No matter what Kathleen Kennedy does, some Star Wars fans will never be happy with her. Objectively speaking, the franchise has enjoyed a great many successes ever since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012 and appointed Kennedy as president. Regardless, there’s still a (very) vocal contingent of fans that hasn’t been happy with the studio’s direction under her leadership. Fans have also closely followed the rumors that The Mandalorian’s Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni might take over from Kennedy and guide all future Star Wars endeavors. Regardless, Disney CEO Bob Chapek says that there are no plans to sever ties with Kennedy anytime soon.
Via Collider, Chapek addressed rumors about Kennedy’s relationship with Disney during a call with shareholders, and the haters will be dismayed to learn that she’s sticking around for the long haul.
“We’ve been absolutely thrilled that we can have the kind of talent like Kathy Kennedy to direct Lucasfilm. We look forward to having Kathleen Kennedy running the Lucasfilm organization for many years to come,” said Chapek.
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Much of the backlash against Kennedy has stemmed from the polarized response to the Star Wars sequel trilogy. However, there have also been a few behind-the-scenes stories about Kennedy’s clashes with filmmakers on various productions. Admittedly, they haven’t inspired a great deal of confidence. One of the more high-profile incidents that comes to mind is Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s departure from Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Despite setbacks, the Star Wars brand is moving forward with several new projects on the horizon. Kennedy herself appeared during Disney’s Investor Day event to share what Lucasfilm has planned. On the small screen alone, fans can expect new series including Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Acolyte, Andor, Ahsoka, and Rangers of the New Republic. The studio is also planning Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, a new movie directed by Patty Jenkins.
What are your thoughts on Kathleen Kennedy remaining at Lucasfilm? Let us know in the comments down below!
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