Rumor has it that Disney has fired Kathleen Kennedy from her position as Lucasfilm boss and Star Wars custodian, but should you take this new report with a grain of salt?
Kennedy is one of the most well-known producers in Hollywood, responsible for more than 50 sensational flicks in a career that spans more than four decades. She’s also the person responsible for much of what the Mouse House has churned out in the world of the galaxy far, far away since the franchise’s acquisition in 2012.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm developed the contentious and highly polarized sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker) and numerous other spinoffs in the forms of Rogue One and Solo. She’s also had some major successes along the way, like Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian, which kickstarted a little cinematic universe of its own on Disney Plus.
Most fans would be too quick to blame Kennedy for the brand’s shortcomings over the past couple of years, and there might be some merit to that argument given the fact that she is, indeed, the person spearheading all Star Wars ventures at Lucasfilm.
Now, amidst a period of tumultuous transition and uncertain plans, with numerous new Star Wars films going through development in a fog of ambiguity and media blackout, it’s been rumored that Kathleen Kennedy is getting the boot. But where does this rumor come from, and how seriously should you take it?
Has Disney really dismissed Kathleen Kennedy?
Neither the Mouse House nor Kathleen Kennedy herself, for that matter, has yet to react to this rumor, but both have the disastrous launch of Indiana Jones 5 to thank for it. After the movie failed to garner attention from critics and bombed at the box office, the scuttlebutt shifted its focus to Kennedy, with many seemingly suggesting that she and the company are parting ways.
Many outlets soon picked up on the conversation, and the Lucasfilm boss began trending on Twitter. Now, even prominent YouTube channels like Star Wars Theory are chiming in, with this one, in particular, claiming that a Lucasfilm insider has confirmed Kennedy is indeed no longer heading the studio.
Frankly, Star Wars Theory has never given its audience any reason to doubt the validity of its reports and video essays, but for the time being, you should definitely take this with a sprinkle of salt and a pinch of skepticism.
Until either a Disney or an official Lucasfilm representative comments on the rumors, we have no way of knowing whether Kathleen Kennedy is really leaving the directorial chair. We do know, however, that the exec’s extended contract (originally expired in 2021) is ending soon, so even without the rumors — and considering the failure of both Star Wars and Indiana Jones — Kennedy’s career prospects could be running on fumes.