The Curious Case of Kathleen Kennedy's Retirement

On this episode of Hyperspace Theories podcast, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester detour from our usual focus on fictional storytelling to discuss an instance of real-world events and surrounding narratives in the form of journalistic coverage of the upcoming retirement of Kathleen Kennedy from her current role as president of Lucasfilm. On February 24, 2025, experienced Hollywood journalist Matt Belloni at Puck reported that "Kathleen Kennedy has informed Disney, as well as friends and associates, that she will exit as Lucasfilm president by the end of the year, per three sources." Two of the three longstanding Hollywood trades, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, quickly corroborated the reported, followed soon after by articles considering potential replacements as Lucasfilm's leader. Then, on February 27, the other major trade, Deadline, ran an extended written interview with Kennedy. Although framed as a debunking of Belloni's reporting, its substance actually verified the fundamental accuracy of his information while presenting a narrative of Kennedy's aspirations to remain an important participant in Star Wars movies after her successors takes over. In addition to closely examining the wording of the reporting and the interview for their accurately interpreted meaning, we also consider the implications of these revelations for the future of Lucasfilm and cinematic storytelling in the Star Wars franchise in the years ahead. Media Articles: Matt Belloni, Kathleen Kennedy to Step Down at Lucasfilm (Puck; Feb. 24, 2025) Matt Belloni, What I'm Hearing: Oscars Politics, Zaz's Split Motive & More Kathy Kennedy (Puck; Feb. 28, 2025) Aaron Couch, Lucasfilm Boss Kathleen Kennedy Expected to Retire This Year (The Hollywood Reporter; Feb. 24, 2025) Rebecca Rubin & Brett Lang, 'Star Wars' Boss Kathleen Kennedy Planning to Exit Lucasfilm at the End of 2025 (Variety; Feb. 25, 2025) Borys Kit & James Hibberd, Disney's 'Star Wars' Succession Problem: Who Will Replace Kathleen Kennedy? (The Hollywood Reporter; Feb. 25, 2025) Brett Lang & Rebecca Rubin, Who Will Run 'Star Wars' After Kathleen Kennedy Leaves? One of Hollywood's Hottest — and Hardest — Jobs Opens Up (Variety; Feb. 25, 2025) Mike Fleming Jr., Kathleen Kennedy Speaks On Her Lucasfilm Plans — She Is Not Soon Retiring — & The Films That Will Keep Her In 'Star Wars' Orbit For Years To Come (Deadline; Feb. 27, 2025) Related Links: Ten Years of Hyperspace Theories (Oct. 2024) Dave Filoni Talks Writing AHSOKA and Guiding the Future of Star Wars Storytelling (June 2024) Hyperspace Theories: Starting 2024 with the Future of Star Wars (Jan. 2024) Now Filoni is the Master (Nov. 2023)