Kathleen Kennedy’s exit interview tour isn’t just about movies, shows, and leadership structure. It’s also about something Star Wars has wrestled with for years — and too often refuses to talk about directly: the harassment and sexism aimed at women in the franchise, both on-screen and behind the camera. In her new Deadline interview, Kennedy speaks candidly about what female Star Wars actors and filmmakers face, and why she doesn’t sugarcoat it when new women enter the franchise. Why this matters now Lucasfilm is in the middle of a major transition — Kennedy stepping down, a new leadership structure forming, and Star Wars preparing for its next big era. But as that next era arrives, one thing hasn’t changed: women who become visible in Star Wars projects are still disproportionately targeted online. Kennedy putting that reality into words matters, because it’s not a fan theory or a vague PR statement….
Lucasfilm
Kathleen Kennedy Names the Lowest Point of Her Lucasfilm Era — and It’s About Fan Expectations
Kathleen Kennedy has said a lot over the years about Star Wars, leadership, pressure, and the sheer chaos of steering one of pop culture’s most emotionally-owned franchises. But in her latest Deadline interview — released as her Lucasfilm exit becomes official — she finally puts words to what she considers the low point of her time running the studio. And it’s not a box office number. Not a cancelled movie. Not a particular show. It’s the impossible math of trying to satisfy everyone. Why this matters now Kennedy stepping away from Lucasfilm isn’t just a management shuffle — it’s the end of a defining era for modern Star Wars. So every line from her exit interview matters, because this is the version of the story that will stick: what she felt went right, what went wrong, and what she believes the franchise actually struggled with. And her answer here touches…
From George Lucas’ Apprentice to Lucasfilm President: Dave Filoni’s Unlikely Rise
Dave Filoni didn’t just climb the Lucasfilm ladder. He basically became the ladder. With Filoni officially moving into the Co-President role at Lucasfilm in 2026, Star Wars is now being steered creatively by someone who started at the company in the most Star Wars way imaginable: as George Lucas’ apprentice. Not figuratively. Literally. And when you line up his career milestones, it’s hard not to see the shape of a story Lucas himself would’ve approved of. Why this matters now For years, Filoni has been treated by fans as the “keeper of the lore.” But this new role turns that unofficial reputation into an official mandate. Star Wars isn’t just being guided by a committee, or by shifting creative teams. Lucasfilm is putting its creative leadership into the hands of someone whose entire professional identity has been built inside the galaxy far, far away. And Filoni’s rise didn’t happen through…
Kathleen Kennedy Releases Statement on Leaving Lucasfilm: “A True Privilege”
Lucasfilm’s leadership transition just became a lot more personal. After Disney CEO Bob Iger offered an official corporate tribute, Kathleen Kennedy has now released her own statement regarding her exit from Lucasfilm — and it reads like exactly what it is: a goodbye letter to a studio she helped define for more than a decade. It’s reflective, grateful, and quietly forward-looking. Why this matters now Kennedy stepping away isn’t just a behind-the-scenes reshuffle. It’s the closing of a chapter that shaped modern Star Wars — from the sequel trilogy to Disney+ to Lucasfilm’s biggest recent creative pivot: television. That’s why her own words matter. This isn’t press speculation or a quote filtered through Disney PR. It’s Kennedy directly framing her legacy — and setting the tone for what she intends to do next. What Kathleen Kennedy said Kennedy confirmed the personal weight behind the moment by pointing straight back to…
Bob Iger Breaks Silence on Kathleen Kennedy Leaving Lucasfilm: “Deeply Grateful”
If you’re looking for the official Disney tone on Kathleen Kennedy’s exit from Lucasfilm, it’s here — and it’s exactly the kind of statement that carries more meaning than it seems at first glance. Disney CEO Bob Iger has now commented publicly on Kennedy’s departure, offering a glowing, carefully-worded tribute that positions her tenure as both historic and foundational to Lucasfilm’s modern era. Why this matters now Leadership changes at Lucasfilm always trigger speculation — not just about what happened behind closed doors, but about where Star Wars goes next. That’s why Iger stepping in matters. When Disney’s CEO addresses this kind of transition directly, it signals that Kennedy’s departure isn’t being framed internally as damage control or controversy. It’s being framed as a respected, planned shift — and Disney wants the public narrative to match that. What Bob Iger said In his statement, Iger emphasized two key points: Here’s…
Kathleen Kennedy Retires as Lucasfilm President This Week — Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan Take Over
This is the biggest Lucasfilm leadership shift since Disney bought the company in 2012 — and it’s not a rumor anymore. Kathleen Kennedy is officially stepping down as President of Lucasfilm this week, ending nearly 14 years as the studio’s top executive. And the replacement structure is just as headline-worthy: Lucasfilm is splitting the role into creative leadership and business leadership, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan stepping into those responsibilities. Why this matters now Star Wars is heading into its next major cycle. There’s a new generation of films on the way, Disney+ remains a core pillar of the franchise, and the brand is actively trying to stabilize its long-term direction after years of uneven theatrical momentum. So this isn’t just “a leadership change.” It’s Disney and Lucasfilm saying: Star Wars is entering a new era — and they want a clearer chain of command before the next wave…
Lucasfilm Games Relaunched 5 Years Ago Today — and It Quietly Changed Star Wars Gaming Forever
Five years ago today, Lucasfilm did something that didn’t look dramatic at the time… but ended up reshaping the entire Star Wars gaming landscape. They relaunched Lucasfilm Games as their dedicated licensing brand — a modern banner for Star Wars games (and other Lucasfilm properties) moving forward. And honestly? In hindsight, it was one of the smartest moves the company has made in the post-Disney era. Not because it guaranteed instant masterpieces — but because it signaled something fans had been begging for: more variety, more studios, and more freedom. Why this matters right now Star Wars games used to feel like they were on one highway. Same publisher. Same pipeline. Same release rhythm. Since Lucasfilm Games returned, Star Wars gaming has felt much more like a living ecosystem — with multiple teams, multiple genres, and multiple bets happening at once. Even when not every project hits, the direction has…
Dave Filoni and Lywen Brennan will replace Kathleen Kennedy as the new Co-Presidents of Lucasfilm.
A significant leadership change is coming to Lucasfilm. According to Puck News, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan will take over as co-presidents of Lucasfilm, replacing Kathleen Kennedy. Under the reported new structure, Filoni will lead all creative development across the studio’s projects, while Brennan will oversee executive and operational responsibilities. The move formalizes a division of duties that, in many ways, has already been taking shape behind the scenes. What’s changing at Lucasfilm Filoni has long been the public-facing creative voice of modern Star Wars. Rising from animation into live-action, he has become closely associated with the franchise’s storytelling direction, particularly on Disney+ series that connect animation-era characters with the post–Original Trilogy timeline. Brennan, by contrast, has been deeply involved in the production and business side of Lucasfilm. Her background centers on managing large-scale productions, budgets, and logistics—work that is less visible to audiences but critical to keeping a studio…
December 21 Changed Star Wars Forever — Not October 30
This is one of those Star Wars facts that almost everyone gets wrong — including major news outlets. Disney did not officially buy Lucasfilm on October 30, 2012. That was the announcement day.The deal itself came later. And the distinction matters more than people think. Why this matters now “On this day” anniversaries tend to flatten history into a single headline. Over time, that headline becomes accepted truth, even when it skips important details. The Disney–Lucasfilm deal is a perfect example. October 30 is remembered as the moment Star Wars changed hands — but legally and financially, that wasn’t the case. What actually happened in 2012 On October 30, 2012, Disney announced its intention to acquire Lucasfilm in a deal valued at roughly $4.05 billion. The news dominated entertainment coverage and instantly reshaped expectations for the future of Star Wars. But announcing a deal isn’t the same as completing one….
Maul – Shadow Lord Gets an Official Plot Description — and It’s Exactly as Dark as It Sounds
Darth Maul has never really fit into neat boxes. Sith apprentice, crime lord, survivor, symbol of unfinished business. Now, Star Wars is finally putting a clear frame around his next chapter — and it lands in one of the franchise’s most volatile eras. An official plot description for Maul – Shadow Lord has been revealed, and it confirms a story rooted firmly in chaos, power struggles, and the moral vacuum left behind after the fall of the Republic. What’s been revealed The new official description reads: “Maul – Shadow Lord explores Maul’s quest for power in the gritty and merciless underworld following the aftermath of The Clone Wars and Order 66.” That’s it. No character list. No timeline specifics beyond the obvious. And that restraint matters. This isn’t about spectacle or legacy cameos. It’s about positioning Maul exactly where he thrives: in the shadows, fighting for relevance in a galaxy…
What Lucasfilm’s Rogue One Ruling Means for the Future of Games and Digital Characters
The UK court’s recent decision to dismiss the lawsuit over Peter Cushing’s digital likeness in Rogue One isn’t just a footnote in Star Wars legal lore. It’s a marker on a crossroads where storytelling, technology, and entertainment law intersect — and one that could ripple into how video games are made for years to come. Let’s unpack what this could mean for the future of gaming, virtual reality, AI-driven narratives, and the haunting possibility of seeing deceased performers “come to life” in interactive experiences. Cinema and Games Are Crossing Paths More Than Ever Video games have long borrowed from film — storytelling techniques, motion capture, even face scans of actors. But we’re now entering a phase where the boundaries are blurring in the opposite direction. Studios are crafting immersive experiences that feel cinematic. Meanwhile, games are increasingly treating characters as performances, not just polygons. With Star Wars pioneering a legal…
Lucasfilm Wins Key Court Ruling Over Peter Cushing’s Likeness in Rogue One
Nearly a decade after Rogue One reignited debates about digital resurrection in Hollywood, a UK court has delivered a decisive ruling that still echoes across Star Wars — and the wider film industry. Lucasfilm has successfully had a legal challenge dismissed over its use of Peter Cushing’s likeness as Grand Moff Tarkin. The decision doesn’t just close a long-running dispute. It clarifies where the legal ground currently stands as studios navigate the ethics and legality of bringing legacy characters back to the screen. What happened A UK Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of Lucasfilm, striking out a lawsuit brought by Tyburn Film Productions over the digital recreation of Peter Cushing in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Tyburn claimed that a 1993 agreement with Cushing — tied to an unrelated, unrealized project — gave it rights connected to the visual effects use of his likeness. On that basis,…
Diego Luna Earns Golden Globe Nomination for Andor — But the Series Itself Gets Snubbed
The Rebellion is celebrating… and side-eyeing at the same time. Diego Luna has officially been nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the Golden Globe Awards for his performance as Cassian Andor — a well-deserved recognition for one of the most nuanced characters in modern Star Wars storytelling. But here’s the twist:ANDOR — one of the most critically acclaimed shows on television — wasn’t nominated for Best Drama Series. Yes. Really.Welcome to awards season, where logic goes to die faster than a stormtrooper’s aim. Diego Luna’s Nomination: Absolutely Earned Let’s start with the good news. Diego Luna’s performance in Andor Season 2 has been praised by fans, critics, and anyone with functioning emotional range. Luna brings a rare humanity to Cassian — a rebel who isn’t chosen by destiny, but pushed into the fight by oppression, circumstance, and sheer survival. He plays Cassian with: It’s the kind of…
A Newly Restored Star Wars Is Returning to Theaters in 2027 — Just in Time for the 50th Anniversary
It finally happened.After decades of debates, edits, re-edits, and “Han shot first” arguments echoing across the galaxy, Lucasfilm has confirmed that a newly restored version of the original Star Wars (1977) will hit theaters February 19, 2027 to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary. Yes, you read that correctly: Star Wars — the one that started it all — is coming back to the big screen. And not just dusted off, but restored, polished, and prepared for a theatrical return worthy of a galactic milestone. This is not a drill. This is not another rumor. This is happening. Why This Re-Release Is a Big Deal Star Wars fans have been asking for years — decades — for a modern theatrical re-release of the original film. The announcement confirms what many hoped for but few expected: Lucasfilm is opening the vault. A restored version means: For many younger fans who discovered the…
Lucasfilm Tells Shawn Levy: “Do Something New” for His Star Wars Movie
It looks like Lucasfilm is finally ready to chart a new course for Star Wars films — and director Shawn Levy just gave us the clearest confirmation yet. In a new interview with KCRW’s The Business, the Starfighter director revealed that Lucasfilm has specifically encouraged him not to use existing Star Wars characters in his upcoming movie. According to Levy, every time he’s floated the idea of borrowing a familiar face from the films, he gets the same answer: “Every time I’ve asked, ‘Should I use this character that was maybe in that movie?’ Every time it’s, ‘You know what? People have seen that. Do something new.’” Source That’s a surprising — and frankly refreshing — creative directive. For years, new Star Wars projects have often leaned heavily on legacy characters, cameos, and nostalgia-driven storytelling. Whether it’s Luke Skywalker showing up in The Mandalorian or familiar Clone Wars characters weaving…
Star Wars SDCC 2025: What Went Down at the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel
The Force was definitely strong at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, especially inside the Lucasfilm Publishing panel—where future canon and legends collided in the form of new novels, comics, art books, and surprises that had Star Wars junkies buzzing like malfunctioning mouse droids. From dark side drama to High Republic hijinks, here’s everything worth knowing—without having to elbow through the SDCC crowds. The High Republic Marches On Lucasfilm Publishing has zero plans of slowing the High Republic freight train. The panel confirmed that Phase III will expand deeper into the Jedi Order’s golden age—and its unraveling. Expect more Nihil chaos, political intrigue, and lightsaber diplomacy in upcoming titles like: These books are connecting more closely to the Star Wars movies and video games canon than ever before—bridging gaps that may or may not involve the acolytes of the Sith. Legends Reforged: Inquisitors, Bounty Hunters, and… Thrawn? One of the more eyebrow-raising…
Kathleen Kennedy Is Plotting a New Star Wars Strategy — And It Might Just Work
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has never been afraid to stir the pot in the galaxy far, far away. Her latest comment? A tease that’s caught the hyperspace lane of every Star Wars watcher: more standalone films like the upcoming Starfighter could be on the way. So yes, while the Skywalker saga may be retired (again), and Disney+ is drowning in Jedi side quests and bounty hunter brooding, it looks like Lucasfilm is preparing to take more creative risks on the big screen — and it might actually be the most strategic move they’ve made since reviving Darth Maul’s legs. What Did Kathleen Kennedy Say? In a recent interview, Kennedy praised the creative potential of Starfighter — a film still shrouded in mystery, but reportedly more character-focused, intimate, and unburdened by galactic prophecy. “It’s not just about trilogies anymore,” she said. “Standalone movies give us freedom to tell stories that don’t…