Kathleen Kennedy, the veteran studio executive who steered Lucasfilm through its most transformative and turbulent era, has admitted she feels “a bit of relief” after stepping down from her role leading the Star Wars franchise. Speaking at the Bloomberg Screentime event in Los Angeles this week, Kennedy reflected on a 14-year tenure that began when she took over the studio directly from creator George Lucas in 2002 and transformed it into a global entertainment powerhouse under Disney.
Kennedy oversaw an unprecedented expansion of the Star Wars universe during her time at the helm. She guided the studio through its landmark sale to Disney, produced a new trilogy of mainline films that grossed billions worldwide despite fierce fan backlash, and expanded storytelling across a slate of Disney+ series ranging from the hugely popular The Mandalorian to the critically acclaimed Andor.
A Legacy of Hits, Flops, and Abandoned Projects
The scope of Kennedy’s tenure is difficult to overstate. While some projects achieved tremendous success, others stumbled commercially or collapsed entirely during development. Solo: A Star Wars Story became a commercial disaster amid chaotic behind-the-scenes turmoil, with acclaimed directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller ditched mid-shoot. Gareth Edwards was reportedly replaced for Rogue One reshoots, while Colin Trevorrow stepped aside during the development of Episode 9.
Beyond those high-profile failures lies an extensive graveyard of Star Wars ideas that never materialized. Most famously discussed but ultimately shelved were The Hunt for Ben Solo and a trilogy from Game of Thrones showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff. Rian Johnson developed his own trilogy, while a Knights of the Old Republic concept could have launched yet another saga. Marvel’s Kevin Feige, director David Fincher, Luke Cage writer Matt Owens, and British comedian Simon Farnaby were all reportedly attached to Star Wars projects at various points.
A slew of other ideas left over from Kennedy’s tenure technically remain on the docket, though their futures grow increasingly uncertain. As Dark Phoenix director Simon Kinberg appears poised to direct Episodes 10 through 12, questions linger about whether a continuation of Rey’s story by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a Dave Filoni Mandoverse wrap-up, James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi project, Taika Waititi’s long-gestating idea, Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron film, or Donald Glover’s return as Lando Calrissian will ever see production.
“Finding That Balance Is Really The Toughest Thing”
Reflecting on her decision to leave, Kennedy acknowledged the immense pressure of stewarding one of cinema’s most beloved franchises. She spoke candidly about the delicate tightro-walk between satisfying devoted longtime fans and appealing to a broader audience.
“I suppose there’s a bit of relief. These jobs are not easy and stepping into something like that that George had created was an incredible challenge.”
Kathleen Kennedy, former head of Lucasfilm
Kennedy noted that the tension between honoring legacy and forging new ground is a dilemma faced by every long-running franchise. “You’ve got people where this means a lot to them,” she said, before adding: “But at the same time, the challenge is to try to create something new, something original. So finding that balance is really the toughest thing.”
The executive also conceded perfection is unattainable in Hollywood’s fickle movie business. “I don’t think you can do anything in terms of the movie business where every single thing is going to be a perfect hit,” Kennedy concluded, noting she always takes away lessons from post-mortems on what worked and what did not. “But I’m always proud of the work that’s been done.”
Looking Ahead
The Star Wars franchise now enters an uncertain new chapter as it navigates life without its longtime leader. The studio continues to build toward next year, when ryan Gosling stars in Star Wars: Starfighter and Ahsoka returns for a second season.
With Simon Kinberg reportedly set to guide the upcoming Episodes 10 through 12, Lucasfilm faces the daunting task of redefining the franchise’s creative direction. Fans and industry observers alike will watch closely as Kennedy’s successors attempt to answer the same fundamental question she identified throughout her tenure: how to honor a half-century legacy while creating something genuinely new.
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