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Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down at Lucasfilm as Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan Take Over

The reshuffle creates a creative–business co-lead structure intended to jump-start Lucasfilm’s feature slate after years of slow theatrical output.

Overview

  • Dave Filoni becomes president and chief creative officer, with Lynwen Brennan named co‑president overseeing business operations, and both will report to Disney Entertainment co‑chairman Alan Bergman.
  • Kennedy departs the presidency effective this week and returns to full‑time producing on The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026) and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (May 28, 2027).
  • The Mandalorian and Grogu is slated as the franchise’s first theatrical release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
  • Filoni, a George Lucas protégé, shaped Star Wars through The Clone Wars and later The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, while Brennan advanced from ILM leadership to head Lucasfilm’s business side.
  • Trade coverage indicates the settled succession may unblock development and accelerate new projects after a stretch of limited announcements.