Kathleen Kennedy is set to conclude her nearly 14-year tenure at Lucasfilm, with a new dual leadership structure taking the helm of the studio responsible for iconic franchises like “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones.” Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and President and General Manager Lynwen Brennan will jointly lead Lucasfilm as co-presidents, a move officially announced by The Walt Disney Company. Filoni will assume the title of President and Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm, while Brennan will serve as co-president, signaling a strategic pairing of creative vision with robust business acumen.

Filoni’s elevation has been widely anticipated, reflecting his deep involvement and impact within the “Star Wars” universe. He was personally chosen by George Lucas in 2005 to establish Lucasfilm’s animation studio, where he went on to create beloved series such as “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.” More recently, Filoni has been instrumental in the live-action streaming era, serving as executive producer, episodic director, and writer for acclaimed shows like “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka,” and as a producer and writer for the upcoming film “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” His work is credited with ushering in a new era of “Star Wars” storytelling, particularly since the launch of Disney+ in 2019.

Lynwen Brennan’s promotion to co-president comes as somewhat of a surprise, highlighting Disney’s intent to balance creative leadership with financial and operational expertise. Brennan joined Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in 1999, rising to its presidency in 2009. She later became Lucasfilm’s president and general manager, a role in which she oversaw the company’s business strategy, franchise and production operations, and guided ILM’s significant expansion. Her long history of managing large-scale operations and strategic growth makes her a crucial partner in Lucasfilm’s new leadership.

Kathleen Kennedy, a widely respected producer with a long history of collaborating with Steven Spielberg, will maintain a relationship with Lucasfilm, transitioning to a producing role for the studio’s next two theatrical films: “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” set to open on May 22, 2026, and “Star Wars: Starfighter,” scheduled for 2027. She also intends to pursue other independent producing projects.

Kennedy’s 14 years at Lucasfilm have been marked by both significant successes and notable challenges. She successfully relaunched the “Star Wars” cinematic saga by selecting J.J. Abrams to direct 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which grossed over $2 billion globally. Subsequent sequels and the spinoff “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” also achieved box office success. Under her leadership, “Star Wars” expanded into the streaming landscape with hit shows like “The Mandalorian” and critically acclaimed series such as “Andor,” showcasing new avenues for storytelling.

However, her tenure also faced difficulties. 2018’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” a prequel exploring Han Solo’s early life, underperformed at the box office amidst a chaotic production that saw original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller replaced by Ron Howard. The 2023 sequel “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” also struggled financially. Kennedy faced consistent challenges in retaining filmmakers, with several announced “Star Wars” projects from directors like Patty Jenkins, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Taika Waititi ultimately being canceled or failing to materialize due to creative differences, leading to a seven-year gap in “Star Wars” theatrical releases. Additionally, some streaming projects, such as “The Acolyte,” were reportedly canceled after a single season.

Top executives at Disney shared their gratitude and vision for the future. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed deep appreciation for Kennedy’s leadership and stewardship of such an iconic studio. Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman, acknowledged Kennedy’s tremendous force in the industry and her success in bringing a new generation of fans to “Star Wars,” while expressing confidence in Filoni and Brennan to drive the studio forward. Kennedy herself reflected on the privilege of her tenure and expressed excitement for future collaborations. Filoni spoke of being shaped by the storytelling of Kennedy and George Lucas, and his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm. Brennan emphasized the inspiring community at Lucasfilm and her faith in Filoni’s creative vision.

Looking ahead, the future of “Star Wars” under the new leadership is already taking shape. Filoni and Jon Favreau, who have collaborated extensively on “Star Wars” shows, are bringing their work to the big screen with “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” This feature film, a continuation of the first three seasons of “The Mandalorian,” is directed by Jon Favreau with a script co-written by Favreau and Filoni. The cast includes Pedro Pascal returning as Din Djarin, with Sigourney Weaver joining as Colonel Ward and Jeremy Allen White lending his voice to Rotta the Hutt. Additionally, Filoni is confirmed to direct a “New Republic Star Wars movie,” which is slated to be the final chapter in the story arc initiated by “The Mandalorian,” often referred to as the “MandoVerse” or “FiloniVerse.” More information on this film is expected after “The Mandalorian and Grogu” premieres. Filoni is also actively involved in the second season of “Ahsoka,” which is anticipated to contribute to the conclusion of his overarching “Star Wars” saga.