Following several weeks of conjecture about Kathleen Kennedy’s potential retirement from Lucasfilm, Deadline has now released an exclusive interview where Kennedy firmly refutes any imminent departure plans. This contradicts earlier reports by Puck suggesting Disney was planning for her exit by the end of 2025, with The Hollywood Reporter and Variety later corroborating these claims.
Now, Kennedy is pushing back, stating in no uncertain terms: “I will die making movies.”
The point you’re making might come across as straightforward, but it’s often the case in Hollywood stories that things aren’t as simple as they appear.
While Kennedy maintains that she’s not resigning, she does acknowledge that Disney and Lucasfilm have been preparing for a leadership transition for quite some time, which would only be relevant if a change at the top was imminent. However, Deadline’s report seems to lean more towards a PR strategy than objective journalism, attempting to shift the narrative in Kennedy’s favor.
It seems there’s some speculation about the situation at Lucasfilm. Some are wondering if Kathleen Kennedy is maintaining her position or if this could be a prelude to her retirement and a subsequent transition.
Kennedy’s Defiant Response: “I Am Not Retiring”
Kathleen Kennedy firmly shut down rumors of her retirement, asserting to Deadline: “To set the record straight, I’m not retiring. Let me make this crystal clear – I won’t retire from films. I’ll keep making movies until the day I pass away.
When questioned about speculations of disorder at Lucasfilm, she also disagreed with the notion that the studio was experiencing upheaval, instead asserting: “Disorder? There’s never been any such thing, as we always have a clear understanding of our strategy.
The production process for the Star Wars sequel trilogy, as is widely known, began without a predetermined blueprint, allowing creators JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson significant artistic autonomy. However, it appears they engaged in a creative tug-of-war of sorts, shaping the films according to their individual visions.
Kennedy’s comments reveal contradictions that raise more questions than they answer.
- She admits that she has been in discussions with Disney CEO Bob Iger and studio head Alan Bergman about a transition plan for years.
- She confirms that an announcement about Lucasfilm’s leadership will be made “months or a year down the road.”
- She acknowledges that she is actively involved in choosing a successor and has been “in lockstep” with Disney on the matter.
If her exit isn’t happening, why is there already a plan in place?
Kennedy firmly reaffirms her authority over the selection process, asserting: “The choice is mine. This is a one hundred percent personal decision.
In a business as vast as Disney, no single executive holds complete control over their departure. As a publicly-traded corporation, Disney must cater to its shareholders, and recent indications suggest that the company’s leadership, including Iger, sees room for improvement at Lucasfilm.
It seems Kathleen Kennedy is maintaining that she’s staying put, yet the initiation of succession planning hints at a possible future retirement, as suggested by the unfolding events.
Why Did Deadline Publish This Now?
The approach taken in the interview by Deadline is marked by its assertive stance towards the claims made by Puck and other Hollywood trade publications. From the outset, it challenges Matt Belloni of Puck, alleging that he’s on a personal mission against Kennedy, and ridicules those who speculate about her potential successor.
This protective stance poses an intriguing query: Could this interview have been an unbiased journalistic work, or alternatively, a strategic move to manage public perception by the Public Relations team at Lucasfilm?
In simpler terms, major Hollywood news sources such as The Hollywood Reporter and Variety usually don’t report on leadership changes without having inside knowledge. Studios often leak information to these publications before making formal announcements. So, if the rumored retirement of Kathleen Kennedy is false, why haven’t Disney or Lucasfilm directly denied it through official channels? Why did Kennedy choose Deadline, an outlet known for its supportive stance towards her and described her as a “first ballot hall of famer,” to disseminate her message instead?
It’s worth mentioning that the strongest resistance often appears as a cordial discussion where Kennedy guides the discourse. This doesn’t convey a sense of assured, steady leadership; instead, it seems more like an effort to divert the topic.
Lucasfilm’s Future: A Studio in Transition
Although Kennedy claims everything’s fine at Lucasfilm, their recent past seems to tell a contrasting narrative.
- A string of failed or delayed films: Kennedy has announced multiple Star Wars projects that never materialized, including films from Rian Johnson, Patty Jenkins, Kevin Feige, and David Benioff & D.B. Weiss. The only movies currently moving forward are The Mandalorian & Grogu, and supposedly James Mangold’s Jedi origin film, along with a project by Shawn Levy, which remains in early stages.
- The decline of Star Wars on Disney+: The Mandalorian was once a juggernaut, but its third season saw diminished enthusiasm. Meanwhile, The Acolyte failed to capture audiences and was quietly canceled, while Skeleton Crew is struggling to gain traction.
- A rushed release strategy for Andor Season 2: Instead of a traditional weekly rollout, Disney is airing three episodes at a time over just four weeks—an approach that suggests low confidence or a desire to inflate viewership numbers for short-term streaming rankings.
- Rey Movie Mayhem: Kennedy’s pet project, a new movie based around Rey from the Star Wars sequel trilogy has been through four writers with no start point in sight.
Kennedy continues to be associated with projects such as “The Mandalorian” movie and films by Mangold and Levy, but the overall direction of Lucasfilm implies that her authority may be decreasing. If Disney intended for her to continue leading for an extended period, why are discussions about a leadership change already happening within the company?
Who Takes Over Lucasfilm?
As Kennedy hints at the imminent naming of a new figure, discussions and predictions regarding their possible successor are increasingly prevalent.
Among the names frequently brought up is Dave Filoni, who currently holds the position of Creative Officer at Lucasfilm. For a considerable time, Filoni has been contributing to the Star Wars narrative, starting with George Lucas on The Clone Wars series, followed by his work on The Mandalorian and Ahsoka projects.
Yet, Filoni isn’t the sole candidate being discussed. There are other potential leaders within Lucasfilm, and it’s possible that Disney might opt for an outsider with new ideas to take the helm.
The new person assuming control will face a challenging task: rebuilding audience faith in Star Wars, as well as introducing a more organized approach to the way Lucasfilm creates its movies – an aspect that has been noticeably absent under Kennedy’s leadership.
Final Thoughts: Kennedy’s Words vs. Reality
It seems Kennedy might be denying retirement, but her own words suggest that the process of handing over responsibilities (succession planning) is already underway.
The contradiction is clear:
- She denies that Lucasfilm is in turmoil while admitting that she has been discussing leadership changes with Disney for years.
- She claims to be in control of her own future, yet acknowledges that an official announcement about new leadership will come within a year.
- Deadline’s defensive coverage suggests a carefully managed PR effort rather than an organic denial.
Right now, it’s more about figuring out when rather than if Kennedy departs. The wheels are in motion, and Disney seems to be gearing up for a changeover based on their recent actions.
Despite her assertions that she won’t leave, it seems Lucasfilm’s future is pointing towards a new path – one that may see her in a less prominent position for an extended period.
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2025-02-28 15:21