Goodbye, Kathleen Kennedy: New Updates Come To Light About Replacement

Change is on the horizon for Star Wars—and for the studio that has steered the galaxy for over a decade.

With longtime Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy reportedly preparing to depart soon, the question isn’t just who will take over, but what direction the storied franchise will go next.

Kennedy’s tenure began when George Lucas handpicked her to lead the studio after its acquisition by Disney in 2012. Her leadership quickly ushered in a new era with 2015’s The Force Awakens. The film became a box office triumph, reuniting original trilogy icons while introducing a new cast of heroes and villains.

However, the sequel trilogy didn’t unfold smoothly. While some embraced the bold choices in Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi (2017) and Abrams’ return for The Rise of Skywalker (2019), others were sharply divided. The reaction left the future of Star Wars on the big screen unclear.

In response, Lucasfilm pivoted to television and found success. Disney+ shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka captured attention with deep character work and immersive world-building. But not every project has landed as firmly. The Acolyte has sparked heated reactions, and the lack of new theatrical films since 2019 has raised eyebrows.

Announcements have been frequent, but follow-through has been less so. At Star Wars Celebration 2023, Kennedy revealed plans for three new films. In early 2024, things pivoted again, with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu being announced and targeting May 2026 for release.

Still in active development are James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, Dave Filoni’s crossover event, and a Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy-helmed Rey film. Simon Kinberg is also producing a new trilogy, which is thought to be Episodes X, XI, and XII.

In a shift that raised eyebrows, Disney delayed its December 2026 Star Wars feature to prioritize Ice Age 6. But 2027 is now set to bring Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. Set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, it marks the franchise’s return to theaters in earnest.

Meanwhile, The Mandalorian’s TV run appears to be over. Din Djarin and Grogu are reportedly moving to the big screen for good, a sign of how seriously Lucasfilm is taking its upcoming cinematic slate.

Whoever takes Kennedy’s place won’t just manage creative development—they’ll oversee one of Disney’s most valuable brands, with all the pressure and complexity that comes with it. As The Hollywood Reporter previously stated, “the job is more business than storytelling.”

“‘One reason Kathy stuck around for so long is because there is no credible alternative,’ said one person who has many interactions with Lucasfilm leadership,” the outlet noted. “Sources say former Lucasfilm executive Rayne Roberts, who was at the company for 12 years, was being groomed by Kennedy as a likely replacement. But just last week, Roberts was announced as Searchlight’s new senior VP of production.”

One insider put it bluntly: “What people don’t understand is that it’s not a creative job […] That’s about 10 percent. The rest of it is dealing with Disney, licensing, and fans.”

A likely successor? Dave Filoni. The longtime Lucasfilm figure and George Lucas protégé has risen through the ranks, most recently serving as Chief Creative Officer. His collaboration with Jon Favreau helped establish The Mandalorian as a cultural hit, and together they’ve defined the New Republic era of Star Wars storytelling.

Filoni and producer Carrie Beck are now reportedly in line to lead the studio together. According to THR, their promotion would coincide with broader executive changes at Disney, including the eventual transition from CEO Bob Iger to Josh D’Amaro as CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

“The current thinking is a scenario where chief creative officer Dave Filoni and production head Carrie Beck–both Lucasfilm vets–take co-head roles,” The Hollywood Reporter explained. “Even as an arm of Disney, Lucasfilm remains, in many ways, a family business, and as a George Lucas protégé, Filoni long has been considered a golden boy.”

Filoni’s work on The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and The Bad Batch helped reinvigorate Star Wars animation and solidified his reputation as a trusted voice within the franchise.

Other names continue to swirl in speculation. Jon Favreau is a respected figure behind the camera. Kevin Feige, despite his own Star Wars project fizzling, remains a formidable candidate thanks to his work with the MCU. Industry veterans like J.J. Abrams, Emma Watts, and Hannah Minghella have also been cited by THR previously as possible contenders.

No matter who ends up taking the helm, the mission is clear: revitalize Star Wars’ cinematic presence, expand streaming successes, and guide the next era of storytelling for one of the most enduring brands in entertainment.

What are your thoughts on Kathleen Kennedy’s possible exit? Who should lead the next phase of Lucasfilm? Let us know in the comments below.