Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down as Lucasfilm President; Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan Take Over
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is leaving after 14 years; Dave Filoni becomes president and chief creative officer, Lynwen Brennan co-president, while Kennedy returns to producing.
Overview
Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president since 2012, will step down after 14 years and transition to full-time producing, the studio announced on Jan. 15.
Dave Filoni will become president and chief creative officer, credited for animated and streaming hits like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka and Andor, and will lead creative strategy.
Lynwen Brennan will serve as co-president overseeing Lucasfilm’s business operations and finance while both leaders report to Disney Entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman.
Under Kennedy Lucasfilm released five feature films and multiple series that expanded the franchise on Disney+, collectively earning more than $5.6 billion at the global box office.
The leadership change aims to preserve creative continuity amid fan debate over tone and direction; Kennedy will continue producing major projects including The Mandalorian & Grogu and Starfighter.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Kennedy's exit as a managerial success tempered by contested creative choices, using evaluative language ("first ever box office flop") and positive attributions (Filoni's "greatest expansion") as source content. They foreground accomplishments and allied praise while compressing dissent into vague "some fans" critiques, downplaying organized critical perspectives.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Dave Filoni will become president and chief creative officer, leading creative strategy with credits on The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Andor. Lynwen Brennan will serve as co-president, overseeing business operations and finance; both report to Disney Entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.