Lucasfilm to Replace Kathleen Kennedy with Filoni and Beck as Co-Heads

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As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, it’s anticipated that Lucasfilm will opt for internal promotions, with Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck being tipped to take over from Kathleen Kennedy in a joint leadership position. This potential shift could signify the conclusion of Kennedy’s challenging tenure spanning over a decade at the helm of the Star Wars franchise, as Disney aims to rectify years of unpredictable outcomes.

Instead of persistent rumors about external contenders such as Emma Watts, a former executive at 20th Century Fox, the report suggests that the prevailing thought within Lucasfilm is for Filoni and Beck to share the co-head positions. According to sources quoted by THR, the plan is to hand over leadership to seasoned veterans deeply rooted in the franchise’s heritage, as opposed to introducing a fresh, external perspective.

THR noted that Lucasfilm, in numerous aspects, maintains a familial atmosphere. Being a protege of George Lucas, Filoni has always been regarded as a star pupil or rising talent within the company.

Filoni, who is now the Chief Creative Officer, gained recognition under George Lucas’s guidance during the production of the animated series “The Clone Wars“. Since then, he has established himself as a significant creative influence at Lucasfilm, with contributions to shows like “Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka“, and other series that debuted on streaming platforms.

As a devoted follower of Filoni’s animation prowess, I was elated when he took on a more substantial position at Lucasfilm. However, the faltering progress of projects under his watch as the Chief Creative Officer has left me and others questioning his capabilities.

Under Filoni’s leadership as Creative Chief Officer, Star Wars has experienced some critical and commercial flops such as “The Acolyte”, which was already in production before Filoni took charge but was approved by him for scripts; “Skeleton Crew”, “Tales of The Empire”, and “Tales of the Underworld”.

Filoni’s live-action Ahsoka series and the third season of The Mandalorian, both released prior to his promotion to Chief Creative Officer, faced criticism and disapproval from fans and independent reviewers.

In contrast to Andor, which has been Lucasfilm’s primary critical hit in recent times, was overseen by Filoni. However, according to inside sources, the showrunner Tony Gilroy was granted significant creative autonomy and collaborated directly with Kennedy, circumventing Filoni’s leadership.

Carrie Beck, who serves as Executive Vice President for Live Action Development & Production currently, has been an integral part of almost every significant ‘Star Wars’ project over the past ten years. Her work extends to shows such as ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘The Book of Boba Fett’, ‘Ahsoka’, and the Emmy-nominated finale of ‘Clone Wars’. Additionally, she contributed substantially to the planning process of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney Parks.

Although Filoni and Beck are both well-regarded within the company, neither of them possesses a wealth of experience in creating full-length films. This lack of expertise might be alleviated by Kennedy continuing as a producer for specific projects during a transitional phase. As reported by THR, this arrangement would provide “temporary quality assurance.

The possible shift comes at a time when Lucasfilm is under growing pressure.

Following a series of successful films at the box office during Kennedy’s tenure (but with earnings decreasing gradually), movies like The Force Awakens and Rogue One were released, yet the studio has found it challenging to sustain its cinematic pace. The film Solo: A Star Wars Story experienced a major drop in earnings in 2018, marking the first time a Star Wars theatrical release failed financially. Since then, most planned releases have been postponed, scrapped, or quietly put on hold. Upcoming projects from Kevin Feige, Patty Jenkins, and Rian Johnson have all been taken off Disney’s schedule of releases.

The transition to streaming platforms has yielded a mix of successes and setbacks. For instance, “The Mandalorian” was warmly received by critics and played a significant role in the launch of Disney+. However, subsequent series have experienced decreasing viewership and growing fan criticism. Shows like “The Book of Boba Fett,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Ahsoka” struggled to keep up with the initial momentum, while “The Acolyte” became one of the most divisive entries in the franchise’s history before being axed after just one season.

Several experts from different sectors have raised doubts about Disney’s overall Star Wars strategy, pointing out that the brand, which was once a top-tier entertainment asset, hasn’t had a theatrical release in more than five years. This dry spell will persist until 2026, when the films The Mandalorian and Grogu are set to be released.

According to reports from THR today, it was mentioned months ago by me and no one else, it appears that Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck could potentially take over from Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm in the near future. I anticipate an official announcement about this change will be made later on this year.

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) June 4, 2025

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly following the buzz around the potential new leadership in the industry. Jeff Sneider, the insightful insider, has been suggesting for quite some time now that Filoni and Beck are being prepared to take on these roles. He hints that an official announcement could be made as soon as this year.

Currently, Kennedy continues in her role, and Disney hasn’t announced any adjustments yet. However, with the company grappling with questions regarding its future and the worth of its major franchise pillars, it seems that Lucasfilm is actively reorganizing internally.

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2025-06-04 22:56