Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has addressed recent rumors about her impending retirement, firmly denying that she plans to step down in 2025. Earlier this week, Puck News reported that Kennedy, a seasoned film producer, intended to retire at the end of her contract this year, mentioning that she had previously considered retiring in 2024 but postponed the decision. However, while Variety labeled the Puck story as "pure speculation" based on a source close to Kennedy, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the initial report.
Kennedy herself has now clarified her position in an interview with Deadline. 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 highlighted as a strong contender for her position. Despite these discussions, Kennedy made it clear that she is not retiring. "The truth is, and I want to just say loud and clear, I am not retiring," she stated emphatically. She further added, "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 succession "months or a year down the road," but emphasized that she will continue to stay at Lucasfilm. Her ongoing projects include producing the upcoming Mandalorian movie and a Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine. Kennedy acknowledged the evolving nature of her role, noting that the job has expanded significantly since she took over 13 years ago, especially with the advent of streaming services.
Addressing any speculation about being pushed aside, Kennedy firmly denied such claims, stating it "could not be further from the truth." Her tenure at Lucasfilm has been marked by overseeing the new sequel trilogy (Star Wars Episodes 7-9) and launching the streaming era with shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte. While some projects, like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, were major successes, others, such as Solo: A Star Wars Story, faced financial losses and mixed reviews.
When directly asked by Deadline if she would step down as Lucasfilm's president this year, Kennedy responded that she did not know "at this stage," but assured that any decision would be "100% my decision." She refrained from confirming whether Filoni would succeed her in the top job.
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