Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Shares Smart New Direction for STAR WARS Movies
While there have been reports of Kathleen Kennedy being replaced at Lucasfilm as some point, right now she is still in charge of all things Star Wars and she has a new plan for the future of the franchise.
Appearing at the BFI Film on Film Festival in London, Kennedy introduced a rare theatrical print of A New Hope and offered insight into the evolving strategy for the Star Wars film universe.
For fans tired of franchise fatigue and forced interconnectivity, her comments might feel like a breath of fresh Tatooine air. She shared:
“I really think that now we’re in a position where it’s broadened the possibility of stories and filmmakers we can bring in to tell stories that mean something to them – it doesn’t necessarily have to connect to every little thing that’s been done in Star Wars; it can actually be a standalone story that then builds into many many other stories.”
That’s a big shift. For a franchise known for its dense lore and rigid continuity, Kennedy is now embracing something more open-ended—stories with personal vision, not just legacy checklists.
After the lukewarm reception to Solo and the divisive Star Wars sequel trilogy, it’s a strategy that might finally let creators tell cool and interesting untethered stories.
The approach seems to be playing out with filmmaker Shawn Levy (Free Guy, Stranger Things) and his upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film, currently in development, and set to release in 2027. Levy shared:
“When Kathy Kennedy brought me on board to make a Star Wars movie, her central mandate to me was, ‘I want a Shawn Levy movie. I want a story and a tone that reflects you and your taste and what you bring to your movies — with a Star Wars story.’ So I have felt extremely empowered.”
That’s the kind of creative freedom fans often hope exists behind the scenes of making these movies, but we’ve all heard the horror stories of studio interference and mandates that need to be followed.
If Kennedy is serious about hiring filmmakers to make their movies rather than committee-driven products, it could lead to a much-needed new era for Star Wars in theaters.
To help maintain the spirit of Star Wars, Kennedy still insists on one non-negotiable… every filmmaker must study A New Hope. She calls it “the gold standard” for story and character.
“I would say this is the film everyone starts with when we start talking about story, [George Lucas’] intent, and what it is we’re trying to build off of.”
It’s been nearly six years since a Star Wars film hit theaters, and while Disney+ has kept the franchise alive, many fans have been wondering when and how the cinematic side of the galaxy would return. Now we have our answer, and it sounds more filmmaker-driven and story-first than ever before.
Next summer brings The Mandalorian & Grogu to theaters, with Starfighter following in 2027. I actually like this new strategy, and I hope that Lucasfilm can actually pull it off!
Via: Variety