Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down, Dave Filoni to Lead Star Wars

After more than 13 years leading Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her role as president of the studio behind Star Wars. The announcement was made by The Walt Disney Company on Thursday.

Disney has appointed Dave Filoni as the new president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, placing him in charge of shaping the future of the Star Wars franchise. Lynwen Brennan, president and general manager of Lucasfilm’s business operations, will serve alongside him as co-president. Both will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.

Kathleen Kennedy, who was personally chosen by Star Wars creator George Lucas, took over Lucasfilm after Disney acquired the company in 2012 for $4.05 billion. During her tenure, Lucasfilm generated more than $5.6 billion at the global box office and played a major role in building Disney+ as a streaming platform.

In a statement, Kennedy said it was a privilege to lead Lucasfilm and work with its creative teams. Disney CEO Bob Iger praised her as a “visionary filmmaker” who expanded Star Wars storytelling across films and streaming.

Kennedy’s time at Lucasfilm saw major successes, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), which earned over $2 billion worldwide. However, later films such as The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019) divided fans and critics. After 2019, Star Wars films paused on the big screen, shifting focus to streaming content.

The most successful projects during this period included Disney+ series like The Mandalorian and Andor. The only widely praised Star Wars film during Kennedy’s leadership was Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).

Dave Filoni is best known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and as an executive producer on The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew. He has worked closely with George Lucas and is seen by fans as a creative leader deeply connected to the franchise’s roots.

Filoni thanked Kennedy, Lucas, and Disney leadership for trusting him with the role, saying he is honored to guide Star Wars into the future.

The next Star Wars film, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” is set for release in May 2026, ending the long theatrical break. Several other projects approved under Kennedy, including “Star Wars: Starfighter” starring Ryan Gosling, scheduled for May 2027, remain in development.

Kathleen Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape upcoming Star Wars projects, even as a new chapter begins under Dave Filoni’s leadership.