Kathleen Kennedy : The Final Curtain and the Legacy of a Decade of the Force
This is the news shaking Hollywood in early January 2026 : Kathleen Kennedy is reportedly preparing to leave the presidency of Lucasfilm. After 14 years of loyal service (and quite a few storms), the legendary producer for Spielberg and Lucas would be handing over the reins within two weeks. To replace her, Disney is not choosing a total rupture but a "controlled" continuity with a duo well-known to fans : Dave Filoni for creative and Lynwen Brennan for business.
14 Years of Reign : The Facts and Figures
The Era of Industrial Renaissance
Whether you like her or not, the Kennedy era (2012-2026) will remain as that of the industrial renaissance of the saga. Under her leadership, Lucasfilm produced 5 theatrical films and an explosion of content on Disney+.
Theatrical Releases (The Billion-Dollar Era)
- 2015 : The Force Awakens ($2.07 billion) – The triumphant return.
- 2016 : Rogue One ($1.05 billion) – The spin-off praised by all.
- 2017 : The Last Jedi ($1.33 billion) – The film of discord.
- 2018 : Solo ($393 million) – The first real financial setback.
- 2019 : The Rise of Skywalker ($1.07 billion) – The conclusion of the sequel trilogy.
🕹️ The Disney+ Pivot : Since 2019, Kennedy has moved the battle to the series front. We owe her the rise of The Mandalorian, but also more divisive projects : The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, and the recent (and much debated) The Acolyte.
The Complete Catalogue of the Kennedy Era (2012-2026)
To measure the scale of the work accomplished (and the vertigo it can cause), here is the exhaustive list of what was released under her mandate :
Live-Action Series (Disney+)
- 2019 - 2023 : The Mandalorian (Seasons 1, 2, and 3)
- 2021 : The Book of Boba Fett
- 2022 : Obi-Wan Kenobi (Limited Series)
- 2022 : Andor (Season 1)
- 2023 : Ahsoka (Season 1)
- 2024 : The Acolyte (Season 1)
- 2024 : Skeleton Crew (Season 1)
Animated Series & Special Formats
- 2014 - 2018 : Star Wars Rebels
- 2018 - 2020 : Star Wars Resistance
- 2020 : Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Season 7 - The Conclusion)
- 2021 - 2024 : The Bad Batch (Seasons 1 to 3)
- 2021 - 2025 : Star Wars: Visions (Anthology - Volumes 1, 2, and 3)
- 2022 : Tales of the Jedi
- 2023 : Young Jedi Adventures
- 2024 : Tales of the Empire
- 2025 : Andor (Season 2)
- 2025 : Tales of the Underworld
Coming Soon (The Final Projects Launched)
- May 20, 2026 : The Mandalorian & Grogu (The return to cinemas)
- 2026 : Ahsoka (Season 2)
💡 Kennedy didn't just handle lightsabers. She also oversaw the (highly debated) return of two other Lucasfilm pillars : the film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) and the Willow series (2022). Two attempts at a nostalgic revival that clearly show the difficulty of managing cult licenses in 2026.
Why This Departure Now ?
The timing is no coincidence. 2026 marks the grand return of Star Wars to the big screen with The Mandalorian & Grogu. Disney seems to want to start this new cycle with a new hierarchy to reassure a sometimes weary fanbase.
The Filoni/Brennan duo is there to balance the ship :
- Dave Filoni, George Lucas's "spiritual son," becomes the guardian of the narrative temple.
- Lynwen Brennan, coming from ILM, takes over the strategic management of a studio that must now watch its budgets (often criticized, like the $300 million for The Acolyte).
The LBC Opinion
Kennedy's departure is somewhat the end of an era of "attempts." We've had masterpieces of tension (Andor, Rogue One) but also choices that diluted the license's power by trying to fill the Disney+ catalogue.
We hope this passing of the torch will allow Dave Filoni to stabilize the lore and give Star Wars cinema its exceptional character back. Because after seven years of absence from the theaters, the public expects more than fan-service : they expect a vision, a real one. With "the man in the hat" at the helm, we want to believe in "A New Hope" for the galaxy, hoping that his arrival finally signals "The Return of the Jedi" (creatively speaking) that everyone is waiting for.
So, is Filoni the chosen one who will bring balance to the Force? We’re waiting for your theories in the comments below !
