Kathleen Kennedy exits Star Wars after 14 years

Kathleen Kennedy exits Star Wars after 14 years

In one of the most consequential shake-ups in Hollywood’s sci-fi landscape, Kathleen Kennedy has stepped down as president of Lucasfilm , the studio behind the Star Wars franchise, ending a remarkable 14-year run overseeing one of the world’s most beloved entertainment universes.  Kennedy’s departure, announced on 15 January 2026 , marks the end of an era that began shortly before Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 — when George Lucas himself personally chose her to steer the company into a new chapter of storytelling.  A Legacy of Expansion — And Controversy During her tenure, Kennedy shepherded Star Wars into a bold new era.  Under her leadership, Lucasfilm produced: The blockbuster sequel trilogy — beginning with 2015’s The Force Awakens , which reignited global box office excitement for the saga.  Hit Disney+ series including The Mandalorian and Andor , which helped establish the franchise as a streaming powerhouse.  The expansion of Star Wars across parks, merchandise, and multimedia…