Written By Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Disney will renew Kathleen Kennedy‘s contract as Lucasfilm president at the end of October.
Sources indicate there were never any discussions to fire Kathleen Kennedy despite rampant online speculation and rumors.
Admittedly, Kathleen Kennedy’s years at Lucasfilm generated controversy within certain segments of Star Wars fandom.
While 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens became the biggest domestic box-office smash of all time, earning $936.7 million, the sequels delivered diminishing returns.
Nevertheless, 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker each earned over $1 billion global.
One insider argued that the Original Trilogy’s sequels, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back and 1983’s Return of the Jedi, couldn’t top 1977’s initial Star Wars, either.
A number of vocal fans, however, slashed and burned creative decisions in The Last Jedi and Rise of Skywalker.
Image: Lucasfilm, Disney
A source explained:
It’s not like Kathleen wrote or directed any of those films. In Disney’s minds, they brought in billions to their bank accounts.
After all, even 2016’s Rogue One raked in above $1 billion globally.
Moreover, Disney credited Kathleen Kennedy for the huge success of The Mandalorian series on Disney Plus.
In fact, The Mandalorian invigorated the popularity of Star Wars.
It created several spin-offs like The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka.
The source acknowledged:
Disney doesn’t want to lose Kathleen.
By 2o2o, the movies she produced had made over $7.5 billion in the U.S.
In fact, she’s only behind Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige and legendary director Steven Spielberg in that regard.
Disney Expected To Extend Kathleen Kennedy As Lucasfilm President
Image: Lucasfilm, Disney
Disney was impressed at Kathleen Kennedy’s ability to help make Star Wars a more diverse, inclusive franchise.
Bob Iger, executive chairman of Disney, and Bob Chapek, his successor as CEO, are supportive of Kathleen Kennedy as Lucasfilm president.
Disney previously extended her contract for another three years in 2018; that expires on October 31.
According to another insider:
Kathleen Kennedy won’t be Lucasfilm president at this point only if she decides to retire. Disney strongly believes she will continue guiding Star Wars to greater heights.
In addition:
She will have the power she’s always had.
I discussed this live on Matt Jarbo’s 3 Buck Theater YouTube channel.
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