Kathleen Kennedy has been lobbying for an Honorary Oscar for Disney CEO Bob Iger, sparking controversy within the Academy due to potential conflicts of interest related to Disney's ownership of ABC, the Oscars' broadcast partner. While Iger's contributions to the industry are recognized, some members are wary of the optics amid ongoing negotiations with ABC and Kennedy's future at Lucasfilm remains uncertain.
Lucasfilm has announced that Simon Kinberg will direct a new Star Wars trilogy, marking a fresh chapter for the franchise beyond the Skywalker saga. Known for his work on X-Men and Deadpool, Kinberg will collaborate with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy to develop this new series, which will introduce new characters and storylines. This project is part of a broader expansion of the Star Wars universe, with several films and series in development, including a feature film about The Mandalorian set for 2026.
Lucasfilm is reportedly developing a new Star Wars trilogy, potentially Episodes 10-12, with Simon Kinberg as writer and producer alongside Kathleen Kennedy. While insiders suggest it will start a new saga, it will coexist with other Star Wars projects by directors like James Mangold and Taika Waititi. Kinberg has a history with Lucasfilm, having co-created Star Wars Rebels and consulted on The Force Awakens.
Simon Kinberg has signed a deal to write and produce a new Star Wars feature trilogy for Lucasfilm, aiming to launch a new saga with original characters and storylines, separate from the Skywalker Saga. Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy will also produce the trilogy. Kinberg, known for his work on Star Wars: Rebels and as a consultant on The Force Awakens, is a prominent figure in the genre, with experience in the X-Men and Star Trek franchises.
Lucasfilm is developing a new 'Star Wars' trilogy with Simon Kinberg, known for his work on the 'X-Men' films, set to write and produce alongside studio chief Kathleen Kennedy. This new series will introduce fresh characters following the conclusion of the 'Skywalker Saga' in 2019. While plot details are scarce, the trilogy is not expected to continue the original storyline. Kinberg's project is in early development, with no production timeline yet established.
Lucasfilm has signed Simon Kinberg to write and produce a new Star Wars trilogy, which will not continue the Skywalker Saga but instead start a new storyline. Kinberg, known for his work on Star Wars Rebels and various other franchises, will collaborate with Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy. This project will join other Star Wars ventures by directors like James Mangold and Taika Waititi. Lucasfilm and Disney have not commented on the specifics of the new trilogy.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy highlights the struggles women face in the Star Wars franchise due to a male-dominated fanbase, emphasizing the importance of representation. The Acolyte, led by Leslye Headland, will be the first Star Wars TV show created by a woman, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct the first Star Wars film by a woman, focusing on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order. Despite challenges, Headland and Obaid-Chinoy express their dedication and honor in contributing to the iconic series.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy addressed the online harassment faced by women in the Star Wars franchise, highlighting the toxic behavior from a male-dominated fan base. The upcoming series "The Acolyte," led by showrunner Leslye Headland, has already faced backlash for its diverse and female-centric cast. Kennedy supports inclusive storytelling and condemns bigotry within the fandom. "The Acolyte" premieres on Disney+ on June 4.
Steven Spielberg has revealed that he considers Schindler's List to be the best movie he's ever made, expressing pride in the film's impact and success. He also shared an anecdote about George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy helping with the sound mixing for Jurassic Park while he was filming Schindler's List in Europe.
Dave Filoni, a longtime force in the Star Wars universe, has been appointed as the chief creative officer at Lucasfilm. In his new role, Filoni will be involved in the early development of Star Wars projects, working closely with Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy and head of development Carrie Beck. This move comes as Star Wars is facing challenges in getting films off the ground, despite its success on the small screen. Filoni, known for his work on projects like The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, is developing a live-action feature that will bridge the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Many see him as the heir apparent to Star Wars creator George Lucas.
Entertainment analyst Andre Einherjar criticized South Park for not targeting Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios in their recent episode lampooning Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm. Einherjar argued that going after Kennedy now is too late and that the focus should have been on Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger, who he believes are equally responsible for the decline of both Lucasfilm and Marvel. Despite this criticism, Einherjar praised South Park for exposing the negative impact of Disney's ideology and social messaging on shareholder value.
In the latest South Park special, "Joining the Panderverse," Eric Cartman's fear of being replaced by diverse women leads him to direct his anger towards Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. Cartman theorizes that his nightmares are glimpses into an alternate universe, and when a portal opens, he swaps places with a Black-female version of himself. The cause of this rift is the Pander Stone, an A.I. technology that allows Disney to pander to more audiences. A twisted version of Kennedy emerges from the portal, only capable of giving one note: "Put a chick in it and make it lame and gay!" Meanwhile, Randy's reliance on A.I. and phones leads him to call a handyman to fix a broken oven door, sparking a town-wide frustration with their lack of practical skills. In the end, Cartman and Kennedy reconcile, reopening the portal and returning everyone to their proper reality. The special concludes with a glimpse into another universe, hinting at future appearances of the handymen Randy collected.
Rumors are circulating that Lucasfilm has fired Kathleen Kennedy, the president of LucasFilms, following a string of disappointing film releases. Kennedy, who has overseen the production of several Star Wars films, has faced criticism from fans who believe her creative vision has harmed the franchise. While there is no official confirmation of her firing, the rumors have gained traction on social media, prompting speculation about the future of Lucasfilm under new leadership.
Rumors have been circulating in the Star Wars community that Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, has been fired by Disney. Kennedy, who has been a controversial figure among fans due to her handling of the Star Wars franchise, has faced criticism for the treatment of legacy characters and her perceived "woke" approach. While there have been rumors and speculation about her departure, there is no official confirmation, and it is unclear if these rumors hold any validity. Kennedy's contract technically expired in 2021 but was extended for three years. The recent box office failure of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has added fuel to the rumors, but it is uncertain if Kennedy's position is in jeopardy.
Despite speculation about her future, Kathleen Kennedy is still the president of Lucasfilm. While the underperformance of Indiana Jones 5 may have raised concerns, there has been no official announcement of her firing. Kennedy has been responsible for producing various Star Wars films, but the reception of new projects has been mixed. The box office results of Indiana Jones 5 will likely play a role in determining Kennedy's future at Lucasfilm.