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Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down as Lucasfilm Names Dave Filoni President and Lynwen Brennan Co‑President

The move formalizes a creative–business split intended to steady Lucasfilm’s output.

Overview

  • Disney said the transition is effective this week, with Filoni as president and chief creative officer and Brennan as co‑president overseeing business, both reporting to Disney Entertainment co‑chair Alan Bergman.
  • Filoni, a George Lucas protégé who helped shape The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, will steer the studio’s creative direction.
  • Brennan, a veteran of Industrial Light & Magic and Lucasfilm management, will run operations across units such as ILM, Skywalker Sound and franchise strategy.
  • Kennedy remains a producer on two dated features: The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, 2026, and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter on May 28, 2027, marking the franchise’s theatrical return after 2019.
  • Industry observers say the new structure could accelerate development after a slowdown, though several high‑profile projects remain on hold or uncertain.