Kathleen Kennedy will take over LucasFilm from George Lucas
"I've spent my life building Lucasfilm, and as I shift my focus into other directions I wanted to make sure it was in the hands of someone equipped to carry my vision into the future. It was important that my successor not only be someone with great creative passion and proven leadership abilities, but also someone who loves movies."
The 58-year-old Kathleen Kennedy has served as producer alongside both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg on such blockbusters as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Goonies, Back to The Future, Schindler's List, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and War Horse, just to name a few. Here's what Steven Spielberg had to say about the announcement.
"Kathy has been a member of both of our families going into a fourth decade so it does not feel like she is going to another galaxy far, far away. She will get just as much support from me with Lucasfilm as George has given both of us all these years."
Kathleen Kennedy will oversee LucasFilm, the special effects house Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound, the video game arm LucasArts, and an animation unit which produces the TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
While Lucasfilm doesn't currently have any live-action feature films in production, Kathleen Kennedy will continue to oversee the 3D conversion of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones all the way through Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. There is also an untitled animated movie in the works, of which no details have been revealed. And Star Wars Detours, the live action television series based on the popular franchise, is still moving forward. On the video game front, LucasArts, which hasn't released a game in two years, also revealed plans for the video game Star Wars 1313, which is set in the criminal underground of George Lucas' sprawling universe.
Here's what Kathleen Kennedy had to say about taking over for the legendary filmmaker.
"I thought it was an incredible opportunity for George to ask me to step into what has become such an incredible legacy that he has created over the years. George and I have not had time to sit down and focus on the specifics. I'm certainly fortunate that he's not going anywhere."
The new executive will commute between Los Angeles and LucasFilm's San Francisco headquarters. She is also relinquishing her share in Kennedy/Marshall Productions. Her partner and husband, Frank Marshall, will take on her responsibilites.
Comments (11)
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slysnide
Excellent replacement. I'm sure she'll tap the potential Lucas hasn't touched.
12 months agoby @slysnideFlag
Michael Kolesik
Good. I'm glad George Lucas is gone. Now hopefully we'll have somebody who actually gives a s**t about the Star Wars lore and stop letting 3rd party douchebags go through the lore with an axe.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars The Old Republic MMO, anyone?
As long as Star Wars The Clone Wars exists to butcher the story of the original Mandalore, George Lucas will be forever proven to not give a s**t about his own work.
George Lucas stopped caring about his own creation years ago. He only cares about money now. I won't miss him.
Hopefully this new lady will stop the butchering.
(Now go ahead and crucify me, everyone. I'm prepared for your rebuttals.)
12 months agoby @Michael-KolesikFlag
Aaron Tily
Very shocking news. I do have faith in Kennedy though. She is a great producer and has been part of so many good films and is a good friend of both Steven and George so she has the visions that George and Steven both have.
I have high hopes for her and am pleased that George gave the role over to someone he knows as someone else could of just made the entire company go bankrupt or even worse...
12 months agoby @Aaron-TilyFlag
renodc
Would have liked to have seen them go younger but wisdom and experience is probably a safer move.
12 months agoby @renodcFlag
the MovieGhost
Um... yay? Can someone enlighten me on how good this is?
12 months agoby @the-movieghostFlag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
@incmob Who knows, she might convince him. You know women
12 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Avian
I hope she does well. I have faith.
12 months agoby @avian005Flag
incmob
just remember guys... this only means she will run it, not have the rights to the star wars galaxy, so i am sure we still cant count on an original trilogy release on blu ray and a knights of the old republic tv show. but congrats to KK and truly is a great honor for her.
12 months agoby @incmobFlag
ZanyZap
Skywalker Ranch will not be run by a woman! Not while I'm President of the Galaxy!
12 months agoby @zanyzapFlag
Daveactor7
this woman is truly amazing-even producing E.T. and many of Spielberg's masterpieces. Great for her =D
12 months agoby @daveactor7Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
Well, ok. It truly is an opportunity.
12 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag