Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm and head of the Star Wars franchise, plans to step down this year
Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm and a key figure in the Star Wars franchise since 2012, plans to step down at the end of this year.
Here's What We Know
Kennedy, who is 72, was appointed by George Lucas after Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012. During her tenure at the studio, she became a controversial figure, especially among Star Wars fans. While her tenure was marked by successes, such as the release of the trilogy, which grossed more than $4.4 billion at the global box office, she also received criticism for some of the decisions and controversies surrounding the universe.
Kennedy had planned to step down in 2024, but decided to stay on for another year. Now, her departure coincides with a time of big changes at Lucasfilm, including the upcoming film The Mandalorian Grogu and the planned relaunch of television projects after the release of Andor's second season.
Among the possible successors to Kennedy, Dave Filoni, George Lucas' protégé and the director of many Star Wars television projects, is most often mentioned. However, his experience in big cinema is still limited, making his appointment ambiguous. The change of leadership at Lucasfilm comes at a critical moment for the franchise, and the future of Star Wars will depend on the choice of a new leader.
Source: Puck
