Kathleen Kennedy has officially stepped down as president of Lucasfilm after nearly 14 years at the helm, marking one of the most significant leadership transitions in modern Hollywood history. The announcement, confirmed by The Walt Disney Studios on January 14, 2026, ends months of speculation and ushers in a new dual-leadership structure that will shape the future of the Star Wars franchise and beyond.​

A Historic Tenure Comes to an End

Kennedy's departure, effective immediately, closes a chapter that began with Disney's $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012. During her presidency, she oversaw an unprecedented expansion of the Star Wars universe, producing films that collectively grossed over $4.7 billion worldwide. Her portfolio included major successes like The Force Awakens (which grossed over $2 billion globally) and critically acclaimed series such as The Mandalorian and Andor. However, the journey wasn't without turbulence—projects like Solo: A Star Wars Story underperformed commercially, and Kennedy's tenure was frequently marked by passionate fan debates about creative direction.​​

In her new role, Kennedy will transition back to full-time producing, continuing her involvement with upcoming Lucasfilm projects, including The Mandalorian and Grogu (scheduled for May 22, 2027) and Star Wars: Starfighter. She will also pursue independent producing opportunities outside the studio. The move represents a return to Kennedy's roots as one of Hollywood's most successful producers, with a career box office exceeding $13 billion across 36 films.​​

Meet the New Guard

The leadership vacuum will be filled by two seasoned Lucasfilm veterans working in tandem. Dave Filoni, widely regarded as George Lucas's creative protégé and affectionately called his "Padawan," ascends to the role of president and chief creative officer. The 51-year-old animation director was personally recruited by Lucas in 2005 to build Lucasfilm Animation and develop Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an Emmy-winning series that ran for seven seasons and introduced beloved characters into canon. Filoni's fingerprints are all over recent Star Wars successes—he created Ahsoka and served as executive producer and writer on The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Skeleton Crew.​

Joining Filoni as co-president is Lynwen Brennan, who brings over two decades of operational expertise. Brennan started at Industrial Light & Magic in 1999 and rose to become ILM president in 2009, where she spearheaded the company's global expansion with new offices in Vancouver, Singapore, and London. Since 2015, she has served as Lucasfilm's general manager, overseeing business strategy, operations, marketing, games, and consumer products across Lucasfilm, ILM, and Skywalker Sound. Both executives report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.​

What This Means for Star Wars' Future

The new dual-leadership model divides responsibilities strategically—Filoni will guide the creative vision, while Brennan will manage business operations. This structure acknowledges that modern franchises require both artistic integrity and operational excellence, particularly as Lucasfilm accelerates production across film, television, theme parks, and interactive media.​

Filoni's elevation signals a creative philosophy that honors Lucas's original vision while embracing innovation. Fans have long viewed him as the "torchbearer" of authentic Star Wars storytelling, someone who understands the mythology deeply while demonstrating skill in both animation and live-action. His promotion from chief creative officer—a role he assumed in November 2023—represents a natural progression that many in the fan community anticipated.​

The timing couldn't be more critical. With multiple Star Wars films and series in development, Lucasfilm stands at a creative crossroads. The Kennedy era expanded the universe dramatically but also revealed the challenges of balancing legacy expectations with contemporary storytelling. Whether Filoni and Brennan can navigate these complexities while maintaining box office momentum and fan enthusiasm will define the next chapter of one of entertainment's most valuable properties.​

As Kennedy herself told Deadline in recent interviews, succession planning is "natural for a major studio," though she emphasized her ongoing commitment to filmmaking with the memorable declaration that she will "die making movies". That passion now shifts to producing, while two trusted lieutenants steer Lucasfilm into uncharted territory—a galaxy that's far, far away, yet somehow feels closer to home.​