Lucasfilm is undergoing a significant leadership change as Kathleen Kennedy, after 14 years, steps down from her role. The studio, responsible for beloved franchises such as "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones," will now be guided by a dual leadership team: Dave Filoni as President and Chief Creative Officer, and Lynwen Brennan as Co-President. This strategic move aims to combine Filoni's creative vision with Brennan's business acumen, signaling a new era for the esteemed production company. Kennedy will maintain a connection with the company, serving as a producer for two major upcoming theatrical films.
Kathleen Kennedy's departure marks the end of an impactful era at Lucasfilm. Under her guidance, the company experienced both remarkable successes and notable challenges. She played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the "Star Wars" saga on the big screen, notably with the highly successful "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in 2015, which garnered over $2 billion globally. Subsequent sequels also performed well at the box office, as did the spin-off, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Her leadership also saw "Star Wars" successfully expand into the streaming landscape with popular series such as "The Mandalorian" and the critically acclaimed "Andor."
However, Kennedy's tenure was not without its difficulties. The 2018 film "Solo," focusing on the early life of Han Solo, faced production hurdles and ultimately underperformed commercially. There were also several announced "Star Wars" projects with prominent filmmakers like Patty Jenkins, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Taika Waititi that either did not materialize or were canceled due to creative differences, resulting in a significant gap in theatrical "Star Wars" releases. Additionally, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" in 2023 also struggled at the box office.
The new leadership team brings a wealth of experience to their roles. Dave Filoni, a long-standing veteran of Lucasfilm, was instrumental in establishing the company's animation studio in 2005 under George Lucas. He is credited with creating popular animated series like "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels." Filoni's involvement extends to live-action productions, where he has served as executive producer, episodic director, and writer for shows such as "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka," and will produce and write the upcoming film, "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
Lynwen Brennan, appointed Co-President, joined Industrial Light & Magic in 1999 and rose to become its president in 2009. She later assumed the role of President and General Manager of Lucasfilm in 2024, overseeing the company's business strategy, franchise development, and production operations, while also driving the expansion of Industrial Light & Magic. This dual appointment signifies a strategic effort to balance creative direction with robust financial and operational management.
The transition sees Kathleen Kennedy continuing her association with Lucasfilm as a producer for the forthcoming films, "The Mandalorian and Grogu," slated for 2026, and "Star Wars: Starfighter," expected in 2027. This arrangement ensures her valuable experience and creative input will still benefit the studio's key cinematic endeavors, even as she explores other independent producing ventures. The change in leadership reflects a strategic evolution for Lucasfilm, aiming to navigate future creative and commercial landscapes with a blend of proven talent and fresh perspectives.