Lucasfilm is heading into uncharted territory as one of its most pivotal transitions draws near.
With Kathleen Kennedy expected to step down soon, a new chapter is approaching not only for the studio but for the Star Wars franchise as a whole. The next leader of Lucasfilm won’t just inherit a legacy—they’ll be tasked with shaping its uncertain cinematic future.
Kennedy, chosen by George Lucas himself and installed as Lucasfilm president following Disney’s $4.05 billion acquisition in 2012, helped usher Star Wars into the Disney era. The Force Awakens in 2015 marked a triumphant return to theaters, with director J.J. Abrams steering the saga to over a billion dollars in box office revenue. Legacy characters Luke, Leia, and Han reunited onscreen alongside a new generation led by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Adam Driver.
But the sequel trilogy proved divisive. Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi (2017) and Abrams’ The Rise of Skywalker (2019) split fan opinion and called into question the direction of the saga’s future.
Since then, the studio has emphasized streaming over theatrical releases. Series like The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka have attracted viewership and critical attention, but the uneven response to projects such as The Acolyte—and the ongoing absence of new films since 2019—has drawn criticism.
Lucasfilm’s shifting slate has included several announced and then quietly shelved projects. Though Star Wars Celebration 2023 introduced three new films, the next on the slate is The Mandalorian and Grogu, now set for May 2026.
Other titles reportedly still in development include James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, Dave Filoni’s Mando-Verse crossover, and a new film centered around Rey, to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Another project conceived by Simon Kinberg has raised speculation that it could be Episodes X, XI, and XII.
In a notable reshuffling, Disney swapped out a 2026 Star Wars release to make room for Ice Age 6 under its 20th Century Studios banner. But some optimism returned with confirmation that Shawn Levy’s Star Wars feature is moving forward.
Set for May 28, 2027, Star Wars: Starfighter stars Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth in a standalone story occurring five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Meanwhile, reports indicate that The Mandalorian Season 4 will no longer happen as a series, with Din Djarin and Grogu now transitioning fully to film.
With the franchise in flux, Lucasfilm’s next leader will need to balance business, creativity, and fan expectations. As The Hollywood Reporter observed earlier this year, it’s a role that leans heavily on operational savvy.
“‘One reason Kathy stuck around for so long is because there is no credible alternative,’ said one person who has many interactions with Lucasfilm leadership,” THR noted. “Sources say former Lucasfilm executive Rayne Roberts, who was at the company for 12 years, was being groomed by Kennedy as a likely replacement. But just last week, Roberts was announced as Searchlight’s new senior VP of production.”
A longtime insider added: “What people don’t understand is that it’s not a creative job […] That’s about 10 percent. The rest of it is dealing with Disney, licensing, and fans.”
The list of successors is already taking shape. Dave Filoni, currently Chief Creative Officer and a longtime Lucas collaborator, remains a top candidate. His partnership with Jon Favreau on The Mandalorian has played a vital role in Star Wars’ streaming era, drawing in fans with characters and lore that expand the universe.
According to a recent THR report, both Filoni and producer Carrie Beck are poised to jointly take over Lucasfilm’s leadership. The anticipated transition coincides with broader succession plans within Disney, including Bob Iger’s eventual exit and the expected rise of Josh D’Amaro.
“The current thinking is a scenario where chief creative officer Dave Filoni and production head Carrie Beck–both Lucasfilm vets–take co-head roles,” The Hollywood Reporter explained. “Even as an arm of Disney, Lucasfilm remains, in many ways, a family business, and as a George Lucas protégé Filoni long has been considered a golden boy.”
Filoni’s work in animation—including The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and The Bad Batch—cemented his status as a cornerstone of Star Wars storytelling.
Others have also been floated. Favreau remains an influential creative force. Kevin Feige’s name still lingers despite his shelved Star Wars project, thanks to his blockbuster Marvel tenure. THR has also cited J.J. Abrams, Emma Watts, and Netflix executive Hannah Minghella as possible contenders.
Whomever Disney selects, they’ll be tasked with steering one of the most iconic franchises in entertainment history through a crucial period of transition and potential renewal.
How do you feel about these people being lined up to replace Kathleen Kennedy? Let us know in the comments down below!
