Kathleen Kennedy Lucasfilm Departure 2026: The End of a $5.6 Billion Era

The Force just shifted at Disney. After 13 years overseeing the Star Wars universe, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from Lucasfilm. The company announced Thursday that it'll turn to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan to steer the franchise into its sixth decade.

Kathleen Kennedy Lucasfilm Departure 2026: A Mixed Legacy

Kennedy's reign was a financial powerhouse. Under her stewardship, Lucasfilm amassed more than $5.6 billion at the global box office. This lightning-fast ROI more than validated Disney's 2012 acquisition of the company for $4.05 billion. Beyond the big screen, she helped launch Disney+ into a streaming destination with hits like The Mandalorian.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. While The Force Awakens smashed records with $2 billion in 2015, the subsequent sequel trilogy became bitterly divisive. Fan frustration grew as projects were announced and then scrapped, leading to a long cinematic dry spell that hasn't seen a Star Wars film in theaters since 2019.

Dave Filoni: The Creative Heir Apparent

The promotion of Dave Filoni marks a pivotal shift toward creative-led leadership. Filoni, who collaborated directly with George Lucas on The Clone Wars, is widely seen as the guardian of the franchise's lore. He'll take the creative reins while Brennan handles the financial side, a structure fans hope will bring back the magic of the original trilogy.