Kathleen Kennedy Says She’s Not Retiring

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Contrary to widespread speculation, the retirement plans of Kathleen Kennedy have been overstated, and she has clarified the situation herself. On Monday, February 25, 2025, a report from Puck suggested that Kennedy, who has served as president of Lucasfilm and the mastermind behind the Star Wars franchise under Disney since 2012, was planning to retire in 2025. However, it appears that this information was misconstrued, as she is not actually retiring.

Kathleen Kennedy addressed the rumors about her future at Lucasfilm with Deadline. Contrary to some reports, she is not planning to retire, but instead, she’s preparing potential successors to take over when the time is right. This contradicts a previous Puck article suggesting that Kennedy had not found a protégé to pass on the mantle. Here is Kennedy’s exact statement for complete clarity and to put any confusion to rest: “I am not retiring, but I am identifying potential successors to carry on the Lucasfilm legacy.

Let me make this crystal clear – I am not retiring from the world of movies. In fact, I plan on working until the end. That’s an essential point I wanted to share. Regarding Lucasfilm, I’ve been having discussions with Bob and Alan for quite some time now about what a potential succession might look like. We have an incredible team here, and we’re planning to make an announcement about this in the coming months or even a year from now. We’re all on the same page about how this will unfold, and I’m not going anywhere. As a matter of fact, I’m currently working on ‘Mandalorian’ and Sean Levy’s movie after that, right here at Lucasfilm. So, I’m continuing my journey here, thoughtfully considering who might take over with Bob and Alan.

Everything is set in motion, and we have the freedom to share our news whenever we deem fit…There’s always been a clear strategy since we’ve been discussing this for years due to my impending departure. George asked me 13 years ago to take over, and now I’m considering who will succeed me. Fortunately, we have talented individuals within our team ready to manage the business and creative aspects. The role has evolved significantly since I took it on as there was no streaming or many of the activities we’re engaged in today. Therefore, the job has expanded over time.

In May 2012, George Lucas selected Kathleen Kennedy to co-president of Lucasfilm, paving the way for her future role as president following the studio’s sale to the Walt Disney Corporation in October of the same year. Under Kennedy’s leadership, four out of five Star Wars films broke the $1 billion mark at the global box office, with The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi being the top-grossing movies domestically and internationally for their respective years. She also oversaw the franchise’s successful transition to streaming platforms, producing hit shows such as The Mandalorian, Andor, and Skeleton Crew. Disney has consistently regarded Kennedy as a valuable asset, extending her contract in 2018, 2021, and 2024. Despite speculation that she might be replaced in 2021, these rumors proved unfounded, highlighting the continuity of her tenure at Lucasfilm.

Kathleen Kennedy Isn’t Going Anywhere Anytime Soon

Regardless of Kennedy’s achievements in film production, such as her work on critically acclaimed movies prior to her association with Star Wars, Kennedy has generated significant controversy online. Certain segments of the Star Wars fanbase believe she has harmed the franchise, pointing to missteps like Solo: A Star Wars Story, which was the first film in the series to flop at the box office, and disappointing shows like The Book of Boba Fett, as well as numerous announced projects that were never realized. These mistakes have led some fans to blame Kennedy entirely, without giving her credit for the successes. Additionally, Kennedy has faced sexist criticism and attacks from a misogynistic segment of the fanbase.

Currently, the Star Wars universe finds itself at an intriguing juncture. Although it’s making a significant shift towards streaming platforms, with Andor Season 2 and Ahsoka Season 2 seemingly being the final major live-action Star Wars series for Disney+, the focus is returning to the big screen. The Mandalorian & Grogu, slated for release in May 2026, marks this transition. Several other Star Wars films are also under development, such as one featuring Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey and James Mangold directing a movie about the first Jedi. These upcoming projects may suggest that Kathleen Kennedy isn’t planning to step down anytime soon, given the numerous initiatives in the pipeline that fans eagerly anticipate. In response to those online who might have hoped for her departure, Kennedy has asserted her continued involvement, much like Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, declaring, “I’m not leaving.

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2025-02-28 14:24