Kathleen Kennedy to Retire; Filoni Rumored Successor

Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, plans to retire by the end of 2025 after a controversial tenure overseeing major franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Under Kennedy's leadership, Star Wars was relaunched with 'The Force Awakens' in 2015, which was a box office success, but subsequent films garnered mixed reviews, with 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' notably underperforming. Her tenure also saw a pivot towards streaming success with 'The Mandalorian' on Disney+. Despite her achievements, Kennedy faced criticism for alleged mismanagement and a perceived 'woke' agenda, with figures like Elon Musk vocalizing disapproval. Speculation suggests Dave Filoni might succeed her, though no official confirmation has been made. Her departure signals potential shifts in the strategic direction of Lucasfilm as it navigates challenges and opportunities in continuing these iconic franchises.