Lucasfilm is in the midst of one of its biggest transformations in years. After 14 years at the helm, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president and returning to producing. Her successor... take two trusted advisors: Dave Filoni as President and Chief Creative Officer, supported by Lynwen Brennan as Co-President.
Kennedy leaves – Filoni takes over creative direction
Kathleen Kennedy led Lucasfilm through its acquisition by Disney in 2012. Under her leadership, the Skywalker Saga sequels were produced. Rogue One and the Star Wars series universe like The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi and AhsokaHer influence on the franchise generated billions in revenue and a new generation of fans. Now Kennedy wants to return to full-time production, including the upcoming movies. The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) and Star Wars: Starfighter (2027)
Dave Filoni, on the other hand, is no stranger to Star Wars gamers. He shaped the animated universe (The Clone Wars, Rebellious) and brought the live-action series with Jon Favreau The Mandalorian into television. As a creative mind at Lucasfilm, Filoni is known for consistently thinking about stories across all media – from series to comics and games.
Impact on Star Wars games
The Filoni era could mean a lot for gamers. Under Kennedy, Star Wars games were sometimes heavily tied to movie storylines or developed by external studios, often with mixed results. Filoni, on the other hand, has a knack for consistent universes and deep storytelling elements. This suggests that future games will be more deeply embedded in the narrative world of series like... Ahsoka or The Mandalorian could be integrated.
Fans can therefore look forward to games that are not only technically impressive, but also respect the continuity of the saga in terms of content. Currently in development are Star Wars Jedi 3, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Galactic Racer and Star Wars: Eclipse at Quantic Dream.
Furthermore, Brennan, as co-president, will strengthen the operational side. This will allow technological innovations and strategy to be incorporated more quickly into game development, for example in multiplayer titles or next-gen projects that utilize ray tracing, AI-controlled opponents, or complex story missions.
Kennedy's departure marks the end of an era; Filoni and Brennan represent continuity and fresh ideas. Players should expect a much closer interplay between series, films, and games, especially in story-driven titles. This could allow the franchise to grow back into a cohesive whole, rather than fragmented spin-offs. Critics and fans will be watching closely to see if Filoni can maintain the balance between fan service, story depth, and gameplay.
