Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Responds to Retirement Reports, Confirms Star Wars Succession Plan

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy addresses retirement rumors, clarifying her future with the company. Recent reports suggesting her imminent retirement in late 2025 have been met with a direct response from Kennedy herself.

Earlier reports from outlets like Puck News claimed Kennedy was planning to retire at the end of her contract. While Variety dismissed the story as speculation, The Hollywood Reporter corroborated the initial report.

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Kennedy, in a statement to Deadline, confirmed discussions with Disney CEO Bob Iger regarding a succession plan after 13 years at the helm. Dave Filoni, creator of Star Wars Rebels and Lucasfilm's chief creative officer, is reportedly a strong contender for her position. However, Kennedy emphatically stated, "The truth is, and I want to just say loud and clear, I am not retiring." She added, "I will never retire from movies. I will die making movies."

While acknowledging a future transition, Kennedy affirmed her continued presence at Lucasfilm, overseeing projects including the upcoming Mandalorian movie and a film directed by Shawn Levy. She emphasized that the decision to step down will be entirely hers, and the timing remains uncertain. She also refuted suggestions that she was being forced out, calling such claims untrue.

Her tenure has overseen the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII-IX), the launch of the successful Star Wars streaming series (The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte), as well as some commercially less successful ventures.

In short, while a succession plan is underway, Kennedy's departure is not immediate and remains entirely her decision. She intends to remain involved in filmmaking, even if her role as Lucasfilm president eventually changes.