In a move that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the passionate Star Wars fandom, Kathleen Kennedy, the longtime president of Lucasfilm, is reportedly set to retire by the end of 2025.
After more than a decade steering one of Disney’s most iconic franchises into the ground, Kennedy’s departure marks the end of an era defined by ambitious expansion, woke creative decisions, and a relentless push to modernize a galaxy far, far away. The news—first reported by industry insider Matthew Belloni of Puck—has sparked widespread speculation about the future of Star Wars and its place within Disney’s sprawling empire.
Kennedy’s tenure began in 2012 when she joined Lucasfilm as co-chair alongside founder George Lucas. Months later, Disney acquired the studio for $4 billion, Lucas stepped away, and Kennedy ascended to the presidency.
Handpicked by Lucas himself, she brought a storied resume, having co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and produced cultural juggernauts like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and the Indiana Jones series. Her task at Lucasfilm was monumental: revive Star Wars for a new generation while honoring its legacy.
She failed miserably.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Disney launched the Star Wars sequel trilogy, beginning with 2015’s The Force Awakens, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide and reignited global fervor for the franchise. The trilogy, concluding with 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, raked in more than $4.4 billion combined, though it faced diminishing returns and fierce backlash from some fans over its narrative direction.
Spin-offs like Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018) followed, alongside a bold pivot to streaming with Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian, Andor, and The Acolyte. The Mandalorian, in particular, became a cultural phenomenon, proving Star Wars could thrive beyond the big screen.
The Acolyte, on the other hand, was panned as a woke expression of personal failures that woefully found themselves polluting the failed project.
Critics—especially vocal segments of the fanbase—accused her of steering the franchise toward radical leftist territory, citing diverse casting and progressive themes as departures from Lucas’s original vision. High-profile stumbles, like the cancellation of The Acolyte after one season due to low viewership, and the debacle of 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, fueled calls for her ouster.
Elon Musk famously piled on, branding her “more deadly than the Death Star” in 2024 for her creative choices. Even South Park took a swipe, lampooning her as a symbol of Disney’s pandering.
Kathleen Kennedy is reportedly stepping down as president of Disney’s Lucasfilm
South Park summed her up: pic.twitter.com/TBSZnQZoal
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 25, 2025
Despite the criticism, Kennedy remained woke. In a 2024 New York Times interview, she defended her approach, arguing that “storytelling does need to be representative of all people.”
Still, the lack of a theatrical Star Wars film since 2019 and shelved projects—like a trilogy from Rian Johnson—left some questioning her long-term vision.
So why now? Reports suggest Kennedy, now 71, had contemplated leaving in 2024 but stayed an extra year, possibly to oversee key projects like The Mandalorian and Grogu, slated for 2026—a film she likely won’t see to release. Sources say she’s informed Disney and close associates of her plans, though Lucasfilm and Kennedy herself haven’t officially commented. Her exit aligns with the natural end of her contract, and speculation swirls about successors, with names like Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm’s Chief Creative Officer, topping the list.
For Disney, Kennedy’s departure is a pivot point. Star Wars remains a crown jewel, but its cinematic future is murky, with fans hungry for a return to theaters that doesn’t compromise the saga’s roots. Her legacy is a mixed bag: billions in revenue, a revitalized small-screen presence, and a franchise more diverse than ever—yet scarred by division and unrealized potential.
Will Disney double down on her inclusive ethos or swing back to appease traditionalists? Can Star Wars reclaim its uncontested cinematic throne?
Article generated from legacy media reports.
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