Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, is reportedly planning to step down from her role by the end of 2025 when her current contract expires. While one source close to Kennedy dismissed the news as "pure speculation," another source familiar with the matter has confirmed her retirement plans.
Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 as co-chair alongside George Lucas before taking over as president following Disney's $4 billion acquisition of the company. During her tenure, she oversaw the revival of the Star Wars franchise, beginning with 2015's "The Force Awakens," which earned $2 billion globally.
Under her leadership, Lucasfilm launched several successful streaming series on Disney+, including "The Mandalorian" and "Andor." However, the studio also faced challenges, particularly with theatrical releases. While the sequel trilogy performed well at the box office, each subsequent film showed declining returns. The 2018 release "Solo: A Star Wars Story" became the first Star Wars film to lose money in theaters.
The studio's recent theatrical venture, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" (2023), struggled financially, losing approximately $140 million despite its $295 million budget.
Kennedy's legacy at Lucasfilm extends beyond Star Wars. Before joining the studio, she collaborated with Steven Spielberg and her husband Frank Marshall on iconic films like "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Jurassic Park," and "Back to the Future."
Looking ahead, Lucasfilm has several projects in development, including "The Mandalorian & Grogu," scheduled for theatrical release in 2026. The studio has also announced upcoming Star Wars films from directors James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Taika Waititi, though none have begun production.
The next major event for Lucasfilm under Kennedy's leadership will be Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, scheduled for April 18-20.