The Kathleen Kennedy Era Has Come to an End: Disney Officially Announces New Lucasfilm Leadership
Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan take the helm of Lucasfilm.
After nearly 14 years at the helm of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of the studio. She will be replaced by two company veterans: Dave Filoni, appointed President and Chief Creative Officer, and Lynwen Brennan, who became Co-President and head of the business division. The personnel changes were officially announced by Disney Studios head Alan Bergman.
Kennedy, who has headed Lucasfilm since 2012, will remain the producer of the two upcoming Star Wars films: The Mandalorian & Grogu, scheduled for release on May 22, 2026, and Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, slated for May 28, 2027. After that, she will focus on independent production projects.
Disney CEO Bob Iger thanked Kennedy for her "invaluable contribution to the development of Star Wars" and called her "one of the most influential figures in Hollywood history." Kennedy herself stated that she is proud of the work done and is happy to hand over Lucasfilm "into the hands of those who grew up within the studio and share its spirit."
The change in leadership has been discussed at Disney for the past two years - the company sought the smoothest possible transition to maintain continuity. Filoni has been with Lucasfilm since 2005: he was at the origin of the animation direction and was one of the key authors of the series "The Clone Wars", "Rebels", "Ahsoka" and "The Mandalorian". He is often called the chief ideologist of the modern era of "Star Wars" and the person who best understands the universe.
Lynwen Brennan began her career in 1999 at Industrial Light & Magic, a company founded by George Lucas. In recent years, she has overseen Lucasfilm's business division and will effectively continue to handle the studio's financial and operational management in her new role as co-president.
