In a new era of Star Wars, the franchise needs “fresh voices (and) new stories,” says The Last Jedi writer and director Rian Johnson.

The news that Kathleen Kennedy would be stepping down as president of Lucasfilm was not entirely unexpected. There have been reports and rumors about it long before the announcement became official in January 2026. This is a big change for the studio, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson hopes it will bring a new take on the Star Wars universe.

In an interview with Variety after Kathleen Kennedy was confirmed to be leaving Lucasfilm after 14 years, Rian Johnson expressed hope that the move will usher in a new era for the historical film franchise. “I love Cassie and I can’t wait to see what she does next,” Rian Johnson said. “As a Star Wars fan, the most exciting thing for me is to see a moment when Star Wars welcomes fresh voices and fresh filmmakers to tell new stories in its world. That’s what I look forward to seeing more happen.”

Johnson directed the second film in the sequel trilogy, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, in 2017. His efforts were sandwiched between two JJ Abrams films, The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker. Kathleen Kennedy’s departure is certainly an opportunity to reshape the future of the Star Wars franchise. Dave Filoni, who has a background in animation in the Star Wars universe, and Lynwen Brennan, who was brought in to oversee the business side of the studio, are the new co-presidents of Lucasfilm and will have a huge influence on what happens next in the galaxy far, far away.