Report: Kathleen Kennedy to Step Down as Lucasfilm President at the End of the Year
After 13 years, the Star Wars producer could step down from her position
Is this a new start for the "Star Wars" universe? According to a report by the news portal Puck, Kathleen Kennedy will be stepping down from her position as Lucasfilm President at the end of the year.
This would be a major turning point in the history of the "Star Wars" franchise. The producer has been responsible for all Lucasfilm projects for almost 13 years. No one has shaped "Star Wars" in the Disney era more than Kathleen Kennedy.
According to Puck News, the president has informed Disney and her circle of confidants about her retirement at the end of 2025. The industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter, citing its own sources, also reports that Kennedy will retire. However, CNN says that no final decision has yet been made on the matter. There has not yet been an official statement from Disney or Lucasfilm.
Star Wars in the Kennedy era
With "Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens", the space saga was revived under her leadership, which was followed by numerous films and series over the last ten years. Kathleen Kennedy has long been criticized by some "Star Wars" fans. One point of criticism is the sheer quantity and lack of quality of the productions under her reign.
Can a new era for the space saga now be ushered in? The industry portal Variety is already speculating about successor candidates. One of the names circulating in the rumor mill is Jon Favreau. The "Iron Man" director is the showrunner of "The Mandalorian". However, we will have to wait and see what Disney and Lucasfilm have to say about Kathleen Kennedy.
The most popular films and series of the Disney era
Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 marked the beginning of a new era for the "Star Wars" franchise. Under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy the "Star Wars" world was further expanded. The Disney era brought both new films and a variety of series. But this new era was not without controversy and challenges. Here we take a look at the most important films and series that were created under Disney and Kathleen Kennedy in the "Star Wars" world.
The main films of the Disney era
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The first "Star Wars" film under Disney was also the seventh installment in the saga. It was directed by J.J. Abrams, who continued the universe with new characters, such as Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren, and old heroes, such as Han Solo and Leia Organa. "The Force Awakens" was intended to build a bridge between the classic films and a new generation of Star Wars fans. The film was a commercial success and brought a breath of fresh air to the franchise, but also had its critics who criticized the similarities to "A New Hope".
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Rian Johnson directed the eighth installment of the Skywalker saga. "The Last Jedi" is still polarizing today. Some fans appreciated the film's courage in breaking with the usual structure and subverting expectations. But others were disappointed with the choices the movie made, particularly in terms of Luke Skywalker's character development and the overall narrative. The debate over the film led to an even more intense discussion about the direction of the franchise under Disney.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
With J.J. Abrams back in the director's chair for the ninth installment of the Skywalker saga, an attempt was made to bring together the loose threads from the previous films. However, the film was poorly received by critics and fans alike. Hardly any film in the saga has been criticized as much as Episode 9, and with this part, the criticism of Kennedy from fans became louder.
Spin-offs and anthology films
In addition to the main films, several independent "Star Wars" films were also produced to further expand the universe.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
With "Rogue One", Gareth Edwards brought a film to cinemas that told the story of the rebellion that stole the plans for the Death Star. The movie was extremely popular with fans and critics alike, as it offered a grittier, more realistic take on the war within the 'Star Wars' universe. "Rogue One" showed that "Star Wars" could be more than just epic space battles.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
"Solo", directed by Ron Howard, depicted Han Solo's teenage years and his first adventures in space. The film struggled with production problems and was unable to achieve the same success as "Rogue One". Despite a solid performance from Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and some thrilling moments, the movie felt like an unnecessary extension of the saga to many. The disappointing box office result led Disney to refrain from making further spin-offs of this kind.
Series in the "Star Wars" universe
The Disney era not only brought new films, but also a large number of series that further expanded the Star Wars universe.
The Mandalorian (2019 - today)
Disney achieved great success in series format with "The Mandalorian". Jon Favreau's series, which was released on Disney+, is set after the fall of the Empire and follows a lone bounty hunter who takes care of the mysterious child who later became known as "Baby Yoda". The mixture of classic "Star Wars" feel and modern serial production, coupled with great effects, attracted millions of viewers and quickly gained a huge fan base. "The Mandalorian" not only established new characters, but also told the "Star Wars" universe in a fresh way.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)
A direct continuation of Boba Fett's story from "The Mandalorian", starring Temuera Morrison, "The Book of Boba Fett" offered another insight into the "Star Wars" universe. The series highlights Boba Fett's attempt to take control of Jabba the Hutt's criminal empire. However, the series received rather mixed reviews.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
The series "Obi-Wan Kenobi" with Ewan McGregor in his iconic role as the Jedi Master was eagerly awaited by fans. Set ten years after the events of "Revenge of the Sith", the series focuses on Obi-Wan's life in exile and his confrontations with Darth Vader.
Andor (2022)
"Andor" is a series that tells the story of Cassian Andor, one of the heroes from "Rogue One". This series brought a new tone and a deeper political dimension to the "Star Wars" universe. It was particularly praised for its serious approach and the more intense examination of the Rebellion and the political structures of the Empire. Many fans consider "Andor" to be the best series in the saga.
Ahsoka (2023)
The series "Ahsoka" follows former Jedi Ahsoka Tano and takes place after the events of "Star Wars Rebels". The series brought back many fans who see Ahsoka as one of the most beloved characters in the "Star Wars" world. Ahsoka is played by Rosario Dawson, and the series is another important building block for linking the stories from the films and animated series.
The Acolyte (2024)
In 2024, "The Acolyte" followed, a series that is largely detached from the rest of the space saga and set in a completely different era. The leading roles were played by "Squid Game" actor Lee Jung-jae and "Hunger Games" actress Amandla Stenberg, among others. However, "The Acolyte" was canceled after just one season.
Skeleton Crew
"Skeleton Crew" is the latest live-action production in the "Star Wars" universe. According to some fans, the series brought a breath of fresh air to the franchise and was praised for its new approach. However, not all fans were convinced by "Skeleton Crew".
