Confirming what we reported last week, The Force has officially shifted.
Lucasfilm and Disney have announced a major leadership change as Kathleen Kennedy steps down as president of Lucasfilm after 14 years.
As expected, Dave Filoni has been named President and Chief Creative Officer of the studio, with Lynwen Brennan stepping up as Co-President, overseeing business operations.
The move confirms months of speculation and positions Filoni—the creative mind behind The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka—as the new face of Star Wars going forward.
Filoni’s Era Begins
In the official announcement, Filoni acknowledged the influence of both Kennedy and George Lucas on his career.
“My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas. I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them,” said Filoni. “From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role, doing a job I truly love. May the Force be with you.”
Filoni will continue working on upcoming projects, including Ahsoka Season 2 and The Mandalorian and Grogu film, which hits theaters May 22, 2026. He’ll also steer the overall creative vision across all Star Wars platforms, from Disney+ to the big screen.
Brennan Takes the Business Helm
Lynwen Brennan, a 25-year veteran of Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, joins Filoni as Co-President. Brennan’s business leadership has been instrumental in Lucasfilm’s technological innovations and strategic direction. She emphasized the company’s “rebel spirit” and voiced strong support for Filoni’s creative direction.
“Lucasfilm has played such a meaningful part in my life,” said Brennan. “It’s a community of inspiring storytellers with a rebel spirit like no other, and I am honored to join Dave Filoni in leading us forward. I have been so fortunate to learn from George Lucas, Kathy Kennedy and Alan Bergman and have unwavering faith in Dave’s creative vision for the next chapter in this storied studio’s legacy.”
Brennan began at ILM in 1999, led the visual effects studio by 2009, and was appointed General Manager of Lucasfilm in 2015. She became President and GM of Lucasfilm Business in 2024.
Kennedy Returns to Producing
Kennedy will remain at Lucasfilm in a producing role, starting with The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy. While she’s stepping down as president, Kennedy will stay involved in shaping key projects.
Bob Iger and Alan Bergman praised Kennedy’s leadership, with Iger noting she was “handpicked by George Lucas himself” and Bergman calling her a “tremendous force” in the industry.
“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,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.”
“Kathleen Kennedy has been a tremendous force in the industry for 50 years, and it’s been our privilege to have her here at Disney leading Lucasfilm for nearly 14 of them,” added Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. “She has steered Star Wars to incredible box office heights and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. We appreciate having her on board to produce our next couple of films, and the studio remains in extraordinarily capable hands with Dave Filoni, who’s a brilliant storyteller, and Lynwen Brennan, an avid innovator and business leader. They are deeply passionate and experienced executives who will continue to drive the studio and Star Wars forward in exciting new directions.”
Kennedy reflected on her tenure.
“When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead,” said Kennedy. “It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. Their creativity and dedication have been an inspiration, and I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling.”
Her Legacy
Kennedy took over Lucasfilm in 2012 after Disney’s $4 billion acquisition. She launched a new Star Wars trilogy, multiple billion-dollar box office hits like The Force Awakens and Rogue One, and ushered in the streaming era with shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, Ahsoka, and more.
However, her time also saw fan backlash over divisive creative choices and canceled projects. This leadership change is widely seen as Disney’s effort to reset the franchise under Filoni’s more fan-favored vision.
Just yesterday, saw the announcement that Disney is revamping Star Wars Land and bringing back Darth Vader, Luke, and more.
Kenney also offered an update on the state of Star Wars, confirming things are on hold.
Kennedy, one of the most decorated producers in Hollywood, leaves behind a legacy of more than 70 films, multiple Oscars, and collaborations with Spielberg, Lucas, and others on blockbusters like E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and The Sixth Sense.
