{“title”:”Lucasfilm Shakeup: Filoni Takes Over Star Wars”,”body”:”At a Glance
– Kathleen Kennedy steps down after 13 years leading Lucasfilm
– Dave Filoni elevated to president and chief creative officer
– Lynwen Brennan named co-president of Lucasfilm businesses
– Why it matters: Change signals new creative direction for Star Wars franchise after mixed fan reception
The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday that Kathleen Kennedy is leaving her role as Lucasfilm president after more than 13 years, with Dave Filoni taking over creative leadership of the Star Wars universe.
## Leadership Transition
Kennedy, who George Lucas personally selected as his successor, has overseen Lucasfilm since Disney’s $4.05 billion acquisition in 2012. During her tenure, the company generated $5.6 billion at the box office and helped establish Disney+ as a major streaming platform.
“When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead,” Kennedy said in the announcement.
Filoni previously served as Lucasfilm’s chief commercial officer and will now serve as president and chief creative officer. He’ll work alongside Lynwen Brennan, who becomes co-president of Lucasfilm’s business operations. Both executives will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
## A Mixed Legacy
Kennedy’s time at Lucasfilm produced both massive commercial success and significant fan controversy. Her first Star Wars film, 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” directed by J.J. Abrams, grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
However, the subsequent trilogy entries proved divisive:
– “The Last Jedi” (2017) created bitter divisions within the fan community
– “The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) was widely criticized by both critics and fans
– The 2018 Han Solo film “Solo” saw its original directors fired mid-production
Beyond the main saga, Kennedy oversaw successful streaming series including “The Mandalorian” and “Andor,” which received critical acclaim and helped drive Disney+ subscriptions.
## Filoni’s Background
Filoni brings extensive Star Wars experience to his new role, having entered the franchise through the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” His recent credits include:
– Executive producer on “The Mandalorian”
– Creator of the Disney+ series “Ahsoka”
– Executive producer on “The Book of Boba Fett” and “Skeleton Crew”
His background primarily lies in television rather than feature films, representing a shift from Kennedy’s movie-focused approach.
## Looking Forward
The transition comes as Lucasfilm prepares to return Star Wars to movie theaters after a five-year hiatus. Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian & Grogu” is scheduled for release in May, ending the franchise’s big screen drought.
Several Kennedy-approved projects remain in development:
– Shawn Levy’s “Star Wars: Starfighter” starring Ryan Gosling (May 2027)
– Multiple other films in various stages of production
“From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling on-screen that we have ever seen,” Filoni said, acknowledging his predecessor’s contributions.
The leadership change represents Disney’s attempt to reinvigorate one of its most valuable properties after years of fan frustration and creative challenges under Kennedy’s watch.”,”meta_description”:”Disney announces major Lucasfilm leadership change as Kathleen Kennedy steps down after 13 years and Dave Filoni takes creative control of Star Wars franchise.”,”categories”:[“Breaking News”,”Corporate News”]}
