As she steps down after 14 years as Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy shared key updates on several upcoming Star Wars movies in an exit interview. She highlighted progress on projects from directors like Simon Kinberg and Taika Waititi, while noting some are on hold. Kennedy's departure paves the way for co-presidents Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan to lead the franchise forward.
Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for 14 years, officially departed on January 16, 2026, handing over to co-presidents Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. Filoni will oversee the creative and production aspects, aiming to revive the film slate dormant since 2019's Rise of Skywalker. In an exit interview with Deadline, Kennedy provided detailed status updates on six upcoming Star Wars movies beyond the confirmed The Mandalorian & Grogu, set for May 22, 2026, and Shawn Levy's Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling.
Kennedy confirmed Simon Kinberg's new trilogy as a priority. Hired in November 2024, Kinberg delivered a script in August 2025 that was "very good, but not there," leading to a story overhaul. He recently completed a 70-page treatment, with a new script expected in March 2026. "Dave and Lynwen are very much on board," Kennedy said, positioning it as the next major production post-Starfighter and The Mandalorian & Grogu, potentially extending into 2030.
Taika Waititi has turned in a script Kennedy described as "hilarious and great." Donald Glover submitted a script for his Lando spin-off from Solo: A Star Wars Story, which Kennedy attributed to poor timing for recasting Han Solo: "We did it too soon."
James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi, scripted with Beau Willimon, is "incredible" but on hold for breaking the mold. The Hunt for Ben Solo, with a script by Steve Soderbergh, Adam Driver, and Scott Burns, remains on the backburner but not cancelled. Kennedy emphasized boldness: "You have to be bold and willing to take risks... companies are so risk-averse."
Rian Johnson's trilogy is stalled; Kennedy praised The Last Jedi as one of the best but noted Johnson was "spooked by the online negativity" and focused on Knives Out. A Rey-centered film, once planned, appears to have evaporated. Lucasfilm has filmed two movies in two years without drama, signaling stability under new leadership.
