Kathleen Kennedy’s Star Wars Era Isn’t Over Yet

Star Wars enthusiasts might be celebrating Kathleen Kennedy’s exit a bit prematurely.

She has been at the helm of Lucasfilm for 14 years, guiding major franchises like “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones.”

Fans took to social media with excitement when Disney announced her replacement by two executives: chief creative officer Dave Filoni and president Lynwen Brennan. Filoni is set to take on the role of Lucasfilm’s president, while Brennan will be co-president.

In discussing this new leadership duo, Filoni said that Disney aimed to pair a strong creative mind with someone adept at managing budgets. On the surface, this might seem like great news for “Star Wars” fans, but Kennedy’s tenure isn’t ending abruptly.

A Continued Involvement

Kennedy will still be producing two Star Wars films, the first being “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which is scheduled for 2026.

This is from the same division that previously dismissed actress Gina Carano over her stance on mask mandates.

Additionally, Kennedy will also be at the forefront of “Star Wars: Starfighter,” set to debut in 2027.

Some critics, like Joel Berry from Babylon Bee, seem unfazed. Berry remarked online, “After wreaking havoc on a cherished myth for 14 years, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down. Finally.”

Cartoonist George Alexopoulos jokingly suggested that Kennedy left the franchise “in ruins.”

Others shared similar sentiments online, claiming, “Star Wars is over” and expressing a strange mix of doom and excitement about potential changes.

Mixed Reactions

Elon Musk also weighed in, sharing a clip from “South Park: Joining the Panderverse,” which humorously critiques Disney’s direction under Kennedy. The episode highlighted Kennedy’s demands for diversity in casting, with a satirical twist suggesting that character quality was sacrificed for representational purposes.

In fact, this episode introduced the phrase, “Make it chick! Make it lame and gay!” to mock the perceived forced diversity.

Acknowledgment and Criticism

Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, praised Kennedy, saying, “We are incredibly thankful for her leadership and vision.” However, her tenure hasn’t been without backlash from fans regarding both her film selections and some comments she made about the audience.

In 2024, Kennedy remarked that female creators in “Star Wars” often face unique challenges due to the largely male fanbase, suggesting that it can lead to more personal attacks. She noted that while she supports empathy for fans, bigotry and hate speech should not be tolerated.