LOS ANGELES, 17 January 2026 — A major leadership shift has begun at Lucasfilm, the studio behind the iconic Star Wars franchise, as longtime president Kathleen Kennedy steps down after more than 13 years at the helm, ushering in a new creative era under Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.
End of a Defining Era for Star Wars
Kathleen Kennedy, who was personally chosen by Star Wars creator George Lucas to lead Lucasfilm after Disney’s acquisition in 2012, announced her departure from the company’s top role earlier this week. Her tenure oversaw a period of immense expansion for the franchise, including a blockbuster sequel trilogy, spin-off movies, multi-season Disney+ series like The Mandalorian and Andor, and the opening of Star Wars-themed lands at Disney parks worldwide.
While her leadership delivered billions of dollars in box office and streaming success, it also faced mixed reactions from fans, particularly around some films and creative decisions, contributing to an era of both tremendous growth and occasional controversy among the passionate Star Wars community.
New Leaders, New Direction
Stepping into the leadership void, Dave Filoni has been named president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm. Filoni has been with the company for more than two decades and is widely credited with shaping its most successful television content, building out expansive storytelling through series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
Joining Filoni as co-president is Lynwen Brennan, a veteran executive with deep operational and business experience at Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic. Together, the leadership duo is charged with guiding Star Wars into its next chapter across film, television and broader media platforms.
A Pivotal Moment for the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Industry watchers say the transition is more than just a personnel change, it reflects a critical moment for the franchise as it prepares to balance theatrical ambition with deep storytelling that resonates with both long-time devotees and new audiences. Under Kennedy, Star Wars expanded rapidly into streaming, helping anchor Disney+ as a global platform, but theatrical releases became less frequent. The upcoming “The Mandalorian and Grogu” film, scheduled for release in May 2026, will be the first major test of the brand under the new leadership.
Filoni’s creative vision, often praised by fans for capturing the spirit of the original series while expanding the Star Wars universe, is seen as a stabilising force that could bridge nostalgia and innovation, a necessary balance after years of divergent reactions to big-screen films.
Future Projects on the Horizon
Beyond The Mandalorian and Grogu, Lucasfilm also has Starfighter, a new feature slated for release in 2027, already in production with acclaimed director Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling attached, representing one of the next major theatrical entries in the franchise.
As Kennedy transitions to a producer role for these upcoming films, her legacy will remain built into the fabric of modern Star Wars storytelling, a legacy now evolving under Filoni’s creative stewardship and Brennan’s strategic leadership.
