Star Wars Power Shift: Dave Filoni or Carrie Beck Poised to Replace Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm!

A new report from The Hollywood Reporter suggests that Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck are the leading internal candidates to succeed Kathleen Kennedy as co-presidents of Lucasfilm. While nothing is official yet, this update adds momentum to ongoing speculation about Lucasfilm’s future leadership. Kennedy, who has led the company since 2012, is expected to step down by the end of 2025 or early 2026, though she may stay on as a producer for upcoming Star Wars projects—such as the new trilogy from Simon Kinberg.

Filoni, currently serving as Lucasfilm’s Chief Creative Officer, was previously floated as a top contender in a February Hollywood Reporter story. However, that report also hinted he would likely share the leadership role. Beck, the studio’s head of development, emerged as a strong potential co-leader, particularly after her promotion in late 2023. Her long-running creative partnership with Filoni includes executive-producing both animated and live-action series, including Ahsoka and multiple entries in the MandoVerse.

Despite earlier rumors of an August departure, Kennedy has downplayed the timing of her exit, stating in February that it was still “months or a year down the road.” With Lucasfilm ramping up for production on Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Reynolds, it’s likely Kennedy will remain through at least the fall to help oversee the transition.

While an external candidate has not been ruled out, current signs point to a smooth internal handoff, with Filoni and Beck positioned to carry forward the creative and strategic vision of Star Wars into its next era. Lucasfilm has not yet commented on the report.