In a blockbuster transition that will shape the future of the galaxy far, far away, Lucasfilm today revealed that Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as President after nearly 14 transformative years, with creative powerhouse Dave Filoni and business veteran Lynwen Brennan stepping into the top roles to lead the studio forward.
Kennedy, who assumed leadership of Lucasfilm shortly before its 2012 acquisition by The Walt Disney Company, steered the franchise through an unprecedented wave of films, series, animation, and immersive experiences that redefined Star Wars for a new generation.
She will continue as producer of the studio’s next two theatrical films, The Mandalorian and Grogu (release date: May 22, 2026) and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (release date: May 28, 2027). She will then pursue other producing projects independently.
“When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead,” Kennedy said in a statement shared on StarWars.com. “It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. Their creativity and dedication have been an inspiration, and I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling.”
Filoni, previously Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, will now serve as President and Chief Creative Officer, steering the creative direction of Star Wars across film, television, and emerging platforms. Brennan, a Lucasfilm stalwart since 1999 who began her career at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) before rising to ILM President and later Lucasfilm President & General Manager of Business, will serve as Co-President, overseeing strategy, operations, and franchise management. Both will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
Kennedy’s tenure delivered monumental achievements, including the launch of the sequel trilogy with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the standalone hit Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and the launch of The Mandalorian, which pioneered live-action Star Wars television and anchored Disney+. The studio also expanded storytelling through acclaimed animated series such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and Ahsoka, as well as innovative anthology Star Wars: Visions. Other highlights include the creation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney parks and ILM’s global expansion and technological innovation.
The transition, meticulously planned over the past two years, positions Filoni—renowned for his deep roots in Star Wars mythology through The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka—and Brennan to guide the franchise with unmatched creative insight and operational excellence. Current and upcoming projects include Season 2 of Ahsoka and the new animated series Maul: Shadow Lord.
Source: StarWars.com
