Kathleen Kennedy Reveals Star Wars Future Upon Departure
Kathleen Kennedy has officially announced her departure as President of Lucasfilm, a role she has held for years. Her exit comes amid ongoing speculation about the future direction of the Star Wars franchise. Although stepping down, Kennedy will continue as a producer on upcoming projects such as “The Mandalorian” and “Star Wars: Starfighter.” She will also explore new opportunities as an independent producer.
Kennedy’s Successors and New Roles
In a significant leadership transition, Dave Filoni has been appointed as the new President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm. He will share responsibilities with Lynwen Brennan, who will serve as Co-President. This new leadership team is expected to guide the future of the Star Wars universe.
Status of Upcoming Star Wars Projects
- Projects by Rian Johnson, James Mangold, Simon Kinberg, and Taika Waititi were discussed in light of Kennedy’s departure.
- Kennedy indicated that Mangold and Beau Willimon’s script would remain on hold due to its unconventional nature.
- Taika Waititi delivered a comedic script that Kennedy praised, although its future remains uncertain.
- Donald Glover and Steve Soderbergh are also linked to submitted scripts.
Rian Johnson’s Trilogy
Discussion of Rian Johnson’s planned trilogy revealed that commitments to Netflix and projects like “Knives Out” have limited his involvement with Star Wars. Kennedy acknowledged that online backlash may have influenced his decision to step back from the franchise.
Updates on Simon Kinberg’s Project
According to Kennedy, Simon Kinberg is currently refining a story treatment for his project. The treatment has reached approximately 70 pages and is expected to be completed by March.
Future of the Star Wars Franchise
Kennedy hinted at the ongoing development of a new trilogy. While some projects remain on the back burner, others are considered promising under the new leadership. Filoni and Brennan are anticipated to determine the path forward.
The timeline for these developments could extend into 2030, suggesting that fans may have to wait for the next chapter of the Star Wars saga.
