Alright Star Wars fans there's been a ton of buzz swirling around Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy . Rumors were flying that she might be stepping down maybe even retiring. Well hold your horses because we have got the inside scoop direct from Kennedy herself. Turns out things are not quite what they seemed.
Kathleen Kennedy Sets the Record Straight: "I Am Not Retiring" Lucasfilm Boss Denies Exit Rumors
Yep you heard it right Kathleen Kennedy herself said loud and clear "I am not retiring." In a recent interview she shut down all those reports saying she is leaving Lucasfilm . She stated "I will never retire from movies . I will die making movies." That is pretty definitive isn't it? So all that talk about her being pushed out or ready to quit? Apparently just rumors.
Kennedy explained that she has actually been working with Disney bigwigs Bob Iger and Alan Bergman on a succession plan for when she eventually DOES step down. But that time is not now. She is still very much in charge and has a whole slate of Star Wars projects in the works. Think the upcoming Mandalorian movie and that Shawn Levy Star Wars film everyone is excited about.
Succession in the Works? Dave Filoni's Name Surfaces as Potential Future Leader at Lucasfilm
While Kennedy is not going anywhere immediately the succession planning is real. And one name keeps popping up as a potential future leader: Dave Filoni. Filoni is a big deal in the Star Wars world. He is the mastermind behind beloved shows like Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars. He is currently Lucasfilm's chief creative officer and insiders say he is in a "strong position" to possibly take over the reins one day.
Kennedy herself could not confirm any names but hinted that they are looking internally for her successor. She said they have "an amazing bench of people" at Lucasfilm. An announcement about the future leadership is expected "months or a year down the road". So while things are orderly and planned the exact timing and person are still under wraps.
No Chaos Just Business as Usual: Kennedy Dismisses Talk of Lucasfilm Turmoil and Defends Her Vision
All those reports suggesting chaos and turmoil at Lucasfilm? Kennedy says that is simply not true. She stated "There has never been any chaos because we know exactly what the plan is." She explained that the succession planning has been ongoing for years and is a normal process for a big company like Disney. She feels these retirement rumors are "manufactured".
Kennedy also addressed the constant fan scrutiny and second-guessing that comes with running Star Wars. She acknowledged it is a huge challenge to manage such a massive and beloved franchise. Balancing new stories with the legacy George Lucas created is tricky. She defends her approach of trying different things experimenting with streaming and finding new entry points for different generations of fans. She points to the success of The Mandalorian as an example of reaching a new audience while still honoring Star Wars.
Star Wars Movie Slate: Mandalorian Film Shawn Levy Project and a "New Saga" on the Horizon
So what exactly IS Kathleen Kennedy working on right now? Plenty of Star Wars projects it turns out. Here is a rundown of some of the confirmed films in development:
- The Mandalorian Movie: Coming to theaters in 2026 this film will continue the story from The Mandalorian series. Jon Favreau is directing.
- Shawn Levy Star Wars Film: Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy is helming a standalone Star Wars story set after Episode 9. Details are still secret but Ryan Gosling is rumored to be involved.
- Simon Kinberg Trilogy: A brand new Star Wars saga is in development with writer Simon Kinberg. This will be a "next iteration" moving the story "into the future" with potentially new characters though some sequel saga characters might return. Scripts are in progress and Kennedy is excited about this "new saga".
- James Mangold Prequel: James Mangold director of the upcoming Bob Dylan movie is working on a Star Wars prequel script. This project is still in the script stage.
- Taika Waititi Star Wars Film: Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi is still involved in developing a Star Wars movie. Kennedy loves his vision and is waiting for a script but Waititi is very busy.
That is a lot of Star Wars coming our way. Kennedy emphasized that finding the right talent and allowing them time to create quality stories is a priority even if it means waiting. She wants filmmakers who are "passionate and really good" to step into Star Wars.
Kathleen Kennedy's Legacy: From Spielberg Collabs to Guiding Star Wars into a New Era
Love her or not you cannot deny Kathleen Kennedy's incredible career. Before Lucasfilm she was already a Hollywood powerhouse producing iconic films with Steven Spielberg and her husband Frank Marshall. Think Jurassic Park E.T. Indiana Jones Back to the Future Schindler's List - the list goes on and on. She has produced over 70 films with countless Oscar nominations and wins. She even received an honorary Oscar herself.
Taking over Lucasfilm was a massive challenge especially following George Lucas. She rebooted the movie franchise with The Force Awakens which became a box office juggernaut. She also oversaw the expansion of Star Wars into streaming with huge hits like The Mandalorian and Andor. While there have been bumps along the road and some divisive projects Kennedy has undeniably shaped the Star Wars universe for a new generation.
What's Next for Lucasfilm and Star Wars? More Movies More Shows and a Leadership Transition on the Horizon
So Kathleen Kennedy is staying put for now and has big plans for Star Wars. Expect more movies more Disney+ shows and a continued effort to expand the galaxy far far away. While the succession plan is in motion Kennedy's focus remains on creating quality Star Wars stories and finding the right talent to bring them to life. The future of Star Wars is vast and uncertain but with Kennedy still at the helm and a bench of passionate creatives behind her the force seems to be in capable hands for now. Keep an eye out for more news from Star Wars Celebration Tokyo in April - that might be where we get more clues about what is coming next!