclaimed series, Andor.
Kennedy acknowledged the intense scrutiny that accompanied every project. In response to Disney’s push to expand into television and grow Disney+, Lucasfilm has also seen notable success in television, garnering over 90 Emmy nominations for series like The Mandalorian. This strategic expansion included animated series and theme park attractions, establishing Lucasfilm as a central player in the evolving entertainment landscape. The succession plan has been in the works with Disney’s Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for two years, set to take effect in early 2026.
In the interview, Kennedy elaborated on the transition, emphasizing her confidence in Filoni and Brennan. "Dave is the perfect person to transition," she said, referring to Filoni’s background in animation and his integral role in Star Wars storytelling. “He’s very talented and immersed in Star Wars.”
Reflecting on her own career, Kennedy discussed her excitement about returning to producing as well as exploring emerging technologies, including AI in filmmaking. She expressed interest in using these tools responsibly while preserving artistic integrity. "I genuinely feel like we’re entering that moment again where we’re going to see things we’ve never seen before," she stated.
When asked about the current state of the Star Wars franchise, Kennedy mentioned that Starfighter was intended as a standalone film, while also expressing willingness to collaborate with new talents in the future. "We could, but this was designed as a real stand-alone," she said, hinting at other upcoming Star Wars projects led by creators like Jon Favreau.
Throughout her career, Kennedy has navigated both highs and lows in handling a franchise beloved by many, acknowledging that while initial enthusiasm for Star Wars endures, certain aspects of fan expectations can be challenging. Kennedy expressed her resolution to tell authentic stories within the universe established by George Lucas, emphasizing the importance of both nostalgia and innovation in extending the franchise’s reach.
“I think we expanded the universe, we brought new audiences in," she concluded, reflecting on her tenure. As Kennedy prepares to embark on her next chapter, she leaves behind a legacy that has not only shaped the Star Wars saga but also redefined modern filmmaking.
