Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy at stage of Star Wars event. She is assumed to retire at end of 2025.
For years, speculation has surrounded the ‘Star Wars’ chief Kathleen Kennedy’s future at Lucasfilm. Recent reports suggest the longtime president may retire before the end of 2025. However, a source familiar with the situation denies any such plans, stating that “there’s nothing there right now.” If Kennedy does decide to step down, an official announcement will be made when actual decisions are finalized.
Neither Lucasfilm nor Disney has responded to requests for comment, leaving the rumors unconfirmed.
Kennedy’s Legacy at Lucasfilm
Kathleen Kennedy has been a key figure at Lucasfilm since 2012. She joined as co-chair alongside George Lucas and later took over as president following Disney’s $4 billion acquisition of the company. Under her leadership, the “Star Wars” franchise saw a resurgence, starting with the highly successful sequel trilogy.
Despite box office success, the sequels had declining revenues. “The Force Awakens” (2015) earned over $936 million domestically, but “The Last Jedi” (2018) dropped to $620 million, and “The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) further declined to $515 million. Still, these films performed better than the prequel trilogy at the U.S. box office.
Box Office Highs and Lows
Between 2015 and 2019, Lucasfilm released a new “Star Wars” film every year. Some, like “Rogue One” (2016), which grossed $532 million domestically, were well-received. Others, like “Solo” (2018), flopped, earning only $213 million while carrying a budget of at least $250 million.
The underperformance of “Solo” marked a turning point for Lucasfilm’s theatrical strategy.
Shifting Focus to Streaming
As theatrical releases became less reliable, Lucasfilm leaned into streaming. The launch of Disney+ in 2019 coincided with “The Mandalorian,” which quickly became a fan favorite. Since then, the company has produced multiple live-action series, including “The Book of Boba Fett,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Ahsoka.”
Not every show has been a hit. “The Acolyte” was canceled after one season due to mixed reviews. However, anticipation is high for “Andor” Season 2, set to premiere on April 22, 2025.
The Future of Lucasfilm
Capitalizing on “The Mandalorian’s” success, Lucasfilm announced its first theatrical film since 2019: “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Directed by Jon Favreau, the film signals a return to the big screen.
While rumors about Kennedy’s departure continue to swirl, no official confirmation has been given. For now, Lucasfilm remains focused on expanding the “Star Wars” universe across both streaming and cinema.
