Kennedy, a titan of Hollywood known for her work on blockbusters like Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, inherited the daunting task of succeeding Star Wars creator George Lucas himself. Recounting her initial conversation with Lucas, she shared his minimalist guidance: when asked for storytelling direction, he simply pointed to his head, stating, “No, no, it’s all here.” Kennedy took this as a challenge to “mine that” vast imaginative landscape.
Her time at Lucasfilm, which began in 2012 just ahead of Disney’s $4.05 billion acquisition, was marked by significant achievements. Kennedy proudly cited the successful relaunch of the film franchise with 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the acclaimed Disney+ series Andor and The Mandalorian as her proudest accomplishments. However, her leadership also navigated the often-turbulent waters of fan expectations, with projects like The Acolyte drawing criticism while others like Andor garnered widespread praise.
Addressing the delicate balance of satisfying a passionate fanbase while innovating, Kennedy acknowledged the inherent difficulty. “The challenge is to try to create something new, something original. So finding that balance is really the toughest thing,” she remarked. She maintained the importance of listening to fans without allowing it to become a “referendum,” advocating for artists with clear visions for stories within the Star Wars galaxy.
Kennedy also touched upon the difficult decisions made during her tenure, including the high-profile removal of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller from Solo in 2017 due to creative differences. She characterized such interventions as rare, stating, “Well, that really only happened once, thank god.” The Hollywood Reporter previously noted a similar situation with director Gareth Edwards during Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, where Tony Gilroy was brought in to assist.
Looking ahead, Kennedy is transitioning back to independent producing with her husband, veteran filmmaker Frank Marshall. Her connection to the Star Wars universe won't be entirely severed, as she's set to produce the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter movie starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy. Lucasfilm, meanwhile, is now under the leadership of longtime Star Wars creative Dave Filoni and executive Lynwen Brennan.
Beyond her personal career shift, Kennedy voiced concerns about the broader industry landscape. She expressed apprehension regarding potential studio mergers, specifically mentioning Paramount/Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, fearing a future with fewer movies and content being produced. The increasing integration of AI into Hollywood workflow also occupies her thoughts, as she actively seeks to understand its implications. After years in the “Star Wars bubble,” Kennedy is also focused on reconnecting with industry colleagues and absorbing the rapid changes shaping entertainment’s future.