Kathleen Kennedy Will Reportedly Step Down as Lucasfilm President Soon and The Studio Has a Replacement Plan
Talk around a leadership shift at Lucasfilm is heating up again, and this time the claims are coming from a major industry voice. A new report suggests that Kathleen Kennedy is preparing to step away from her role as president of Lucasfilm, with a replacement plan already in motion.
While nothing has been officially confirmed by the studio or its parent company Disney, the details are drawing serious attention across the industry.
According to a report from Puck News, Lucasfilm is expected to undergo a leadership restructuring that places Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan in expanded roles.
Industry reporter Matthew Belloni claims an announcement could arrive very soon, writing, “In the next week or two, Disney will finally confirm what we’ve all known for months: Kathleen Kennedy is indeed stepping down as Lucasfilm president.”
If the report proves accurate, Filoni would take the reins on the creative future of Star Wars across film, television, and other platforms. Brennan, who currently serves as Lucasfilm’s president and general manager, would continue handling the business side of the operation.
Belloni explained how the partnership would function, writing, “Filoni has never really been a traditional executive, so they’re giving him a partner in Lynwen Brennan, currently president and general manager of Lucasfilm Business, but he’ll be the decider on the creative direction of the franchise in film, television, and any other platforms in the galaxy.”
It pretty much how the Co-CEO set up is at DC Studios with James Gunn and Peter Safran. Lucasfilm has yet to issue a statement addressing the report, and Kennedy has not commented publicly on the claims.
Speculation surrounding Kennedy’s exit has been circulating since early 2025. She has led Lucasfilm since 2012, taking over shortly after Disney acquired the company.
During her tenure, she guided multiple theatrical Star Wars releases and helped push the franchise into a major streaming presence. Earlier this year, Belloni reported, “Kathleen Kennedy has informed Disney, as well as friends and associates, that she will exit as Lucasfilm president by the end of the year.”
That report was followed by a February 2025 interview with Deadline, where Kennedy pushed back on retirement rumors, stating, “I am not retiring.” She added that she has been actively working with Disney leadership on a long-term succession plan.
Whether this latest report marks the final chapter of Kennedy’s run or just another step in an ongoing transition, it’s clear that Lucasfilm is preparing for a new era.
If Filoni does step into the role as the franchise’s primary creative decision-maker, it could bring a significant shift in how Star Wars stories are developed moving forward. For now, fans and the industry are watching closely to see when, or if, Disney makes it official.
