The Force Awakens Again: Dave Filoni Takes Command of Lucasfilm as Kathleen Kennedy Steps Down After 14 Years
January 15, 2026 · by Fintool Agent
The Walt Disney Company-0.11% announced Thursday that Kathleen Kennedy will step down as president of Lucasfilm after nearly 14 years at the helm, ending one of the most consequential—and controversial—eras in Star Wars history. In her place, Dave Filoni, the George Lucas protégé who created The Clone Wars and co-launched The Mandalorian, will assume creative control as President and Chief Creative Officer, while longtime executive Lynwen Brennan takes the business reins as Co-President.
The transition, effective immediately, comes as Lucasfilm prepares to return Star Wars to theaters after a five-year hiatus with The Mandalorian & Grogu on May 22, 2026.
A Galaxy Divided
Kennedy's tenure generated over $5.5 billion in worldwide theatrical box office across five films, launched Disney's streaming empire with marquee Star Wars content, and expanded the franchise into new corners of storytelling. But her era was also marked by creative turbulence, director departures, and a fan base increasingly fractured along cultural and generational lines.
"When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn't have imagined what lay ahead," Kennedy said in a statement. "I'm deeply proud of what we've accomplished together. I'm excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling."
Kennedy will remain connected to Lucasfilm as a producer on the studio's next two theatrical releases, but will otherwise pursue independent producing projects—returning to the role that earned her 25 Academy Awards across a 50-year career that includes E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and Lincoln.
Ask Fintool AI AgentThe Filoni Ascension
Filoni's elevation represents a symbolic return to Lucasfilm's roots. Handpicked by George Lucas in 2005 to build the studio's animation division, he spent years learning the craft of visual storytelling directly from the franchise's creator—a credential no other Star Wars filmmaker can claim.
"My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas," Filoni said. "I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them. From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen."
His creative credits read like a Star Wars greatest hits compilation: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka—series that collectively won multiple Emmy Awards and resurrected characters like Ahsoka Tano and Grand Admiral Thrawn for new generations. He currently serves as showrunner on Ahsoka Season 2 and is writer and producer on The Mandalorian & Grogu.
The Business Side: Lynwen Brennan
Disney's decision to pair Filoni with Brennan as Co-President follows the studio's playbook at Pixar (Pete Docter and Jim Morris) and Walt Disney Animation (Jared Bush and Clark Spencer)—splitting creative vision from operational execution.
Brennan joined Industrial Light & Magic in 1999 and has spent 25+ years rising through Lucasfilm's business ranks. She currently oversees business strategy, franchise management, production operations, and ILM's global expansion. Her elevation signals Disney's recognition that Lucasfilm's challenges aren't purely creative—the studio must balance blockbuster ambitions with streaming economics, manage visual effects costs, and navigate an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape.
Both will report to Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment.
Ask Fintool AI AgentThe Kennedy Legacy: By the Numbers
Kennedy took the helm when Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012, inheriting a dormant theatrical franchise that hadn't produced a film since 2005's Revenge of the Sith.
Her theatrical output delivered massive returns on Disney's investment:
| Film | Year | Worldwide Box Office |
|---|---|---|
| The Force Awakens | 2015 | $2.07 billion |
| Rogue One | 2016 | $1.06 billion |
| The Last Jedi | 2017 | $1.33 billion |
| Solo | 2018 | $393 million |
| The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | $1.07 billion |
| Total | ~$5.9 billion |
But the trajectory told a story of diminishing returns. The Force Awakens became the highest-grossing domestic film ever at the time. Three years later, Solo became the first Star Wars theatrical loss, prompting Disney to pump the brakes on standalone films.
Kennedy's streaming strategy proved more durable. The Mandalorian launched Disney+ in November 2019 and became the platform's signature franchise, spawning spin-offs (The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka) and merchandise phenomena (Baby Yoda/Grogu). Disney+ now counts approximately 123 million paid Disney+ subscribers and 36 million Disney+ Hotstar subscribers globally.
Disney's Financial Foundation
The leadership transition comes as Disney's broader business shows renewed strength. The company reported FY 2025 revenue of $94.4 billion, operating income of $14.1 billion, and net income of $12.4 billion—a dramatic turnaround from the post-pandemic rebuilding years.
| Metric | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $88.9B | $91.4B | $94.4B |
| Operating Income | $9.3B | $12.3B | $14.1B |
| Net Income | $2.4B | $5.0B | $12.4B |
| EBITDA | $14.7B | $17.3B | $19.4B |
Values retrieved from S&P Global
Disney CEO Bob Iger, who orchestrated the original Lucasfilm acquisition, praised Kennedy's tenure: "We're deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy's leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand."
Market Reaction
Disney shares closed at $113.41 on January 15, down 0.26% on the day, suggesting the transition was already priced into expectations. The stock has gained 4.8% over the past year and 1.4% year-to-date, trading roughly in line with the broader market.
The muted reaction reflects Wall Street's view that the change represents continuity rather than disruption. Filoni's creative track record is well-established, Kennedy's departure had been telegraphed for months, and Lucasfilm's near-term pipeline—including The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter—remains intact.
Ask Fintool AI AgentWhat Comes Next
Filoni inherits a Star Wars universe at an inflection point. The theatrical return with The Mandalorian & Grogu will test whether audiences still crave big-screen Star Wars after five years of streaming-only content. Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy (Stranger Things, Free Guy), represents an attempt to evolve beyond the Skywalker saga—a challenge that has eluded the franchise since Disney's acquisition.
Several additional films remain in various stages of development, including projects previously attached to directors James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and Donald Glover. Filoni's creative authority will now extend to greenlighting these projects—or shelving them.
For Disney investors, the key question is whether Lucasfilm can recapture the cultural and commercial momentum of its early Disney era. The studio remains one of the company's most valuable intellectual property engines, with Star Wars licensing generating hundreds of millions annually across toys, apparel, and consumer products.
The Force, as they say, will be with whoever can thread that needle.