Key Facts
- ✓ Kathleen Kennedy served as President of Lucasfilm for 14 years after being personally selected by George Lucas upon his retirement.
- ✓ Dave Filoni will serve as President and Chief Creative Officer, while Lynwen Brennan becomes Co-President in the new dual-leadership structure.
- ✓ Kennedy is currently producing 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' and 'Star Wars: Starfighter' as she transitions back to producing.
- ✓ Lucasfilm's first theatrical release since 2019, 'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' is scheduled for May release.
- ✓ The new leadership model mirrors DC Studios' structure, separating creative oversight from business operations.
- ✓ Kennedy co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall before joining Lucasfilm.
A New Era for Lucasfilm
The force is shifting at Lucasfilm. After months of speculation, Walt Disney Studios confirmed that Kathleen Kennedy is officially stepping down as President after 14 years of leadership.
The studio announced on Thursday that Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan will assume the top roles, marking a significant transition for the iconic production house.
This leadership change comes as the studio prepares for its first theatrical film release since 2019, signaling a new chapter in Star Wars storytelling.
The New Leadership Structure
The transition introduces a dual-leadership model that divides creative and business responsibilities. Dave Filoni, a longtime Lucasfilm veteran, will serve as President and Chief Creative Officer, overseeing the creative direction of the studio.
Simultaneously, Lynwen Brennan will take the role of Co-President, handling the business and operational aspects of the studio. This structure closely resembles the co-led approach currently used at DC Studios, where James Gunn and Peter Safran divide creative and business oversight.
Both executives are described as longtime Lucasfilm veterans with deep institutional knowledge. Their appointment ensures continuity while bringing fresh perspectives to the studio's future direction.
The new leadership team will be responsible for guiding Lucasfilm through its next phase of expansion across film and television platforms.
"When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead. 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."
— Kathleen Kennedy
Kennedy's Legacy and Transition
Kathleen Kennedy leaves behind a complex legacy spanning 14 years at the studio's helm. Appointed by George Lucas himself upon his retirement, she guided Lucasfilm through its acquisition by Disney and the subsequent expansion of the Star Wars universe.
During her tenure, Kennedy oversaw the release of multiple feature films and the launch of several streaming series on Disney+. Her leadership brought both significant box office success and moments of controversy within the fan community.
Following the transition, Kennedy will return to her roots in film production. She is currently producing The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, projects that bridge her past work with the studio's future.
Kennedy co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall, establishing her credentials as a prolific producer long before taking the Lucasfilm presidency.
Industry Reactions
Key figures across Disney and Lucasfilm have expressed confidence in the new leadership structure. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, praised Kennedy's contributions in a formal statement.
"When we acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago, we knew we were bringing into the Disney family not only one of the most beloved and enduring storytelling universes ever created, but also a team of extraordinary talent led by a visionary filmmaker – someone who had been handpicked by George Lucas himself, no less."
Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman, highlighted Kennedy's impact on the franchise's growth and her continued role as producer.
"She has steered Star Wars to incredible box office heights and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. We appreciate having her on board to produce our next couple of films, and the studio remains in extraordinarily capable hands with Dave Filoni, who’s a brilliant storyteller, and Lynwen Brennan, an avid innovator and business leader."
The new leaders themselves expressed gratitude and vision for the future. Filoni acknowledged his creative roots in the franchise, while Brennan emphasized her commitment to the studio's community and legacy.
Looking Ahead
The studio's immediate focus is on the May release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, which will mark Lucasfilm's return to theatrical releases after a five-year hiatus focused on Disney+ streaming content.
This transition represents a strategic shift for Lucasfilm as it balances its streaming successes with a renewed theatrical presence. The dual-leadership model aims to provide both creative vision and business stability.
For fans and industry observers, the change signals a potential new direction for the Star Wars franchise while maintaining continuity through veteran leadership.
The coming months will reveal how Filoni and Brennan's collaborative approach shapes the future of one of entertainment's most beloved universes.
"My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas. I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them. From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger, and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role, doing a job I truly love. May the Force be with you."
— Dave Filoni
"Lucasfilm has played such a meaningful part in my life. It’s a community of inspiring storytellers with a rebel spirit like no other, and I am honored to join Dave Filoni in leading us forward. I have been so fortunate to learn from George Lucas, Kathy Kennedy, and Alan Bergman and have unwavering faith in Dave’s creative vision for the next chapter in this storied studio’s legacy."
— Lynwen Brennan
"When we acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago, we knew we were bringing into the Disney family not only one of the most beloved and enduring storytelling universes ever created, but also a team of extraordinary talent led by a visionary filmmaker – someone who had been handpicked by George Lucas himself, no less. We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand."
— Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company
"Kathleen Kennedy has been a tremendous force in the industry for 50 years, and it’s been our privilege to have her here at Disney leading Lucasfilm for nearly 14 of them. She has steered Star Wars to incredible box office heights and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. We appreciate having her on board to produce our next couple of films, and the studio remains in extraordinarily capable hands with Dave Filoni, who’s a brilliant storyteller, and Lynwen Brennan, an avid innovator and business leader. They are deeply passionate and experienced executives who will continue to drive the studio and Star Wars forward in exciting new directions."
— Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman
