After 14 years at the helm of the Star Wars juggernaut, Kathleen Kennedy is leaving Lucasfilm, and being replaced by two high-profile executives.
When the Walt Disney Company acquired all things Star Wars in 2012, Kathleen Kennedy was named President of Lucasfilm, and charged with the task of making new movies, then segueing into television.
Episodes VII, VIII, and IX followed in the shape of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker, plus additional feature films Solo and Rogue One.
Star Wars also entered the streaming realm via The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, and Andor. But now Kennedy’s time at the company has drawn to a close.
Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan to lead Star Wars studio
With Kathleen Kennedy now departing, Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and General Manager Lynwen Brennan will jointly lead Lucasfilm.
Filoni – who built Lucasfilm’s animation studio and was one of the driving forces behind The Mandalorian – is adding ‘President’ to his job title.
Brennan – former head of Industrial Light & Magic, and responsible for production operations and business strategy at Lucasfilm – becomes Co-President.
Why is Kathleen Kennedy leaving Lucasfilm?
Kathleen Kennedy departs Lucasfilm “to pursue other producing projects independently,” as per a report on Variety.
But that doesn’t mean she’s leaving Star Wars behind entirely, as Kennedy will serve as producer on forthcoming movies The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Star Wars: Starfighter.
Regarding Kennedy’s departure, Disney CEO Bob Iger wrote in a 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.
“We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.”
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