Kathleen Kennedy Addresses Retirement Rumors, Confirms Star Wars Future

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has addressed recent reports suggesting her retirement in late 2025. Earlier reports in Puck News claimed she planned to retire at the end of her contract, citing previous consideration of retirement in 2024. While Variety dismissed the story as speculation, The Hollywood Reporter corroborated the report.

Kennedy herself has now responded, stating definitively to Deadline that she is not retiring. "I will never retire from movies," she declared. "I will die making movies." She confirmed collaboration with Disney CEO Bob Iger on a succession plan after 13 years at Lucasfilm, noting Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm's chief creative officer, is a strong contender for her eventual replacement. However, she emphasized her continued presence at Lucasfilm, including overseeing production of the upcoming Mandalorian movie and a Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy.

While acknowledging future plans for her eventual departure from the presidency, Kennedy clarified that this doesn't signal retirement from filmmaking or Lucasfilm entirely. She explained the evolution of the role since her appointment, highlighting the expansion into streaming and other ventures not present when she began. She also refuted suggestions of being pushed out or needing replacement, stating this was entirely untrue. Her tenure has overseen the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII-IX), the launch of the successful Star Wars streaming era (including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte), as well as some commercially less successful projects like Solo: A Star Wars Story.

When directly questioned about stepping down this year, Kennedy stated she didn't know at this point but confirmed the decision would be hers alone. She declined to comment on whether Filoni would succeed her.