Reviving ‘Star Wars’: The Quest for New Leadership

The impending change in leadership at Lucasfilm sees Kathleen Kennedy stepping down as president at the end of 2025, creating significant pressure for her successor to revitalize the “Star Wars” franchise, which has faced challenges in recent years.

“Star Wars” is a major cultural institution, and the next leader will need to navigate the scrutiny from fans and media. Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion, the franchise has not released a feature film in six years. This reflects a considerable hiatus in an era where cinematic output is crucial. The current financial outlook for the franchise shows that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” remains the highest-grossing film in domestic box office history, earning $936 million domestically and $2 billion globally. In contrast, the sequels—”The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker”—achieved about half of their predecessor’s box office totals. Additionally, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” marked the first instance of a “Star Wars” film losing money at the box office.

The next president of Lucasfilm will be tasked with not only maintaining strong relationships with filmmakers but also providing a cohesive vision that encompasses both movies and streaming content. The next planned theatrical release, set for 2026, is “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” a continuation of the popular Disney+ show.

Potential candidates for Kennedy’s replacement include Jon Favreau, known for overseeing “The Mandalorian,” Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm’s chief creative officer, as well as producers David Heyman, Mary Parent, and Peter Rice, who could contribute valuable experience and industry connections.

The new leader will need a rare combination of creative vision and business acumen, essential for navigating a franchise at a critical juncture. The successful candidate must ensure that “Star Wars” can strike a balance between maintaining quality and avoiding oversaturation, all while sustaining its legacy. This leadership transition also comes as the entertainment landscape shifts, with other major franchises like “Mission: Impossible” and “Harry Potter” facing their own struggles. 

Ultimately, drawing parallels to the bold risks taken by George Lucas during the original creation of “Star Wars,” the franchise may require similarly audacious creative directions to thrive in the future.

Source: VARIETY