Kennedy Stepping Down After 14 Years; Dave Filoni Named New Creative Leader
Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm after 14 years leading the Star Wars producer, Disney announced Thursday. She will transition to a full-time producer role, while Dave Filoni, the acclaimed creator of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, takes over as president and chief creative officer.
Filoni, 51, will oversee one of the highest-grossing franchises in entertainment history alongside co-president Lynwen Brennan, who manages the studio’s business operations. The shake-up represents a significant leadership change for the Star Wars franchise, which has faced mixed critical reception in recent years.
“It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm,” Kennedy said in a statement about her transition.
Kennedy’s Legacy at Lucasfilm
Kennedy, 72, has guided Lucasfilm since Disney acquired it in 2012, overseeing three blockbuster sequels and the successful spinoff Rogue One. The five films she shepherded generated a combined $5.9 billion globally, with 2015’s The Force Awakens becoming one of the highest-grossing films ever at over $2 billion in worldwide box office.
Under her leadership, Lucasfilm also expanded into streaming television, launching series like The Mandalorian on Disney+, followed by Ahsoka and Andor. The franchise brought in more than $10.3 billion at the global box office over its entire history.
However, the franchise faced recent challenges. The 2018 film Solo flopped at the box office, prompting Disney to shift strategy from theatrical releases to streaming content in 2019. More recently, several planned Star Wars films were shelved, including projects from directors Patty Jenkins and Rian Johnson.
Filoni’s Proven Track Record
Filoni brings proven success in Star Wars storytelling. He was hand-picked by George Lucas in 2005 to help build the studio’s animation division and co-created the acclaimed animated series The Clone Wars. His work on The Mandalorian with Disney+ established him as a key creative voice for the franchise.
Both Kennedy and Filoni have worked directly with series creator George Lucas. Filoni’s appointment signals Disney’s focus on combining creative vision with franchise expansion across multiple mediums.
What’s Ahead
Kennedy will continue as a producer on upcoming Star Wars projects, including The Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled for theatrical release in May 2026, and Star Wars: Starfighter featuring Ryan Gosling, set for May 2027. Actor Daisy Ridley has also indicated she is returning for a new Star Wars project.
The leadership transition comes as Disney navigates broader executive changes across its entertainment divisions in 2026.
