Crime Star Wars legend Kathleen Kennedy ‘expected to retire’ later this year - Producer has been instrumental in shaping the franchise for more than a decade.

UPDATE: Complete fabrication! She is just choosing a succession plan for many years down the road. But she will NEVER RETIRE FROM MAKING MOVIES BISH!

https://deadline.com/2025/02/kathleen-kennedy-clarifies-lucasfilm-exit-star-wars-future-1236304421/

L/A

Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy is set to step down from her role as overseer of the Star Wars franchise, according to new reports.

Kennedy joined the production company, which was founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas, in 2012 in the role of co-chair, alongside director Lucas.

Just a few months later, Lucas sold the company to Disney for $4bn and Kennedy was promoted to the role of president.

But film industry newsletter Puck reported on Monday (24 February) that Kennedy, 71, has told colleagues that she will retire by the end of 2025.

The Independent has contacted Lucasfilm for further comment.

The producer, who previously worked with Steven Spielberg on films including ET, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List, oversaw the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise, kicking off with the release of seventh movie The Force Awakens in 2015.

The Force Awakens, directed by JJ Abrams was a huge box office success, grossing more than $2bn around the world, and also received a generally positive response from the film series’ legions of fans.

Disney went on to rapidly expand the franchise, releasing one film a year until 2019, including spin-off movies such as 2016’s Rogue One and 2018’s Solo, as well as Star Wars TV shows including The Mandalorian.

However, Kennedy’s tenure at Lucasfilm was not entirely straightforward. Both Rogue One and Solo had complex journeys to the big screen, with the former reportedly requiring extensive reshoots.

Kennedy also fired Solo’s original directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord while the Han Solo origin story movie was in production, eventually replacing him with Ron Howard.

As the franchise quickly grew, with the arrival of a slew of streaming spin-offs, some Star Wars fans seemed concerned that this speedy expansion was diluting the magic of the galaxy far, far away.

Various other projects, including a film trilogy from Game of Thrones screenwriters David Benioff and DB Weiss and another from The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson, failed to materialise.

The next Star Wars movie will be The Mandalorian and Grogu, which will debut in May 2026, marking the franchise’s first big screen release since The Rise of Skywalker, the concluding part of the reboot trilogy, arrived in December 2019

 

[Dagoth AMOGUS]

I think someone else ought to remake the original trilogy. It can be done.

 

[ZazietheBeast]

Can't wait to see her send-off when it happens. If it even happens. Fuck it. Early celebration.

She'll be remembered as a negative example of letting hacks handle your IP.

Dude was a middle aged boomer with like 20k views and he managed to piss off Disney and jewwood so hard they dedicated a 100$ million dollar failed show to fight him.
I'd gloat too.
I hope Null gets parodied on some shit on Netflix soon, that'd be cool.

View attachment 7023976

This will never not be funny. He's managed to enrage them so much he's now part of Marvel canon. Sure, its from the shitty ass She Hulk show and the writing is on level with Sonichu (and if She Hulk continued, they'd make their own PVCC) but he's now part of Marvel canon and there's no changing that.

 

[VargReallyDidNothingWrong]

But film industry newsletter Puck reported on Monday (24 February) that Kennedy, 71, has told colleagues that she will retire by the end of 2025.

This woman was 60 when she took over running the franchise, and we wonder why it was nothing but rehashes of old shit or stuff that made no goddamn sense and appealed to nobody.

 

[CreamyHerman’s]

Unless it's been confirmed, I don't buy it.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

It’s wild how far it has fallen.

They went from billion dollar movies (even the prequels were a phenomenon) to where we are now; Releasing TV shows that not even the fans bother watching.

I remember people coming to school with light sabers on May 4th. Doubt that happens in schools now.

The Prequel Trilogy gave people things that they could use for ideas. The Sequel Trilogy razed the earth and salted the fucking fields behind it.

Disney also killed the expanded universe. They could have used that to make things fans wanted, but no. That makes too much sense.

 

[Fapcop]

George Lucas had gotten by winging Star Wars because he was surrounded by talented people who cared enough to fix it's flaws and make it a masterpiece, by the time the prequels happened, he was surrounded by Yes men.

Bullshit.

I hear this argument a lot, and if SW was all he had ever made, there might have been an argument.

But the guy made SW AND Indiana jones AND one of the most profitable movies ever: American Graffiti. (Which also launched a whole new genre of movies.).

He made successful TV shows, revolutionized merchandising, launched Lucasgame: A very successful software developer, created a worldwide sound standard: THX, and changed the movie industry and computers/special effects in numerous ways.

The “He just knew some talentful people” is nonsense when you look at the width and breadth of his career and achievements.

If it was so easy: Just to surround yourself with some talented people, then how come every director doesn’t have that kind of list of achievements?

I think someone else ought to remake the original trilogy. It can be done.

They tried that. With The Force Awakens. The results were very mid. Then Kathleen Kennedy hired a moron who threw that whole plan in the ditch, because none of these morons had the foresight to sketch out an overall arc.

They literally thought that Star Wars is a machine that you can just throw money and big names into, and transforms that into more money.

Disney also killed the expanded universe. They could have used that to make things fans wanted, but no. That makes too much sense.

Kinda tired of watching nerds drool over Mara Jade, but you have a point. There was plenty of stuff in the EU that could have made a decent sequel trilogy.

SW is a family saga at its heart, so they could have used the grandkids. Ben and Vestara maybe. (Actually that’s a decent idea! Have Vestara be the Sith girl that Ben falls for, kinda redoing Mara Jades arc, since it would be fucking weird to watch a 60 year old Luke Skywalker thirst for a woman in her thirties. Anyways, this is getting very nerdy.)

Shit, even the weird extra galactic aliens, who only use biological technology that they fight with in the EU, could have made for a better sequel than what we got.

 

[IAmNotAlpharius]

Say what you want about George Lucas but he ran circles around this bitch in terms of a cohesive story. Like yeah he needed someone to keep him in check and episodes one and two are literal dogshit but at least they're better then the sequel trilogy. I remember watching Last Jedi in the theatre and being visibly disgusted.

I rewatched episode I in theaters. It was actually fun to see it on the big screen.

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

Vomiting on the Japanese Prime Minister????

That was kino as fuck and I will stand behind that any day.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

Kinda tired of watching nerds drool over Mara Jade, but you have a point. There was plenty of stuff in the EU that could have made a decent sequel trilogy.

Never cared much about Star Wars, so I'm definitely not drooling over Mara Jade. Whoever that is. Just pointing out Disney canned a ton of premade material they could have used.

 

[The Ugly One]

Disney also killed the expanded universe. They could have used that to make things fans wanted, but no. That makes too much sense.

They could have used "good writers" and a "coherent story" to make things fans wanted, too, but sticking it to STALE PALE MALES was more important.

 

[Bonesjones]

Bullshit.

I hear this argument a lot, and if SW was all he had ever made, there might have been an argument.

We are talking specifically about star wars though, which was a mess of rewrites and making shit up as it went a long.

But the guy made SW AND Indiana jones AND one of the most profitable movies ever: American Graffiti. (Which also launched a whole new genre of movies.).

That he made with Spielberg, with Ron Howard in American Graffitti, both legendary directors in their own rights. Also side note both of those movies reference their inate pedophilia.

He made successful TV shows, revolutionized merchandising, launched Lucasgame: A very successful software developer, created a worldwide sound standard: THX, and changed the movie industry and computers/special effects in numerous ways.

You only prove the point that his strengths weren't in directing and writing but in being a visionary business man.

The “He just knew some talentful people” is nonsense when you look at the width and breadth of his career and achievements.

Not when you go back to the original Star Wars which apparently was a complete mess until his wife edited it until something watchable.

If it was so easy: Just to surround yourself with some talented people, then how come every director doesn’t have that kind of list of achievements?

George Lucas fucked himself over financially to have creative control over Star Wars accepting the merchandising rights which he used to make all the money. Most people in Hollywood never get the chance to put forth their vision without studio meddling ruining the whole thing.

 

[Abradolfus_Linclerson]

A legend? She ran the franchise completely into the ground.

Oh she’s a legend, all right. If there’s any justice in the world, she’ll be placed on a pedestal and held up as the ur-example of the dumbest, most incompetent motherfucker to ever run a money-printing machine. She’ll be a cautionary tale in business schools and film schools, and her legacy will be Eric Cartman in drag, shrieking, “Put a chick in it and make her lame and gay!” for all eternity.

I know it won’t happen that way, but a nerd can dream, okay?

I remember people coming to school with light sabers on May 4th. Doubt that happens in schools now.

Disney also killed the expanded universe. They could have used that to make things fans wanted, but no. That makes too much sense.

I mean, I could see them forbidding the lightsabers as much for bullshit “zero tolerance” policies on weapons, as nobody bringing them cuz Star Wars is for lesbians now.

And it’s worse than merely killing the Extended Universe. They killed it, then looted the corpse for ideas and slapped just enough paint on them to get away with calling them ‘new’ ideas. Starkiller Base was the Galaxy Gun in all but name; Snoke was some mutant Palpatine clone; Rouge Bun was a bastardized mishmash of the half-dozen story beats outlined in games, books, and comics for how the Rebellion got the original Death Star plan; Grand Admiral Thrawn ala Disney is a fucktard and an insult to the actual character…. I’m sure there’s more in all the Disney Wars shit, those are just the easiest for me to remember.

Fuck off and die in a ditch, Kathleen Kennedy. Drag Jew Jew Abram’s to hell with you when you go, please.

 

[Kamen Rider Faiz]

10 years of pure shit already? time sure flies
After all this time passed I can only think of the absurd quantity of toys of all those new quirky characters that will never ever sell, all accross the US, of course the MCU also contributes to that big pile. There was a guy who did multiple videos exploring toy stores, with the nu-star wars and marvel slop being always there by the ton, for months and months, that will someday join the funko trash landfill.
Nothing else to say that wasn't already said when it comes to the movies, it's gonna be hard for her future replacement to do it worse, that's for sure
shoutouts to E;R

Fuck off and die in a ditch, Kathleen Kennedy. Drag Jew Jew Abram’s to hell with you when you go, please.

couldn't say it better

 

[Fapcop]

Never cared much about Star Wars, so I'm definitely not drooling over Mara Jade. Whoever that is. Just pointing out Disney canned a ton of premade material they could have used.

Oh, wasn’t talking about you, just the fandom in general.

(She’s a red haired hottie who used to be the emperors secret agent. Set out to kill Luke Skywalker who ultimately slipped her the D. Even got married and had a kid.)

Not when you go back to the original Star Wars which apparently was a complete mess until his wife edited it until something watchable.

That’s also bullshit. And a common myth. There were two editors and Star Wars, who worked from GL’s directions. GL also edited the movie himself whenever he had time.

(Source: The Making of SW book.)

That he made with Spielberg, with Ron Howard in American Graffitti, both legendary directors in their own rights. Also side note both of those movies reference their inate pedophilia

Sure, he’s skilled at surrounding himself with talented people, which is also a talent in itself. Filmmaking is a collaborative endeavor.

The guy clearly has talent. Just look at what shit Dave Filoni makes, when he’s not handheld by Lucas.

You only prove the point that his strengths weren't in directing and writing but in being a visionary business man.

Notice how his businesses aren’t importing carpets or groceries but all tied to creative endeavors. Because his talents are in… Filmmaking.

And nobody ever said GL was the greatest director ever. He was a competent director, but his real strengths are in telling stories and creating unique visions. If he wasn’t talented and at least a decent director, then how the F do you think he ever got a studio to take a chance at him?

Most people in Hollywood never get the chance to put forth their vision without studio meddling ruining the whole thing.

Which is why he went outside of the studio system to make his movies and created Lucasfilm. Something that’s admirable in itself.

And again: If it was that easy and he’s such a hack, then how come you don’t see other guys with a similar track record?

 

[Bonesjones]

And again: If it was that easy and he’s such a hack, then how come you don’t see other guys with a similar track record?

All you did was spend 1000 words agreeing with me and try to twist it into me being wrong so you can suck George Lucas' dick some more.

I also already answered that, he worked for peanuts and made a shit ton of money for everyone in the aftermath. All Hollywood cares about is money, they will gladly shit all over everything you love to make a dollar.

 

[Fapcop]

Oh she’s a legend, all right. If there’s any justice in the world, she’ll be placed on a pedestal and held up as the ur-example of the dumbest, most incompetent motherfucker to ever run a money-printing machine.

I’m kinda looking forward to the upcoming Ray movie if they ever actually make it.

I’m looking forward to them going full on STAR WARS IS BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN, only for the whole thing to flop harder than Dave Filoni’s dick gets when he imagines himself fucking a 14 year old Ahsoka.

Ffs that show was terrible. They threw everything in there. Thrawn! Hayden Christensen as Anakin! Faaaaan faaavorite AHSOKA!

And it still flopped and was as embarrassing as shitting yourself at the office Christmas party.

All you did was spend 1000 words agreeing with me and try to twist it into me being wrong so you can suck George Lucas' dick some more.

I also already answered that, he worked for peanuts and made a shit ton of money for everyone in the aftermath. All Hollywood cares about is money, they will gladly shit all over everything you love to make a dollar.

Oh ok! I’ll just get to know some directors and offer to work for free then! And make everyone whole lot of money. It’s sooper dooper easy after all!

So easy that even a moron like Kathleen Kennedy can.. Oh wait hold on…

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

You know, does anyone even watch Andor? It’s never canceled but I never hear it spoken about even to mock it for being dumb, it’s just there. What the fuck is going on there?

 

[Molag Bal]

Doomcock

Can you explain the entire context of what this refers to for someone who hasn't been following Kathleen-era star wars at all? To elaborate what that entails
>Who is Doomcock
>Did they really dedicate a full-budget production to fighting a stand-in of Doomcock
>Which are the obvious similarities between this stand-in and Doomcock?

 

[Tanner Glass]

What's with all the simping for George Lucas?

Because the prequel movies - while bad, had a certain kind of bad charm to them. It was also an unforced error and gigantic undertaking to try and write a story out of order - with most people starting from Episode 4, writing a prequel where everyone in the audience already knows who lives and who dies. But there were flashes of charm in those movies.

The Disney movies? Complete and utter corporate slop in the worst way. Quite literally some of the worst movies/television ever made and quite possibly the biggest waste of money in the entertainment space (Disney is probably into Star Wars to the tune of ten billion dollars).

Lucas was not great and pretty checked out by the time the Prequels rolled around - but him on his worst day is still miles above what anyone over at Disney has been able to do (including Dave F) and will ever be able to do.

 

[Abradolfus_Linclerson]

Because the prequel movies - while bad, had a certain kind of bad charm to them. It was also an unforced error and gigantic undertaking to try and write a story out of order - with most people starting from Episode 4, writing a prequel where everyone in the audience already knows who lives and who dies. But there were flashes of charm in those movies.

The Disney movies? Complete and utter corporate slop in the worst way. Quite literally some of the worst movies/television ever made and quite possibly the biggest waste of money in the entertainment space (Disney is probably into Star Wars to the tune of ten billion dollars).

Lucas was not great and pretty checked out by the time the Prequels rolled around - but him on his worst day is still miles above what anyone over at Disney has been able to do (including Dave F) and will ever be able to do.

Their 'bad charm' included such novel ideas as asking and answering questions within the confines of the movie run times; setting up the state of the galaxy and giving us an understanding of the world this story is set in; actual characters, some of whom are even likable; aliens that don't look like animate genitalia with faces; good fight choreography; generally satisfying resolution to major plot threads (YMMV); and amazing musical scores.

You'll note that basically all of these things are missing from every Disney Wars product Kathleen Kennedy's been responsible for assuring gets shit out onto the screen, big or little. You can't tell me that Duel of the Fates doesn't automatically conjure up moments of the three-way fight scene between Darth Maul, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon; ditto that Battle of the Heroes doesn't do the same for the final fight between Obi-Wan and the fallen Anakin. Even if you don't know the names of those tunes, you'd know them if you heard them. Now, besides the shit choreography of the Snoke throne room fight...does anyone remember the music? I sure as hell can't. Ditto Ray Suewalker vs. Darth Emo at the end of TFA, the fuck was the music? Beats me.

Not gonna lie, I thought Dave Felony was pretty good in the early days--I enjoyed a lot of what I saw in Clone Wars (the TV show), even if a lot of it was also bad or ham-fisted and/or stupid. I respected him right up until I heard about Rebels introducing time travel to get Asshoka out of her confrontation with Vader--that whole "sacrifice for the team and confronting your old mentor" scene was some good storytelling. ...and then he pulls time travel out of his ass to save his underage waifu, and I suddenly saw exactly what a lot of people had been criticizing him for that I'd thought might have been a little overblown.

TL;DR, yes, Lucas superior, all of Disney Wars inferior.