The news is official, a massive shift in the Force has occurred at Lucasfilm. After 14 years at the helm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as President. For many of us who live and breathe Star Wars, this feels like more than just a corporate memo. It almost feels like the start of a brand-new chapter for a galaxy that’s been searching for its identity. With this we see the ushering in of a new era led by the fan-favourite duo of Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan
Say what you will about the sequel trilogy (and believe me, we’ve all said plenty), but Kennedy’s run was a marathon. She stepped into the impossible job of following George Lucas and turned a dormant franchise into a multi-billion-dollar streaming powerhouse. Make no mistake, Kennedy isn’t disappearing into the Sarlacc pit,she’s going back to what she does best, being a master producer. By stepping away from the “big chair” to focus on individual projects like Shawn Levy’s upcoming film. Kennedy is getting out of the boardroom and back onto the film set. It feels like a graceful way to let a legendary producer do her thing without the weight of an entire studio’s politics on her shoulders.
Whilst Kennedy is on her way out, you have to admit that this is an exciting shift. Disney has finally realised that running a galaxy is a two-person job.If you’ve watched The Clone Wars or The Mandalorian, you know Dave. He’s the guy in the black cowboy hat who was essentially George Lucas’s padawan. Having Filoni as Chief Creative Officer is a massive win for those of us who care about the “soul” of the story. He gets the Force, he gets the lore and most importantly, he loves these characters as much as we do. For the first time in a long time, it feels like the creative “map” is in the hands of someone who actually knows where we’re going.
While Filoni dreams up the stories, Lynwen Brennan is the one who makes them possible. She’s been with Lucasfilm for over 25 years and comes from the VFX world of ILM. She is the steady hand that understands the tech and the business. Having her as Co-President means the studio stays grounded and professional while Filoni gets to be the visionary.
For the last few years, Star Wars has felt a bit like it was treading water. There have been lots of announcements, a few delays and plenty of internet arguments. This leadership change feels like a deep inhale of fresh air. It’s a balance of heritage and future. We have Filoni protecting the heart of the stories we grew up with, and Brennan ensuring the studio is built to last another 50 years.
On the horizon is The Mandalorian and Grogu (The big return to theatres) slated for May 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter (The Ryan Gosling project that has everyone talking) in May 2027 and More Ahsoka, more animation, and hopefully, a more cohesive vision for the galaxy that is set for the future.
Geek Verdict
This isn’t a “changing of the guard” as much as it is a homecoming. By putting a storyteller like Filoni at the helm, Disney is signalling that they’ve heard us. They’re prioritising the “Force” of the narrative over the “Empire” of the business. It’s a good day to be a fan. The Force feels a little more in balance than it did yesterday.
