Kathleen Kennedy Updates Fans on the Fate of Future Star Wars Films

Kathleen Kennedy has confirmed that she is leaving Lucasfilm, and in a recent interview with Deadline, she shared updates on several Star Wars projects currently in development. While some films remain uncertain, others are moving forward in various stages of production.

Kennedy explained that the James Mangold and Beau Willimon script, which focuses on the Dawn of the Jedi, is “definitely breaking the mold” but is currently on hold. She described it as “an incredible script.” The Taika Waititi movie, originally announced in 2020, is still active. Kennedy called Waititi’s script “hilarious and great.”

Meanwhile, Donald Glover has submitted a script for a Lando film, and Steve Soderbergh and Adam Driver worked on a project written by Scott Burns, which she described as “just great.”

However, Kennedy made it clear that some projects, like Mangold’s and Soderbergh’s, are “on the back burner.” She noted that two other previously announced films, including Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey movie and Dave Filoni’s Heir to the Empire project, were not mentioned, leaving their status unclear.

More positive news comes from Simon Kinberg’s new Star Wars trilogy. Kennedy said, “[Kinberg] is working right now. He wrote something that we read in August, and it was very good, but not there. We’ve pretty much upended the story, and then spent a great deal of time on the treatment, which he finished literally about four weeks ago. And so he is expected to give us something in March.”

She also confirmed that Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are fully on board with Kinberg’s vision.

Looking ahead, Kennedy pointed out that projects like The Mandalorian and Grogu will continue this year, with Star Wars: Starfighter coming next year. But she emphasized that future movie decisions will now fall to the new Lucasfilm leadership. “I think the ones by Taika and Donald are still somewhat alive. That’s going to really be up to the new team to figure out,” she said.

Kennedy also addressed concerns about the ending of the franchise, noting her reluctance to create sequels that might conflict with the events of her yet-to-be-completed Ice and Fire saga. She stressed that while some projects are on hold, many are still possibilities if the right risk is taken.

From this update, it seems fans of Taika Waititi and Donald Glover have reason to be excited, while those waiting for James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi or Rey-centered stories may need to be patient.

Lucasfilm is entering a transitional phase, and it will be interesting to see how the new leadership prioritizes these projects. While Kennedy leaves big shoes to fill, her insights suggest that a mix of creative risk-taking and franchise-building is still very much alive. What do you think about these updates? Share your thoughts in the comments.