The funny twist in the ongoing departure of Kathleen Kennedy from the Star Wars franchise unfolded as two popular Hollywood reporters, Matt Belloni from Puck and Mike Fleming Jr. from Deadline, have found themselves engaged in a public spat over the details surrounding Kennedy’s rumored departure from Lucasfilm.
The unique appeal of this confrontation lies in the fact that both journalists appear to be conveying the same message, but with dramatically distinct styles.
One side asserts that Belloni is firmly backing his claim that Kennedy will depart Lucasfilm by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, Fleming is taking on the role of Kennedy’s advocate, asserting she maintains control over the situation, even though Kennedy herself has acknowledged a leadership transition is underway.
This is no longer just about Kennedy’s departure—it’s about who controls the narrative.
Mike Fleming Jr.: “Sorry, Matt, the Woman is a First-Ballot Hall of Famer”
The events unfolded after Mike Fleming Jr. from Deadline posted a very flattering conversation with Kathleen Kennedy, leading some to believe it was an effort to repair her reputation following the first rumor by Puck that she might step down from Star Wars.
Fleming criticized Belloni on a personal level, labeling his reports as seemingly biased or revengeful against Kennedy.
For a number of years, Fleming stated, Belloni has been criticizing Kennedy as if she had an unpaid debt to him, despite the fact that in his initial report, Belloni acknowledged Kennedy’s achievements in the movie business.
Afterward, he rejected the notion that Kennedy was being forced out, even though she herself had acknowledged that transition planning had been underway for quite some time.
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He later denied the claim that Kennedy was being pushed out, but she had previously confirmed that succession plans had been in motion for years.
From my perspective, things seemed chaotic and Kennedy appeared to be under pressure. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that the situation was actually quite organized.
Later, Fleming shifted to a lengthy career tribute disguised as a defense, listing Kennedy’s previous accomplishments and stating emphatically, “I’m sorry, Matt, but this woman is destined for the Hall of Fame on her first try, not someone who should be treated like a pinata.
Although Fleming vigorously defended himself, Kennedy herself never directly refuted the heart of Belloni’s account.
Fleming put up a strong theatrical defense, but Kennedy didn’t challenge the essence of Belloni’s narrative.
For quite a while now, I’ve been discussing potential future leadership scenarios with both Bob and Alan. Our plan is to reveal our decision, be it in a few months or even a year from now.
That… is exactly what Belloni reported.
So why the meltdown?
Matt Belloni Fires Back: Claims Deadline Apologized for Fleming’s Behavior
As a film enthusiast, I didn’t hesitate to respond, poking fun at Fleming for his overly flattering demeanor and labeling his Kennedy interview as “hilariously flattering.
Later on, he criticized Deadline’s reliability, stating: “Mike Fleming, who seems to find every movie producer’s confidence without fail, conducted a laughably adoring interview with Kathleen Kennedy shortly after I revealed the news.
Additionally, he clarified Fleming’s misunderstanding about his report, emphasizing that he did not state Kennedy was “retiring” – rather, he mentioned she was departing from Lucasfilm while still planning to create movies at another location.
Rather than accepting the confirmation, Fleming countered by making a personal attack and strangely asserted that I had stated Kennedy was stepping down. He deemed it as foolishness.
Subsequently, Belloni disclosed another incriminating detail – a representative from within Deadline’s overarching corporation, Penske Media, contacted him with an apology.
A key individual from Penske Media, the company that owns Deadline, has already extended an apology to me over Fleming’s actions, according to him.
It’s possible that Fleming’s excessive defense of Kennedy wasn’t endorsed by his superiors, but rather a means to safeguard his personal relationships with the high echelon of Hollywood.
Belloni wrapped up by shifting focus back to the real issue—Kennedy’s looming departure.
Kennedy plans to step down at some point this year, as he mentioned earlier. We’ll all go our separate ways, leaving Fleming to potentially stumble over different subjects in the future.
The Narrative War: Kennedy’s Damage Control in Action
It seems that the Deadline interview was an urgent effort to shift the conversation following the Puck’s report, which sparked jubilation among Star Wars enthusiasts and slightly boosted Disney’s stock price.
Kennedy’s bold statement, “I will continue making films,” was intended to portray her as a determined and self-directed professional, not one who was being pushed aside due to a string of disappointments. However, the fact that preparations for her successor are already underway seems to contradict this notion.
It seems that Disney is allowing Kennedy to handle her departure on her own terms, which could be seen as a tactful way to preserve their reputation rather than forcing her out in the open. This is a strategic maneuver, one where reporters such as Fleming are tasked with smoothing over any potential conflicts.
But no matter how many puff pieces are written, the writing is on the wall.
Final Thoughts: Kennedy’s Exit Is Happening—No Matter How Deadline Spins It
Regardless of the elaborate spins put forth by Deadline and Kennedy’s public relations team, over the past week, no new information has surfaced that goes against Belloni’s initial report from my perspective.
- Kennedy admits succession planning is happening.
- She admits an announcement will come within a year.
- Belloni’s studio sources are standing by their timeline.
The interview on Deadline wasn’t an actual denial – it was a damage-control effort following the excitement sparked by Puck’s report among Star Wars enthusiasts, which also led to a favorable response in the stock market.
It appears that Kathleen Kennedy may soon depart from Lucasfilm, although it remains uncertain for how much longer her public relations team can maintain the contrary.
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2025-03-01 00:57