Star Wars Future Revealed: Kathleen Kennedy Vows to ‘Die Making Movies’, Denies Lucasfilm Exit Rumors

Kathleen Kennedy has recently addressed the rumors circulating about her imminent retirement from Lucasfilm and Star Wars. There has been considerable speculation in recent days that Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, might be stepping down. However, Kennedy has now clarified her position, choosing her words with noticeable precision.

In a conversation with Deadline, Kennedy clarified that she has no plans to retire, explaining that what has been discussed is merely typical succession planning.

“I want to make it very clear that I am not retiring. I will continue to make movies until I die. That’s the primary point. At Lucasfilm, discussions about future leadership have been ongoing with Bob and Alan for some time. We have a talented team, and we plan to announce our future leadership in the coming months or perhaps a year. We are in agreement on the next steps, and I am actively involved. I’m currently producing the Mandalorian movie and will be producing Sean Levy’s next film. So, I am not leaving Lucasfilm. We are considering our future leadership options carefully with Bob and Alan, and we will announce these decisions at the appropriate time,” Kennedy stated.

Kennedy declined to reveal who might succeed her, but she assured that there is no turmoil behind the scenes. “George asked me to take over 13 years ago, and now I am considering who will follow me. We have a strong internal team capable of managing both the business and creative aspects. The role has expanded significantly since I started, with new developments like streaming services, which weren’t factors before,” she remarked. She also mentioned that formal announcements regarding her succession would likely be made “months or a year from now,” and she plans to remain in a supportive role thereafter.

Kathleen Kennedy’s Choice of Words Is Measured

Yet, She’s Not Leaving Anytime Soon

Kennedy’s statements are carefully crafted and intentional. She emphasizes that the current discussions are part of normal succession planning, and that everything is proceeding smoothly. “I can’t disclose who [my successor] will be yet,” she explained to Deadline, “as there’s an internal process within a large and publicly traded company about how we finalize decisions and make announcements. It’s a standard procedure, and we are currently navigating through it.“

Interestingly, although Kennedy is countering reports initially made by Puck News‘ Matthew Beloni, her comments align with other recent reports. Industry insider Jeff Sneider had indicated that Kennedy is far from finished with Star Wars, planning to remain actively involved in productions including Shawn Levy’s upcoming movie and the Kinberg trilogy. Kennedy herself confirms her intention to continue supporting Lucasfilm even after her presidency ends.

Perspectives on Kennedy’s Retirement

The Rumors of Her Departure Are Significantly Overstated

It is evident that succession planning at Lucasfilm is already underway, which might explain some of the confusion in media reports. Kennedy has been non-committal about the exact timing of any announcements, suggesting they could happen in the next few months or even years, and will occur when Lucasfilm deems appropriate. While some speculated that an announcement might be made at the Star Wars Celebration, this remains uncertain.

Nonetheless, the future of Star Wars appears secure. In her discussion with Deadline, Kennedy highlighted that several projects are in progress. These include Shawn Levy’s enigmatic Star Wars project and Simon Kinberg’s trilogy, which she described as “the new saga that will take us forward.” When Kennedy eventually decides to leave Lucasfilm, she will do so with the legacy of having significantly expanded the franchise.