LONG THAI
Kathleen Kennedy, the longtime force behind Lucasfilm, revealed today that she’s stepping aside from her leadership role and handing control to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. The announcement follows a year of rumors about what might be next for her within the Star Wars universe.
As Kennedy shifts her focus back to broader film production, her responsibilities at Lucasfilm will be divided between the two veterans. Filoni will take charge of the creative direction as President and Chief Creative Officer, while Brennan—who has long overseen the company’s business operations—will manage the logistical and organizational side as Co‑President.
It’s a setup similar to the structure at DC Studios, where James Gunn leads the creative vision and Peter Safran oversees the operational side.
George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and founder of Lucasfilm, held Kennedy in such high regard that he personally chose her to lead the company when he sold it to Disney in 2013. In the years since, she has guided the franchise through a major revival—revamping its theatrical presence and ushering in a new era of success on streaming platforms.
Although Kennedy will stay involved for now, overseeing projects like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, attention is shifting toward Filoni. A protégé of Lucas as well, Filoni first earned acclaim through innovative storytelling in the franchise’s animated series before transitioning into live‑action work. That move has drawn mixed reactions, with some critics arguing he leans too heavily on legacy material instead of pushing the saga into uncharted territory. Still, few individuals possess his depth of knowledge or instinct for what makes Star Wars resonate.