Kathleen Kennedy Addresses Retirement Rumors, Reveals Star Wars Succession Strategy

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has responded to recent reports suggesting she is set to retire in 2025. Earlier this week, Puck News claimed that the veteran film producer planned to step down at the end of her contract this year, after previously considering retirement in 2024. While Variety reported that a source close to Kennedy dismissed Puck's story as "pure speculation," The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the report.

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20 ImagesIn response to these reports, Kennedy has clarified her position. According to Deadline, she is collaborating with Disney CEO Bob Iger on a succession plan, with Star Wars Rebels creator and current Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni reportedly in a strong position to succeed her. However, Kennedy firmly stated, "The truth is, and I want to just say loud and clear, I am not retiring."

She emphasized her dedication to filmmaking, saying, "I will never retire from movies. I will die making movies. That is the first thing that’s important to say. I am not retiring." Kennedy also confirmed that Lucasfilm intends to announce a succession plan in the coming months or a year, but she will continue to stay at Lucasfilm. Her upcoming projects include producing a Mandalorian movie and a Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine.

While Kennedy is preparing to step down from her role as president, she made it clear that she is not leaving Lucasfilm or the movie industry. She reflected on her tenure, noting, "I’m not going to be here forever. George [Lucas] asked me 13 years ago to step in, and now I’m looking at who’s going to replace me. And as I said, we have a bench of people internally to handle the business, the creative side. The job has grown also since I stepped in. There was no streaming, there weren’t a lot of the things that we’re involved in right now going on. So it has grown."

When asked directly by Deadline if she would step down as Lucasfilm boss this year, Kennedy replied that she did not know "at this stage," but emphasized that any decision to step down would be "100% my decision." She did not confirm whether Filoni would take over her role.