‘These Jobs Are Not Easy’: Ex-Star Wars Boss Kathleen Kennedy Admits ‘Relief’ After Leaving Lucasfilm, Following Turbulent 14-Year Tenure
Kathleen Kennedy has stepped down from her role as head of Lucasfilm, expressing “relief” after a turbulent tenure overseeing Star Wars. Kennedy assumed leadership of Lucasfilm in 2002 from creator George Lucas, remaining through the studio’s acquisition by Disney and shepherding the franchise through significant changes.
During her tenure, Kennedy oversaw the production of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which generated billions in box office revenue but faced considerable fan backlash and disappointment. She also managed the expansion of Star Wars across television, with notably mixed results: series like The Mandalorian and Andor received critical acclaim and audience success, while other projects including Solo struggled commercially.
The Star Wars franchise under Kennedy’s leadership experienced a pattern of both significant successes and high-profile failures. While certain projects achieved critical and commercial success, numerous others failed to gain traction or were abandoned during development. This inconsistent track record contributed to the increasingly challenging environment at Lucasfilm and the pressures of her leadership role.
Kennedy’s departure concludes a lengthy chapter in her stewardship of one of entertainment’s most valuable franchises. The studio consistently faced challenges in balancing fan expectations with creative vision and commercial success across an expanding portfolio of Star Wars projects. Kennedy’s acknowledgment of relief in stepping down reflects the toll these competing pressures ultimately took on her leadership.