Kathleen Kennedy Stepping Down as Lucasfilm President

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The iconic “Star Wars” series is anticipated to experience a significant creative overhaul by the end of the year, as Kathleen Kennedy, long-time producer and president of Lucasfilm, has announced her retirement plans. With the recent shift in the James Bond universe (shaken, not stirred) under Amazon’s creative control, it appears that “Star Wars” will follow suit, as Kennedy – who turns 72 this year – prepares to relinquish her role and usher in a new era for the cherished franchise.

As reported by Puck News, citing three sources, Kathleen Kennedy has indicated she will step down as President of Lucasfilm by the end of this year. Neither Kennedy nor Disney representatives have yet commented on the matter, but the report suggests that Kennedy, who assumed the position in 2012, initially intended to resign last year, only to change her mind. At present, the exact reasons behind Kennedy’s decision to leave remain unclear.

After achieving acclaim in films like “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “The Color Purple,” “The Goonies,” and the “Back to the Future” series, among others, Kennedy returned Star Wars to the big screen with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in 2015. This film generated over $2 billion worldwide and was applauded by both critics and viewers. Kennedy’s tenure began on a triumphant note, as we all recall what came after…

‘Star Wars’ Has Been Deeply Divisive Under Kathleen Kennedy & Disney

After the unveiling of “The Force Awakens,” things started to take a contentious turn. The subsequent chapter in the Disney “Star Wars” saga, 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” created the largest rift between critics and viewers in the franchise’s history. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently boasts a 91% approval rating from critics but only a 41% rating from audiences. Matters didn’t improve with the final installment, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” released in 2019. In this case, the opinions reversed, with the film earning a 51% score from critics and an 86% score from audiences.

Another concern is the problem of dilution, as many believe that since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the Star Wars franchise has lost its original essence and sparked indifference among fans. Initially, the debut of The Mandalorian on Disney+ in 2019 seemed promising, but the quality soon declined, even affecting The Mandalorian itself. Although some exceptional Star Wars productions like Andor and The Bad Batch have emerged from this partnership, shows such as The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and The Acolyte have received mixed to outright furious reactions from the audience.

It remains uncertain who will take over from Kathleen Kennedy as head of Lucasfilm, but it is believed that Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are strong contenders for the position. Social media users have been expressing their opinions about Kennedy’s upcoming retirement, with @metaplexmovies commenting, “Although Kathleen Kennedy has made many mistakes, it’s difficult to imagine whoever follows her won’t just be another corporate puppet contributing to the demise of Star Wars.” Meanwhile, @tomlikestocode asks, “With Kennedy leaving, will this mean a return to more George Lucas-style storytelling, a Favreau-Filoni partnership, or someone entirely new taking charge?

In director Jon Favreau’s work, titled “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” is the upcoming Star Wars film that will be shown in cinemas. The scheduled release date is set for May 22, 2026.

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2025-02-25 14:32