With Kathleen Kennedy stepping down as President of Lucasfilm after a 14-year tenure and transitioning out of the top leadership role to focus on full-time producing, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan have their work cut out for them as the appointed new co-presidents of the studio.
The new team is tasked with bringing more stability to the franchise after years of highs and lows marked by frequent director firings and “development hell,” with many announced movies—such as those from Rian Johnson or Kevin Feige—stalling or being canceled. But so far, the change in leadership has created a wave of rumors and unsubstantiated claims regarding the future of the franchise. The duo’s next major move should be an official announcement to address the studio’s future project slate and creative roadmap.
Since the change took place last week, there have been unsubstantiated rumors from a Lucasfilm employee apparently having insider knowledge on Filoni being unhappy and not on board with the Andor and animated Visions series for unexplained reasons. If these vague rumors continue, it’s only going to feed the more “toxic” side of the Star Wars fanbase.
It’s important to understand that a lot of these rumors and claims most likely came before the change in leadership at Lucasfilm.
Rick Famuyiwa as a X-Wing fighter pilot Jib Dodger in ‘The Mandalorian’, appearing in Season 1, Chapter 6 (“The Prisoner”). Credit: Lucasfilm
Today, we hear that the news outlet The Wrap has insider news that Rick Famuyiwa was quietly working on his own mysterious Star Wars series for the Disney+ service behind the scenes; however, it seems to have become stuck in ‘limbo,’ stalled due to shifting priorities. The only details known on the project are that it was reportedly going to be a part of Lucasfilm’s and Filoni’s Mandoverse, which is currently on hold.
Famuyiwa was one of the biggest go-to helmers outside of Jon Favreau and directed six episodes of The Mandalorian and the first season finale of Ahsoka. This mystery series appears to be caught in that broader restructuring, similar to other unconfirmed Star Wars and Indiana Jones projects.
Rey Skywalker, portrayed by Daisy Ridley, was the protagonist of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Credit: Lucasfilm
Also, today we’ve got word via @DanielRPK on the X platform that Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker is reportedly expected to have a major role in Simon Kinberg’s planned trilogy, but the focus will be on brand-new leads.
This would make more sense because Daisy Ridley has been doing multiple interviews promoting her new “We Bury the Dead” movie and commenting that her untitled Star Wars movie centers on her character, Rey, and that it’s happening and will be worth the wait. She is excited about the story and progress, though filming timelines remain fluid. Ridley previously assured Collider’s Maggie Lovitt during a recent sit-down that it’s on track.
“There’s always movement,” she said, “but the movement is at the right pace, because the best things are worth the wait,” she said.
In Kennedy’s exit interview she confirmed that Kinberg was writing and producing a new, separate Star Wars trilogy for Lucasfilm, focusing on new characters and stories, aiming for character-driven plots rather than just spectacle. Kennedy said the proposed trilogy was well past the pre- production stage.
ScreenRant‘s Grant Hermanns sat down with Kinberg back in August of 2025, and he revealed his favorite Star Wars movies and how they may influence his upcoming trilogy.
“My favorite of the Star Wars movies is Empire Strikes Back, and it’s because the balance between the epic and the intimate is so strong in that they’re such personal stories. The stakes are really personal, and yet, obviously, there’s all kinds of great science fiction. I think Andor did an extraordinary job of that, as well. It was such an emotional, intense, personal show that also had, obviously, massive stakes to it, and politics, and all of that.”
As much as we’re ready for all these projects, fans will not be able to move forward positively unless there is some official statement made in the next few months. Perhaps WonderCon or a substantial sit-down interview with Filoni and Brennan with a reputable reporting outlet.
On the set of ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, director Shawn Levy has been capturing behind-the-scenes moments, expressing both immense pressure and childlike glee. Credit: Variety magazine.
The good news is that the next chapter of Star Wars franchise is finally here, and it just may be a return to the old George Lucas event-type film releases. Seeing a Star Wars film and discussing what might happen with family and friends between theatrical releases was always something special to me. Hopefully, with the reports of a new trilogy on the horizon, the magic it once had will return. I’ll keep you updated as changes happen.
May the Force be with you…
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