Lucasfilm's business is being reshaped from the top down, and the consequences are already visible in its theatrical pipeline. Here's a full breakdown of what has changed, what's in jeopardy, and what's reportedly still moving forward.
The Leadership Change
Speculation about Kathleen Kennedy's future at Lucasfilm built steadily over the years and came to a head in 2025. Kennedy addressed it publicly that February in an interview with Deadline, framing any changes as long-term succession planning rather than a departure. “What's happening at Lucasfilm is I have been talking for quite some time with both Bob [Iger, former Disney CEO] and Alan [Bergman, Disney Entertainment] about what eventual succession might look like,” she said. “We have an amazing bench of people here, and we have every intention of making an announcement months or a year down the road.” She also said she had no intention of leaving filmmaking, telling the outlet she planned to “die” making movies.
That framing shifted this year, when Lucasfilm confirmed Kennedy's exit from the presidency. The studio has since moved to a co-leadership model, with Dave Filoni taking over creative direction and Lynwen Brennan assuming control of the business side.
The Projects Currently in Question
The leadership shake-up coincides with instability across several announced Star Wars film projects:
- The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026): Directed by Jon Favreau, this was Lucasfilm's first theatrical release in nearly seven years. Its box-office performance fell short of expectations, a point Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro raised on the company's most recent quarterly earnings call.
- Star Wars: Starfighter (2027): Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, this remains on the calendar for a May 2027 release.
- “Dawn of the Jedi”: James Mangold's project has no confirmed release timeline and remains in development limbo.
- Mando-Verse crossover film: Reportedly in question following The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s underperformance, with some reporting suggesting the project could be scrapped altogether — complicated further by Filoni's new position as Lucasfilm co-head.
The Project Reportedly Taking Priority
Simon Kinberg's post-Rise of Skywalker trilogy has been positioned as Lucasfilm's central focus moving forward. Kennedy described its progress in 2024: “We're absolutely rolling fast and furiously,” she said. “That has gone exceptionally well, and he's literally going to script as we speak. We'll see something probably around June.” She added that the project represents a departure from prior Star Wars films: “This is the next iteration, the new saga that moves us into the future,” indicating the trilogy will largely feature new characters rather than continuing the Skywalker Saga.
Kennedy provided a more recent update in her exit interview with Deadline, published at the start of this year: “He's working right now. He wrote something that we read in August, and it was very good, but not there. We've pretty much upended the story, and then spent a great deal of time on the treatment, which he finished literally about four weeks ago. And it's a very detailed treatment, like 70 pages. And so he is expected to give us something in [March 2026].”
Where That Leaves Daisy Ridley's Rey Project
Kennedy's interview notably did not address the planned “New Jedi Order” film starring Daisy Ridley, a silence that has prompted speculation about the project's standing. According to reports from industry tracker Daniel Richtman, Ridley's Rey is expected to remain part of the broader story but may not lead her own standalone film — suggesting the project could be merged into Kinberg's trilogy. That theory was reinforced when Disney reassigned Star Wars‘ previously held December 2026 release date to 20th Century Studios' Ice Age 6 (now shifted to February 2027).
The Latest Sign of Movement
After a period with little public update, Kinberg was seen this week at Skywalker Ranch. He shared a social media post featuring Lake Ewok, the manmade lake on the property, though neither he nor Lucasfilm elaborated further. The appearance is being read as evidence that development on the trilogy continues, even without formal confirmation.
What's Next
With Kinberg's trilogy emerging as Lucasfilm's priority project and new co-leadership in place, the studio's creative direction appears to be entering a new phase. Whether that shift will be formally addressed remains uncertain, with industry attention turning to this weekend's Entertainment Showcase at D23 Expo in Anaheim, where Lucasfilm's plans — if any are announced — could offer the clearest signal yet of where the franchise is headed.
What do you think Simon Kinberg's trilogy will involve? Let us know in the comments down below!
