Star Wars: Update on Who Will Run Franchise After Kathleen Kennedy Retires
Why Kathleen Kennedy’s Seat Isn’t Vacant Yet
The Star Wars franchise is currently under the leadership of legendary producer Kathleen Kennedy, who has overseen Lucasfilm since 2012. But according to a new report, Disney already has its eyes on who could take over once she eventually retires.
Disney’s Likely Plan: Promote From Within
A recent report from The Hollywood Reporter (THR) on Hollywood succession planning mentions Lucasfilm specifically. While there have been rumors that Disney might bring in outside leadership after Kennedy steps down, THR suggests the studio is far more likely to promote from within. The names at the top of the list? Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck—two figures deeply entrenched in the Star Wars universe.
Dave Filoni: The Creative Force Behind Modern Star Wars
Currently serving as Lucasfilm’s Chief Creative Officer, Dave Filoni has arguably been the most influential creative mind in Star Wars since George Lucas himself. He first joined the franchise in 2005 when Lucas personally brought him in to direct Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an animated series that revitalized fan interest during a quiet period for the films.
Since then, Filoni has been instrumental in shaping the modern era of Star Wars. His credits include co-creating Star Wars Rebels, developing The Mandalorian alongside Jon Favreau, and spearheading Disney+ hits like Ahsoka, The Bad Batch, Resistance, and Tales of the Jedi.
Filoni’s strength lies in weaving together existing lore and expanding the mythology in ways that feel authentic to the universe. He’s a fan favorite, often praised for balancing deep-cut references with compelling, original storytelling.
Carrie Beck: The Strategic Producer Driving Star Wars Developmen
On the other side of the possible leadership duo is Carrie Beck, Lucasfilm’s Vice President of Animation and Live-Action Development. Beck co-created Star Wars Rebels and has been heavily involved in shaping the studio’s recent slate of shows. She’s worked closely with Filoni for years, serving as a producer and executive producer across numerous projects.
While Filoni is often seen as the “creative visionary,” Beck’s expertise lies in development strategy and ensuring new projects align with Lucasfilm’s broader storytelling goals. Together, they’ve been key to the success of Disney+’s Star Wars lineup.
Potential Concerns With the Duo
Despite their impressive résumés, THR notes that there are a few concerns about placing Filoni and Beck in charge of the entire franchise.
First, there’s the question of Filoni’s love for deep Star Wars mythology. While fans of The Clone Wars and Rebels appreciate the intricate lore, casual viewers can sometimes find it dense or inaccessible. Balancing the needs of hardcore fans with the broader mainstream audience will be a challenge.
Second, neither Filoni nor Beck has experience leading a major feature film production. Their expertise is rooted in television and animation, which—while critically important to the franchise today—requires different skill sets than shepherding massive theatrical blockbusters.
Kathleen Kennedy: No Rush to Step Down
For now, Kathleen Kennedy is still very much in charge of Lucasfilm. Rumors about her being fired or stepping aside have circulated for years, but she has repeatedly stated she has no immediate plans to retire. Under her leadership, Star Wars has expanded beyond the Skywalker saga into streaming series, animation, publishing, and theme park attractions.
That said, Disney appears to be thinking long-term. Even if Kennedy remains in place for several more years, having an internal succession plan in mind—especially with trusted creatives like Filoni and Beck—means the studio won’t face a leadership vacuum when the time comes.
What This Could Mean for Star Wars
If Filoni and Beck were to take over, fans could expect Star Wars to lean even more heavily into character-driven stories and interconnected narratives across TV and film. Disney’s streaming-first strategy for the franchise has been wildly successful so far, and a Filoni-Beck era would likely continue to expand that model while cautiously reintroducing theatrical films.=
In the meantime, Kennedy’s leadership ensures that upcoming projects—ranging from new Disney+ series to planned feature films—will move forward without disruption. The galaxy far, far away isn’t changing captains just yet, but the next generation of leadership is already waiting in the wings.
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Dena Falken Esq
Dena Falken Esq is renowned in the legal community as the Founder and CEO of Legal-Ease International, where she has made significant contributions to enhancing legal communication and proficiency worldwide.
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