The legendary studio is reportedly bracing for a sweeping transformation within its executive ranks.
In late February of last year, reports began circulating that Kathleen Kennedy was preparing to vacate her position as the head of Lucasfilm. While Kennedy personally dismissed these claims shortly after—famously remarking that she would “die making movies”—she did not deny that internal discussions regarding a succession plan were underway, noting that such a transition would require significant time. At that point, industry analysts speculated she would remain in her role until the end of 2025 before officially stepping down.
According to a recent report from Puck News, this timeline is becoming increasingly concrete. Sources suggest that Kennedy’s long-standing tenure is indeed nearing its conclusion, and Disney is expected to announce a formal restructuring of Lucasfilm’s leadership in the very near future.
The report indicates that Dave Filoni is set to take charge of the studio’s creative direction. As a protégé of George Lucas and a driving force behind the modern “Star Wars” television expansion, Filoni would oversee the artistic growth of the franchise across all platforms, from theatrical blockbusters to streaming series.
Meanwhile, financial and operational oversight is expected to remain under the purview of Lynwen Brennan, the current President and General Manager of Lucasfilm Business.
Kennedy has been at the helm of the studio since 2012, taking the reins following Disney’s landmark $4 billion acquisition of George Lucas’s company. Her era saw the launch of the sequel trilogy, standalone features such as “Rogue One” and “Solo,” and the brand’s pivot to prestige television with “The Mandalorian,” “Andor,” and the more divisive “The Acolyte.”
Despite her commercial success, many of her creative and managerial strategies sparked intense friction within the fan community. A vocal portion of the audience frequently blamed her leadership for a perceived decline in the franchise’s quality, which is why reports of a potential changing of the guard have been met with significant enthusiasm.
Nevertheless, insiders point out that the specifics of Kennedy’s exit are still being finalized. It remains possible that while she leaves her post as studio president, she may continue to exert influence over future Lucasfilm projects in a producing capacity.
Source: iXBT.games