While it’s certainly fair to say that she hasn’t endeared herself to all sections of the fanbase following her appointment as George Lucas’ successor at Lucasfilm, it seems that Kathleen Kennedy is set to remain in control of the galaxy far, far away for the foreseeable future.
Following on from fresh claims of creative differences with filmmakers (this time Wonder Woman helmer Patty Jenkins on Star Wars: Rogue Squadron) and constant rumour and speculation about time as Lucasfilm President is drawing to an end, it is being reported that Disney has recently renewed Kennedy’s contract, which will run through to 2024.
Kennedy was appointed head of Lucasfilm following the sale to Disney in 2012, and has overseen the development of the Sequel Trilogy and two Anthology spinoff movies, to mixed box office success and reception, as well as the Saga’s transition into live-action TV with The Mandalorian.
However, Kennedy has also come in for heavy criticism from some sections of the Star Wars fanbase, particularly with regards to Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, while the list of filmmakers who’ve run afoul of her including Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The LEGO Movie), Josh Trank (Fantastic), Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World), and David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones).
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With her contract renewal, Kennedy’s reign will take in the next big screen offering from the Star Wars saga (which, at this point, remains Rogue Squadron… for now), along with the next season of The Mandalorian and a slate of Disney+ shows that includes The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, Lando and The Acolyte.
In addition to those Star Wars projects, there’s also the Willow series for Disney+ and Harrison Ford’s Indy return in Indiana Jones 5 (although don’t be surprised if that’s onto its seventh or eighth delay by 2024).
