Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Studios Announce Leadership Transition

1/15/2026 Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm has announced a major leadership shift (here is the announcement on StarWars.com). After nearly 14 years as president, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down and returning to full-time producing, including upcoming films The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter.

Dave Filoni will assume creative leadership as President and Chief Creative Officer, with longtime executive Lynwen Brennan serving as Co-President, combining creative direction with operational leadership.

Filoni, who joined Lucasfilm in 2005, helped shape modern Star Wars through The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka. He is currently developing Ahsoka Season 2 and the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, set for May 22, 2026.

Brennan has been with Lucasfilm since 1999, rising from Industrial Light & Magic to senior leadership, guiding the company through major technological and business transformations.

Kennedy’s tenure began in 2012 and saw a massive expansion of Star Wars across film and television, including The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and the launch of live-action Star Wars series on Disney+.

With Filoni and Brennan stepping into leadership, Lucasfilm enters a new chapter focused on creator-driven storytelling while maintaining continuity with the modern Star Wars era.