Kathleen Kennedy Addresses Retirement Rumors, Reveals Star Wars Succession Strategy

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has addressed recent reports about her retirement plans, firmly stating that she has no intention of stepping away from the film industry. Earlier this week, Puck News reported that Kennedy was set to retire at the end of her contract in 2025, with rumors that she had considered retiring as early as 2024. While Variety dismissed these claims as "pure speculation," The Hollywood Reporter corroborated the story.

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20 ImagesIn response to these reports, Kennedy spoke to Deadline, clarifying her stance. She is currently collaborating with Disney CEO Bob Iger on a succession plan, with Star Wars Rebels creator and Lucasfilm's chief creative officer, Dave Filoni, being mentioned as a strong contender for her position. Despite this, Kennedy was emphatic: "The truth is, and I want to just say loud and clear, I am not retiring."

She further emphasized her commitment to filmmaking, stating, "I will never retire from movies. I will die making movies. That is the first thing that’s important to say. I am not retiring."

Kennedy confirmed that Lucasfilm plans to make an announcement about her successor "months or a year down the road," but she will continue her role at Lucasfilm, which includes producing the upcoming Mandalorian movie and a Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine.

While acknowledging that she will eventually step down from her role as president, Kennedy made it clear that she is not leaving the company or the film industry. "I’m not going to be here forever," she said, reflecting on her journey since George Lucas asked her to take the helm 13 years ago. She highlighted the growth of Lucasfilm, noting the absence of streaming services when she started and the expansion of the company's creative endeavors.

Kennedy also refuted any suggestions that she was being "pushed aside" or "in need of being replaced," stating that such claims were "absolutely not the case" and "could not be further from the truth." Her tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including the new sequel trilogy (Star Wars Episodes 7-9) and the launch of Star Wars' streaming ventures like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte. While some projects, such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, were major successes, others have been controversial, and films like Solo: A Star Wars Story faced financial challenges.

When directly asked by Deadline if she would step down as Lucasfilm president this year, Kennedy responded that she did not know "at this stage," but any decision would be "100% my decision." She remained non-committal about Filoni taking over her role.