'Star Wars' Shakeup: After Months of Speculation Disney Announces Leadership Change
- - 'Star Wars' Shakeup: After Months of Speculation Disney Announces Leadership Change
Ben MundJanuary 15, 2026 at 7:02 PM
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Photo by Sunset Boulevard on Getty Images
There's been a disturbance in the force.
Lucasfilm is entering a new phase of leadership. Kathleen Kennedy is officially stepping down as president of the studio after 14 years, transitioning into a producing role as longtime Lucasfilm executives Dave Filoni (an avowed Star Wars fan) and Lynwen Brennan take over top leadership positions. The announcement, confirmed by Disney and Lucasfilm, follows months of industry speculation.
Kennedy was appointed by George Lucas in 2012 ahead of Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, placing her at the center of one of the most significant franchise transitions in modern Hollywood. During her tenure, Star Wars returned to theaters with the sequel trilogy, launched multiple standalone films, and expanded aggressively into television (some have said too aggressively) through Disney+, beginning with The Mandalorian in 2019.
Under the new structure, Filoni will serve as President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, overseeing storytelling and creative direction across film and television. Brennan has been named Co-President, focusing on the studio’s business operations. The arrangement mirrors leadership models used at other major studios, separating creative authority from operational oversight.
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Filoni, who began his Star Wars career working closely with George Lucas on The Clone Wars, has become one of the franchise’s most influential creative voices. His involvement in animated series, live-action projects like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, and his close association with franchise lore have made his elevation a notable moment for the studio. In a statement, Filoni credited both Lucas and Kennedy for shaping his approach to storytelling and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead.
Brennan, a veteran executive within Lucasfilm and Disney, emphasized continuity and collaboration in her remarks, describing the studio as a creative community with a distinct identity. Her appointment signals Disney’s intent to balance innovation with long-term franchise stability.
Kennedy’s leadership period was marked by both commercial success and persistent controversy. While the sequel trilogy generated significant box office revenue and introduced new characters to a global audience, it also drew criticism from some fans, alongside well-documented behind-the-scenes challenges, including high-profile director departures. Kennedy has previously addressed fan scrutiny and online toxicity, particularly toward women involved in the franchise.
Fans are not holding back their opinions. While there is a wide variety of comments, the overwhelming early sentiment seems to be summed up by one fan: 'the real question is whether or not the next head will decide to take things in a different direction.'
Though stepping away from executive leadership, Kennedy remains actively involved with Lucasfilm. She is producing The Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled for release this May, and Star Wars: Starfighter, currently in development. Her continued presence ensures a degree of continuity as the studio prepares for its first theatrical release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
As Lucasfilm moves forward, the leadership change represents a strategic recalibration. With Filoni guiding creative direction and Brennan overseeing operations, the studio is positioning itself for its next chapter in a galaxy far, far away.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
