(Left) ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’s Dave Filoni at Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th Anniversary at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Chiba, Japan. Photo by Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney. (Right) President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Preview:
Kathleen Kennedy is officially stepping down as president of Lucasfilm.
Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan will become co-presidents.
The next ‘Star Wars’ movie, ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu,’ is due in May.
There is big news coming from Lucasfilm, the company that produces the ‘Star Wars’ movies and TV shows.
After plenty of speculation across the last year or so, company president Kathleen Kennedy, who has run it for 14 years, has confirmed she’ll step down.
The new President/Chief Creative Officer is ‘The Mandalorian’ co-creator Dave Filoni, who has been Lucasfilm EVP and Chief Creative Officer. Serving as Lucasfilm’s new Co-President is Lynwen Brennan, the longtime President & GM of Lucasfilm Business.
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Filoni, of course, has long been involved with ‘Star Wars,’ having been recruited by Lucas to work on animated adventures, but earning his stripes working alongside Jon Favreau on the expanding small-screen universe.
Kennedy, who turns 73 this year, is likely looking to work on projects that don’t generate the ire that more recent developments in ‘Star Wars’ fandom have (let’s be honest here –– Filoni and Brennan are unlikely to stop hearing from dissatisfied fans) and instead return to working more as a producer alongside husband and business partner Frank Marshall.
After all, she had a long-established career producing a variety of movies before Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 as co-chair alongside ‘Star Wars’ creator George Lucas.
Shortly after, Lucas exited his post as Disney acquired the company for $4 billion, and Kennedy was elevated to president.
Since then, she has steered the franchise ship through highs (the $2 billion success of ‘The Force Awakens,’ the small screen universe-building of ‘The Mandalorian’) and lows (‘Solo: A Star Wars Story,’ lesser-performing Disney+ series such as ‘The Acolyte’).
Who is Lynwen Brennan?
(L-R) Ron Howard, Lynwen Brennan, Phil Tippett, Rose Duignan, Joe Johnston and Dennis Muren attend the “Light & Magic” presentation at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 27, 2022. The ILM documentary series premieres exclusively on Disney+ July 27, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney).
Brennan joined Industrial Light & Magic in 1999, rising through the ranks to become ILM President in 2009 (including Skywalker Sound), Lucasfilm EVP/General Manager in 2015, and President & General Manager, Lucasfilm Business, in 2024.
She leads Lucasfilm’s business strategy and franchise and production operations and has overseen ILM’s expansion into several studios worldwide, establishing it as the industry’s preeminent VFX studio at the forefront of production technology.
The new join initiative sounds a lot like the DC Studios split in duties between James Gunn, who handles the creative side and Peter Safran, who tackles business issues.
What’s happening in the on-screen ‘Star Wars’ universe?
Big screen Mando spin-off ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is first among ‘Star Wars’ equals right now, having shot last year and now speeding through post-production for a release on May 22. That will be followed by Shawn Levy’s ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, which stars Ryan Gosling and is scheduled for May 28 next year.
Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film (though that might be on hold given the new gig unless he goes the Gunn route and keeps writing and directing projects), and there are a variety of others in different stages of development.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
(L to R) Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Disney+
Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and mercenary Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) must navigate the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.
A hundred years before the rise of the Empire, the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic have prospered for centuries without war. During this time, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jee) against a dangerous warrior (Amanda Stenberg) from his past.
Ahsoka Tano in ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi’. Photo: Disney+.
Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi from the prequel era – Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. Each will be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies.
During the reign of the Galactic Empire, former Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), embarks on a crucial mission to confront allies turned enemies and face the wrath of the Empire.
In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) will discover the difference he can make in the struggle against the tyrannical Galactic Empire. He embarks on a path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+. Photo: Lucasfilm.
After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy. A lone gunfighter (Pedro Pascal) makes his way through the outer reaches, earning his keep as a bounty hunter.
President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Preview:
Kathleen Kennedy will reportedly leave Lucasfilm this year.
She’s been the main guiding hand for Star Wars for more than a decade.
The news is, however, not official.
If this news pans out, we could, to paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi in ‘Star Wars,’ feel a great disturbance in the fandom force, as if millions (well, thousands) of voices that cried out in anger were suddenly silenced.
Because according to Puck, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy, who has been overseeing the galaxy far, far away on screens big and small, is reportedly ready to step down.
We’ll caution at this point, that the news is still within the realm of speculation, though the Puck article mentions that Kennedy has been doing plenty that suggests she’s ready to switch her focus away from leading Lucasfilm, including selling property in Malibu, near Los Angeles, and collecting a host of career awards.
(L-R) Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Deborah Chow, Kathleen Kennedy, President, Lucasfilm, Ewan McGregor, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Hayden Christensen attend the studio showcase panel at Star Wars Celebration for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” in Anaheim, California on May 26, 2022. The series streams exclusively on Disney+. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).
Kennedy, who turns 72 this year, is also likely looking to work on projects that don’t generate the ire that more recent developments in ‘Star Wars’ fandom have (let’s be honest here –– whoever takes over the job assuming she departs is unlikely to stop hearing from dissatisfied fans) and instead return to working more as a producer alongside husband and business partner Frank Marshall.
After all, she had a long-established career producing a variety of movies before Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 as co-chair alongside ‘Star Wars’ creator George Lucas.
Shortly after, Lucas exited his post as Disney acquired the company for $4 billion, and Kennedy was elevated to president.
We’ll have to wait for Kennedy to truly announce whether she’s leaving the company –– the Puck story makes mention of her looking to go last year, even going so far as to set up an exit interview with a journalist, before opting to stay longer.
Transitioning to someone else this year makes some sense since it’s a relatively quiet period for ‘Star Wars’ –– only ‘Andor’ season 2 and some shows for younger viewers are scheduled, and it won’t be back on the big screen until Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ in 2026.
As for who might succeed her? Dave Filoni surely seems like the logical person since he ascended to chief creative officer in 2023. But he may want to stay more closely involved with writing and directing projects himself and leave the business side to someone else.
‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is first among ‘Star Wars’ equals right now, having shot last year and now speeding through post-production for a release next year.
‘Mandalorian’ co-creator and fellow steward Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, and more recently, we learned that one with Shawn Levy in the director’s chair took a leap towards hyperspace thanks to Ryan Gosling entering talks to star.
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on that script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner.
The time period for the potential new offering is unknown, though it reportedly charts its own course and doesn’t feature anyone from the Skywalker saga, with the emphasis on this being a standalone adventure.
Then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.
(L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
While Filoni is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka.’
Here’s what he said about that:
“I’m so well into that as well… I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it, and so I’ve been enjoying doing that, but it’s a challenge, of course, and working some of these arcs through has been a challenge and making sure it’s all going to come out in a way that I think is exciting for fans. I know that they’re interested in where some of the things I developed in Season One. I’m pretty happy with it… Love working with Rosario [Dawson], so I can’t wait to get back to that.”
‘Andor’s second season, meanwhile, premieres on April 22nd, and it’ll be divided into four three-episode chapters.
Beyond those, there are several movies (and potential trilogies) which don’t seem to be moving forward and may have been scrapped altogether, including new potential movies from ‘The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson (who is busy with his ‘Knives Out’ movies and may not wish to dip back into the toxic stew of ‘Star Wars’ fandom after the divisive reaction to his first effort) and ‘Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins, who had a much-touted ‘Rogue Squadron’ story of rebel pilots that appears to have had trouble leaving the development hanger.
When will the next ‘Star Wars’ movie be in theaters?
So far, only ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ has a confirmed release date, that being May 22nd, 2026.
Disney and Lucasfilm do have an untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie on their release calendar for December 17th, 2027, though the companies have yet to reveal which of the developing projects will take that spot.
The series, set during ‘Star Wars’ High Republic era, was a mixed bag, critically.
In other ‘Star Wars’ news, Boba Fett may not show up in the ‘Mandalorian’ movie.
Bad news today for anyone who enjoyed the vengeful, High Republic storyline of ‘The Acolyte’.
The series, which aired its first season on Disney+ this past June and July, has not been renewed for a second, according to Deadline’s sources. Neither Disney nor Lucasfilm has made an official statement on the matter, but the companies generally tend to let underperforming shows quietly fade like a Jedi becoming a Force ghost.
While ‘The Acolyte’ received mixed-positive reviews from critics, it was the target of hate from certain toxic portions of the ‘Star Wars’ fandom and didn’t seem to gain the attention of the wider community that other series have.
Created by ‘Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland, ‘The Acolyte’ was set in a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.
It focused on Osha Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg), a former Jedi padawan-turned-engineer, who is unexpectedly reunited with the Jedi who was training her, Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae of ‘Squid Game’) when a mysterious assassin starts killing members of the Jedi order.
As it turns out –– spoiler alert for those who haven’t watched the show –– the killer is her twin sister Mae (also Stenberg), who is on a vengeful quest to track down the people responsible for her community’s destruction.
‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.
Despite the loss of ‘The Acolyte’, the wider ‘Star Wars’ universe is still thriving on big and small screens.
Fellow series ‘Ahsoka’ has already scored a second season, and the latest series set in that galaxy far, far away, the ‘Goonies’-alike ‘Skeleton Crew’, docks on Disney+ in December.
Darker, and more morally grey show ‘Andor’ will be back next year.
(L to R) Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Disney+
While ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ offers the chance for the TV characters to make their movie debut, it doesn’t appear everyone is along for the ride.
Spilling some Boba tea at a panel at Fan Expo Chicago at the weekend, actor Temuera Morrison indicated that bounty hunter Boba Fett seems unlikely to show up.
“I’m still waiting for a phone call to be quite honest. I think we’re just on the shelf for a little bit. Maybe we come off the shelf later.”
It’s perhaps not too surprising given that Mando spin-off series ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ failed to capture the public imagination (at least not until it effectively became ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2.5).
So, ‘The Acolyte’ has been cancelled. Perhaps Boba Fett is cancelled for now too…?
(L to R) Director James Cameron, Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington at D23 2024 presenting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo: Disney.
D23 2024 finished off its first day on Friday, August 9th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California with a presentation showcasing the upcoming Disney movies and TV shows.
The presentation included upcoming film and television projects from Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, and kicked off with Walt Disney Animation.
Bob Iger at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
But first, CEO of the Walt Disney Company Bob Iger took to the stage to address the arena full of fans. It was Iger’s first D23 in five years and he told the audience how much he missed them.
“There is nothing more that we love then surprising you and filling your heart with love. The world needs to be entertained more than ever before, and we take that seriously. We have a lot to be proud of and more to look forward to.”
Actress Ginnifer Goodwin took to the stage to show footage from her upcoming sequel, ‘Zootopia 2’. She also announced that Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan is joining the cast as a snake named Gary.
“Now, reptiles have a shady past, and Gary could send the crew on a whole new mission.”
‘Zootopia 2’ is scheduled for release on November 26, 2025.
Jennifer Lee presenting at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Next, CEO of Walt Disney Animation Studios Jennifer Lee announced that the long-awaited third installment of the ‘Frozen’ franchise will be release in 2027.
“Coming out of ‘Frozen II’ we still have some questions.”
She also revealed concept art from the new movie, which featured Elsa and Anna on horseback with Olaf riding along.
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Pixar Animation Studios
‘Dream Productions’
‘Dream Productions’. Photo: Disney.
CCO of Pixar Pete Doctor began by thanking the audience for their support of the box office hit ‘Inside Out 2’.
“I want to thank all of you for going to theaters and making ‘Inside Out 2’ the number one animated movie of all time.”
He also announced a new Disney+ series set in the world on ‘Inside Out’ called ‘Dream Productions’. The series is set between the original film and the sequel and Doctor screened footage for the audience.
Doctor also announced another Disney+ series called ‘Win or Lose‘, and the new movie ‘Hoppers’, which stars Bobby Moynihan and newly announced villain, Jon Hamm.
Next, Doctor introduced the fifth installment in the ‘Toy Story’ franchise and had this to say:
“We are excited for Jesse, Woody and what all the gang will do next.”
Doctor then introduced the director and writer of the movie, Pixar-regular Andrew Stanton. Stanton revealed that the villain of the new movie will be technology.
“Toys’ jobs are harder when the toys go up against what kids are obsessed with today, technology. This time around its toys vs. tech.”
(L to R) Zoe Saldaña and Yonas Kibreab at D23 2024 presenting ‘Elio’. Photo: Disney.
Zoe Saldaña was on hand to present her upcoming movie, ‘Elio’ and show footage from the film. The new movie follows an eleven-year-old boy named Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab) who accidentally becomes the intergalactic Ambassador of planet Earth after being beamed up to the Communiverse by aliens for making contact.
The actress had this to say about the movie:
“I felt a real connection to the character. It felt authentic. I can’t wait for you all to see it.”
‘Elio’ is scheduled for release on June 13th, 2025.
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‘Incredibles 3’
Pete Doctor presenting ‘Incredibles 3’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Finally, Doctor announced the long-awaited third installment of the ‘Incredibles’ franchise entitled ‘Incredibles 3’.
“Brad Bird is developing it now. We think the film is special and hope you enjoy it.”
Jude Law presenting ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Actor Jude Law presented the first trailer from the upcoming Disney+ series, which will be release this December. The series is told from the perspective of a group of kids who get lost in the vastness of space and are trying to find their way home.
Law addressed the fans and expressed his joy to be part of the project:
“I’m thrilled to share with you ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’. It means a great deal for me to be part of the ‘Star Wars’ family’.
You can watch the trailer below, which reveals Law’s character is a Jedi.
(L to R) Dave Filoni, Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm and Jon Favreau appears at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 09, 2024. Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney.
Director Jon Favreau and producer Dave Filoni surprised the crowd by presenting some exclusive footage from the upcoming feature film version of the Disney+ show. The footage featured the main characters on a new adventure, as well as ‘Star Wars’ familiars like At-Ats, snowtroopers and surprisingly, Babu Frick from the recent ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’.
Favreau had this to say about the movie:
“We are getting an opportunity to bring these characters to the big screen.”
Filoni added:
“We’re all excited to have ‘Star Wars’ back on the big screen.”
Favreau mentioned that they just started filming a few weeks ago. The movie is scheduled to release in 2026.
(L to R) Anthony Mackie and Kevin Feige presenting ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and actor Anthony Mackie presented footage from ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ but it was the same footage shown a few weeks ago at San Diego Comic-Con.
The footage included a meeting between President Ross (Harrison Ford) and Sam Wilson (Mackie), where Ross asks Wilson to form a new Avengers team. Another scene reveals that the Celestial left behind after the events of ‘Eternals’ is made of Adamantium, the same metal that made Wolverine’s claws. The footage also reveals Giancarlo Esposito’s villain Sidewinder and ends with Ford’s Ross becoming the Red Hulk on the White House lawn in front of the press.
Mackie had this to say about playing the iconic role:
‘The shield is very heavy. It’s an amazing honor.’
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ opens in theaters on February 14th, 2025.
With the film currently shooting, the cast was unable to appear but sent a video that features actor Joseph Quinn in his superhero costume.
Again, the footage shown was the same from Comic-Con, but features the Fantastic Car, the team in their astronaut suits, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) teaching a science class on television, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in Thing form on a dating show, and a final scene of villain Galactus (Ralph Ineson) looking in on the Baxter Building where H.E.R.B.I.E. is vacuuming the living room.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is scheduled for release on July 25th, 2025.
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‘Ironheart’
The cast of ‘Ironheart’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
“I have been having the best time playing Riri and I can’t wait for you to see the series”.
The footage reveals that Riri is expelled from MIT following the events of ‘Wakanda Forever’ and makes an uneasy alliance with Ramos’ villain, The Hood.
“We’re channeling the essence of the original series but forging a new path.”
The footage sees the return of the Punisher and Bullseye, our first look at the White Tiger, and a confrontation between Matt Murdock and the Kingpin that reveals he knows who the Daredevil really is.
The series will premiere on Disney+ March, 2025 and Cox revealed that they’ll begin shooting season 2 soon.
The group revealed the new trailer from the show, which you can watch below. The trailer shows Agatha trying to put her coven back together, and it also gives us our first glimpse of Audrey Plaza in the series.
‘Agatha All Along’ will premiere on Disney + September 18th.
(L to R) Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler presenting ‘Snow White’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Actresses Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot appeared to introduce the new trailer for the upcoming live-action remake, as well as screen an extended scene featuring the iconic ‘Whistle While You Work.’
Zegler said this about the making the movie:
“It’s been an honor of a lifetime. It’s been the most incredible experience, and I can’t wait to share it with you.”
Gadot added:
“It was lots of fun to do something different than I’ve ever done before. It was delicious and fun.”
The cast of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Award winning director Barry Jenkins was on hand to present the new trailer for the live action ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’, which is a prequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 movie. Jenkins announced that Lin-Manual Miranda will write the music, as well as the return of Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Pumbaa and Timon, respectively, who all appeared to greet the crowd.
You can watch the new trailer below, and the film is scheduled for release on December 20th.
Bridges, who starred in the original, had this to say about his return:
“I’m Just a small part of this”.
Lee explained that she plays Eve Kim, a programmer that helped create Ares, who’s now come into our world. The footage shows Leto’s Ares in the real world, and our first look at Bridges as Kevin Flynn.
Leto said this about his character’s motives:
“He’s a program looking to make the real world his, permanently”.
Finally, it was announced that Nine Inch Nails will provide the music for the movie, which will be released on October 10th, 2025.
(L to R) Director James Cameron, Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña at D23 2024 presenting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo: Disney.
Oscar-winning director James Cameron revealed that the official title of ‘Avatar 3’ is ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. He also brought actors Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña on to the stage before showing concept art from the upcoming film. However, Cameron told the crowd it was too early to show footage.
Cameron had this to say about the new movie:
“It’s an insane adventure, and feast for eyes, but has high stakes. There are new characters that you will love, and love to hate. You’ll see more of Pandora than you ever seen before. The new film is not what you expect but what you want.”
Worthington added:
“We have been hard at work getting it done.”
Saldaña finished by thanking the fans for their support:
“We want to personally thank you for your support.”
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is scheduled for release on December 19th, 2025.
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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Presented by Visa. Photo: The Walt Disney Company.
