Kathleen Kennedy Lucasfilm Departure 2026: Dave Filoni to Lead New Star Wars Era

The Force is shifting at the highest levels of Hollywood. After 14 years of steering one of cinema's most powerful brands, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm. According to an announcement on StarWars.com, she'll return to full-time producing, handing the reins to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan as co-presidents.

Kathleen Kennedy Lucasfilm Departure Marks the End of a 14-Year Era

Kennedy's tenure was nothing short of transformative. She joined George Lucas as co-chair just before the Disney acquisition and oversaw the massive expansion of the Star Wars universe into streaming. While she delivered commercial hits like the sequel trilogy and 'The Mandalorian', her leadership also faced headwinds. The 2018 box office disappointment of 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' and the shelving of several high-profile projects remained points of contention among critics and fans alike.

The Rise of the Successors: Filoni and Brennan

Dave Filoni, often seen as the creative heir to Lucas, steps up as president and Chief Creative Officer. Having spent over 20 years at the company, he's the architect behind 'The Clone Wars' and the recent Disney+ successes. Joining him is Lynwen Brennan, who has led the business side since 2015. This duo represents a balance of creative purity and operational expertise as the studio prepares for its next major slate.

Upcoming projects are already on the horizon. 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' is slated for release later in 2026, followed by the Ryan Gosling-led 'Star Wars: Starfighter' in 2027. Filoni expressed his gratitude in the announcement, stating he's "honored" to lead the studio forward into its next chapter.