The return of Bob Iger as the new CEO of Disney could mean profound changes in the company. One of the most recent rumors is that Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm and responsible for the entire universe Star WarsI would leave the company. John Campea, journalist and youtuber specializing in film, he shared on his show that Kennedy would become one of the first major casualties in the new administration.
Despite the fact that Bob Iger is an important ally of Kathleen Kennedy, rumors about the departure of the president of Lucasfilm have gained strength. Campea shared that two sources told her that Disney had already made the decision to fire her. If confirmed, Kennedy would leave the company in the days close to the premiere of Indiana Jones 5which will land in theaters on June 30, 2023.
Though the information is in rumor quality and Campea was cautious in saying that he cannot confirm it, one of the sources told him that he was “1000 percent sure it would happen“. The former editor of AMC Movie News Y Collider He mentioned that both sources are well connected within the movie industry, although one of them is not entirely convinced that it will happen.
Currently, Kathleen Kennedy’s contract expires in 2025 and it is rumored that it will be her last period. Details about an early departure come after Disney fired Bob Chapek and brought back Bob Iger. If confirmed, Kennedy would close a chapter of a decade in which he had several successes and one or another setback.
Kathleen Kennedy and her influence on the era Star Wars
Kathleen Kennedy, who has had a brilliant career producing dozens of films including ET the alien, Jurassic Park Y War of the Worlds, He is one of Disney’s top executives. kennedy took over as president of Lucasfilm when George Lucas sold the rights to Star Wars to disney. Under his management, the franchise exploded with the arrival of new movies and exclusive series for Disney +.
After taking the reins of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy pulled the strings to begin work on a new trilogy of Star Wars. The premiere of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Directed by JJ Abrams, it was a love letter to fans of the original films and was a box office success.
Although the closing of the saga came less with the last jedi Y The Rise of Skywalker, Kathleen Kennedy had her first flop with Han Solo: A Star Wars Story. The movie didn’t live up to it. Rogue One and ended up burying the film of Obi Wan Kenobi, which years later became a series for Disney +. The poor collection caused Lucasfilm to forget about the cinema.
The last few years of Kathleen Kennedy at the helm of the franchise have been important when we consider the success of series like The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi either Andor. Audience response was a key factor for Disney to focus its efforts on the small screen. Similarly, Lucasfilm reactivated its video game division and has closed important agreements with EA and Ubisoft to exploit the saga on next-generation consoles.
creative differences: the label of Lucasfilm and Disney
While Kathleen Kennedy’s tenure at Lucasfilm can be considered successful, it is not without controversy. His management is distinguished by an excess of “creative differences” which caused the cancellation of many projects. The trilogy by David Benioff and DB Weiss, creators of Game of Thronesby Rian Johnsonthe last jedi) and the film Rogue Squadron directed by Patty Jenkins were left in the pipeline thanks to feuds with Disney and Lucasfilm executives.
A abrupt departure would be unfair to someone who filled Disney’s coffers thanks to Star Wars. Although the rumors have not been confirmed, at least Kennedy and company executives would plan a replacement for his eventual departure in 2025. If so, who will be able to take the reins of such a complicated franchise?