UPDATE: 2025-08-08 12:09 EST BY THOMAS BACON
Kathleen Kennedy issues full response to reports of her retirement
Kathleen Kennedy has spoken out about reports of her departure, insisting she is not retiring - but is working on succession planning. Check out our full coverage ofKennedy’s statement on her “retirement.”
Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from Lucasfilm andStar Warswas reportedly complicated by an earlier shake-up at the studio. Lucasfilm presidentKathleen Kennedy is reportedly stepping downby the end of the year, and the search is on for her replacement.Kennedy leaves a complicated legacy, with both success and failures behind her. According to reports, she originally planned to leave last year - even preparing an exit interview - but stayed on a little longer.
THRreport that matters were complicated by the departure of Rayne Roberts, Lucasfilm’s vice president of film development until she moved on to Searchlight Pictures this year. Roberts joined Lucasfilm back in 2012, andTHRnoteshe was being groomed as Kennedy’s likely replacement. Presumably Roberts' decision not to go for the role contributed to Kennedy’s decision to stay on a little longer.
Who Will Be Kathleen Kennedy’s Replacement?
This Is Going To Be A Tough Job
Naturally, there’s now intense discussion over who could beKathleen Kennedy’s replacement.The most popular prediction is that this will be Dave Filoni, George Lucas' protégé, whether working independently or as a partner with either Jon Favreau or Carrie Beck. There are even some claims this has already been decided, and that a formal announcement will be made at Star Wars Celebration this year.
We don’t know the truth of those reports. What we can say for certain, though, is that whoever takes over will face a difficult challenge. Kennedy may have been controversial, but she had some big shoes to fill, taking over from George Lucas himself. She’s shepherdedStar Warsthrough a complex evolution, pushing transmedia to a whole new level. Next year already felt like something of a relaunch forStar Wars, withThe Mandalorian and Grogubringing the franchise back to the big screen at last.
Our Take On Kathleen Kennedy’s Departure
A Mixed Legacy
Kennedy has been a polarizing figure, buther successor is unlikely to have an easy ride. Even George Lucas himself felt the fandom’s ire on occasion, after all, and every decision made at Lucasfilm will come under relentless scrutiny. It’s easy to see why Rayne Roberts would be uncomfortable with taking over, assumingTHR’s report is accurate.
One thing seems likely, though; even if Roberts' departure did complicate Kennedy’s own, I wouldn’t be surprised if the successor has already been chosen. This year’s Star Wars Celebration feels like an appropriate reset point, an opportunity to hype viewers about the future. That seems even more likely now, meaning the future ofStar Warsshould be a lot more concrete soon.
