Star Wars Veteran May Take Control in 2026

Key Takeaways

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Kathleen Kennedys departure from her co-president role at Lucasfilm is imminent, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan likely to take over.
Dave Filoni, known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, will spearhead creative direction across all Lucasfilm projects.
Lynwen Brennan, current general manager of Lucasfilm Business, is expected to manage executive and operational duties.
Kathleen Kennedy will remain an active producer for ongoing and future Star Wars projects approved before her departure.

Lucasfilm Shake-up: Filoni and Brennan Tipped to Take Charge in Star Wars Transition

Reports from early 2025 suggested that Kathleen Kennedy was preparing to step down from her leadership role at Lucasfilm, potentially ceding control of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Kennedy later clarified that her departure would not occur immediately, though she confirmed discussions with Disney’s Bob Iger about her eventual exit. Now, nearly a year later, new information indicates that this transition is imminent. According to Puck News, changes in Lucasfilm’s creative leadership are expected to be announced soon, with Kennedy stepping down as co-president. Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are likely successors, with Filoni taking charge of creative development across all Lucasfilm projects, and Brennan managing executive and operational duties.

Star Wars Transition: Filoni and Brennan Set to Lead in 2026

Filoni, currently the main creative leader for Star Wars, has extensive experience within the franchise, including his work on the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and his direction of The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett, among other projects. To support him in his new executive role, Disney has reportedly selected Lynwen Brennan, the current general manager of Lucasfilm Business. Disney is expected to confirm the transition, with Brennan handling the business operations at Lucasfilm and Filoni spearheading creative direction for films, TV shows, and other Star Wars content. The report from Puck News further suggests that Kennedy’s departure from the Lucasfilm presidency will be announced this month during a preplanned exit interview. She will remain an active producer for ongoing and future Star Wars projects approved before her departure. Unofficial sources also indicate that Disney may announce Kennedy’s departure as recently as January. Kennedy, who learned directly from George Lucas, previously hinted in 2025 that this transition was being prepared, suggesting it was a matter of “when,” not “whether.” According to the Puck News report, Filoni is expected to take control in 2026. As of now, neither Disney nor Lucasfilm has issued an official response.

In Case You Missed It

While we’re all abuzz about the upcoming cinematic adventures in the Star Wars universe, let me guide you through three must-reads to keep you up-to-date and excited. Kicking things off, Sophie Laurent’s article “Mandalorian & Grogu: Reclaiming Star Wars Magic” (published July 30th) offers an insightful exploration into Jon Favreau’s return to direct our beloved bounty hunter and his adorable companion, diving into the anticipation and addressing fan concerns about recent narrative shifts. Perfect for any Star Wars enthusiast eager to learn more about Mando and Grogu’s upcoming adventures, you can check it out here Mandalorian & Grogu Reclaims Star Wars Magic. Shifting gears, Carlos Mendoza’s latest post from 2025, “First Trailer for ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu'” published on September 22nd, gives us our first glimpse into the highly anticipated film set to hit theaters in May of 2026. Pedro Pascal and Baby Yoda are back, joined by exciting new cast members like Sigourney Weaver and a surprise appearance from Zeb Orrelios! Don’t miss this sneak peek – read all about it here First Trailer for “The Mandalorian & Grogu. In a surprising turn of events, actor Adam Driver reveals his attempts to bring Kylo Ren back to life on screen in Carlos Mendoza’s recent post “Kylo Ren Rejected by Disney, as Per Driver’s Account” (published just yesterday). The article unveils Driver’s efforts since 2021 to revive Kylo Ren in a redemption story with a script penned by Steven Soderbergh and Rebecca Blunt. Despite initial enthusiasm from Lucasfilm executives, Disney’s top brass declined the project due to their stance on Ben Solo’s survival. For a fascinating insight into this rejected Star Wars tale, check out Mendoza’s article here Kylo Ren Rejected by Disney, as Per Driver’s Account.