One of the brilliant creative forces behind The Goonies and Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Kathleen Kennedy, is expected to retire by the end of 2025, and the news has stirred plenty of buzz in Hollywood. As president of Lucasfilm, she played a major role in building the Star Wars era, which left many wondering who could replace her, and Disney seemed to have the same question.

As rumors swirl around the mastermind behind Star Wars projects like The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Mandalorian, Disney seems to have finally made the move.

As reported by Puck, Lucasfilm is preparing for a major leadership change after Kathleen Kennedy plans to step down from her position as President. To replace Kathleen Kennedy, who has spent a decade in this job, was not an easy task for Disney. 

As per sources, two names have surfaced, and those are Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, and the two could replace Kathleen Kennedy as co-presidents. However, this new upgrade for Lucasfilm is not official yet, and fans can expect an announcement within the next couple of weeks. But until then, nothing is confirmed.

Now, if this update from Puck is true, then under the reported structure, Dave Filoni is expected to oversee all creative development across Lucasfilm projects. On the other hand, Lynwen Brennan, who is currently serving as General Manager, is reportedly being promoted to handle executive and operational duties. 

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If finalized, the shift would be seismic, for the company, and for the galaxy. Given Dave Filoni’s long apprenticeship in that universe, his name began circulating as Kathleen Kennedy’s heir almost before the retirement whispers had finished clearing their throats.

Soon after the news of Kathleen Kennedy’s retirement was revealed, Dave Filoni’s name began to surface as the potential successor. And the reason is understandable since Dave Filoni has a strong knowledge of Star Wars. Moreover, he is mentored directly by George Lucas. 

He was part of The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and more which rebuilt fan trust and expanded the franchise beyond films. 

  His experience at Lucasfilm is also something remarkable. Moreover, his collaboration with Jon Favreau helped turn The Mandalorian into a massive success. He is already a household name in the industry and trusted by the fandom, which explains why Disney could be interested in making the shift. This would also be a big move for the Star Wars promising a new era, akin to what James Gunn has done for DC.

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Do you think Dave Filoni could replace Kathleen Kennedy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.