Inside Disney's Biggest Decision: Favreau, Filoni, Feige or Someone Else?
When Kathleen Kennedy steps down as the head of Lucasfilm later this year, she will leave behind an impressive yet contentious legacy. Since George Lucas hand-picked Kennedy in 2012 to guide his empire forward under Disney’s ownership, she has overseen some of the franchise’s greatest triumphs—and notable failures.
From the massively successful return of Star Wars to theaters with "The Force Awakens," to the groundbreaking hit series "The Mandalorian," Kennedy has indisputably shaped Star Wars for an entirely new generation. However, her tenure has also been marred by controversy, fan backlash, creative misfires, and canceled projects, creating a deeply polarizing atmosphere surrounding the iconic brand.
As the veteran executive prepares for retirement, Disney faces an unprecedented challenge: finding the next visionary leader to carry the galaxy far, far away forward. Industry insiders have repeatedly noted the difficulty of this particular succession. Unlike typical executive positions, Lucasfilm’s presidency requires an elusive mix of creativity, commercial intuition, diplomatic finesse, and the ability to navigate one of pop culture’s most passionate and demanding fanbases.
Several names have been floated as potential successors, each with their own merits and drawbacks.
Jon Favreau: The Creative Innovator
Jon Favreau has an enviable track record, credited with successfully kicking off both the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2008’s "Iron Man" and the Star Wars streaming revolution with "The Mandalorian." Favreau understands fans, content quality, and commercial success. However, the Lucasfilm presidency is reportedly more managerial than creative, involving complex licensing negotiations, corporate diplomacy, and administrative leadership—responsibilities Favreau may not wish to shoulder, according to insiders familiar with his working style.
Dave Filoni: Lucas’ Apprentice and Fan Favorite
Dave Filoni, mentored personally by George Lucas, is a favorite among the hardcore fan community, beloved for his passion and deep lore knowledge. Rising through the ranks from his animated series "The Clone Wars" to live-action success with "The Mandalorian" and his directorial work on "Ahsoka," Filoni has established considerable creative credibility.
Yet, industry experts worry that the managerial and corporate duties inherent in the Lucasfilm presidency may overwhelm Filoni, potentially diluting his greatest strengths. Nevertheless, rumors suggest that Disney might announce Filoni as Kennedy’s successor at the upcoming Star Wars Celebration.
A Favreau-Filoni Duo: Could Two Be Better Than One?
Disney could theoretically leverage the strengths of both Favreau and Filoni through a dual leadership arrangement, similar to Warner Bros. Discovery pairing James Gunn’s creative vision with Peter Safran’s business acumen at DC Studios. Another possibility would be pairing either Favreau or Filoni with a seasoned executive capable of handling the heavy lifting of business operations, while leaving creative direction primarily in the hands of the filmmaker.
Kevin Feige: The Marvel Mastermind
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige stands out as perhaps the most capable choice on paper, possessing the rare combination of visionary creative instincts and corporate expertise. Feige’s track record with Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite recent setbacks, remains unparalleled. However, his responsibilities at Marvel Studios—particularly the challenging task of reviving fan enthusiasm and recalibrating the Marvel brand—would likely preclude him from taking on additional duties. Feige’s moment to helm Star Wars may have passed.
J.J. Abrams: The Franchise Veteran
Abrams revitalized Star Wars with "The Force Awakens" but also drew criticism with "The Rise of Skywalker." Despite considerable franchise experience, insiders suspect Abrams would avoid returning to the challenging and occasionally toxic Star Wars environment, preferring instead to chart his creative path elsewhere.
Emma Watts and Hannah Minghella: Experienced Studio Executives
Executives like Emma Watts and Hannah Minghella offer significant managerial expertise and franchise familiarity. Watts, the former president of production at 20th Century Fox, guided major franchise films like "X-Men" and "Avatar." Minghella, currently leading Netflix’s animation and live-action family divisions, has extensive experience with family-friendly blockbusters.
While these candidates might lack the deep Star Wars lore familiarity of Filoni or Favreau, they could bring crucial managerial prowess, helping Disney navigate the complex demands of the Lucasfilm presidency.
A Challenging Transition Ahead
Whoever Disney chooses faces enormous expectations and scrutiny. The next Lucasfilm president will need to balance fan expectations, creative integrity, financial realities, and corporate interests—all while expanding and innovating the Star Wars brand. The reality is that no perfect replacement seems to exist, prompting many insiders to caution about the difficulty of the succession.
Kennedy’s departure marks not just the end of an era but the beginning of a precarious new chapter. Disney’s choice will define Star Wars' creative and commercial trajectory for years, possibly decades, to come.
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Source: Hollywood Reporter
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm/Getty Images
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