Kathleen Kennedy to Step Down as Lucasfilm President

Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for over a decade, is reportedly preparing to retire by the end of 2025. A report from Puck suggests that Kennedy has informed her close associates about her decision, though neither she nor Lucasfilm have made an official statement.

A Decade at the Helm of Star Wars

Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 as co-chair alongside George Lucas. That same year, Disney acquired the company for $4 billion, leading to Lucas’s departure and Kennedy’s appointment as president. Under her leadership, Star Wars saw a significant resurgence, beginning with The Force Awakens (2015), which grossed over $2 billion worldwide.

Highs and Lows of Kennedy’s Leadership

Throughout her tenure, Kennedy made several bold and controversial decisions:

• She replaced directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller during the production of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which later became the first Star Wars film to lose money.
• Rogue One director Gareth Edwards was sidelined in favor of Tony Gilroy, who oversaw reshoots. Despite this, the film earned over $1 billion globally.
• Multiple Star Wars projects were announced but never materialized, including Rian Johnson’s planned trilogy and a project by Game of Thrones creators D.B. Benioff and David Weiss.

The Disney+ Era of Star Wars

While Star Wars films have struggled at the box office in recent years, the franchise has flourished on Disney+.

• The launch of The Mandalorian (2019) introduced Grogu (Baby Yoda) and became a cultural phenomenon.
• Success followed with spin-off series such as The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka.

Kennedy’s Lasting Hollywood Legacy

Beyond Star Wars, Kennedy has had an extraordinary career. She collaborated with Steven Spielberg and her husband, producer Frank Marshall, to deliver Hollywood classics, including:

• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• Back to the Future trilogy (1985-1990)
• The Goonies (1985)
• Indiana Jones franchise

With over 70 film productions and eight Academy Award nominations, Kathleen Kennedy’s impact on Hollywood is undeniable. As Lucasfilm prepares for its next chapter, the industry eagerly awaits her official retirement announcement and what’s next for Star Wars under new leadership.

Stay tuned for more updates on Kathleen Kennedy’s departure and the future of Lucasfilm.