Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm and a key figure behind the Star Wars franchise, is planning to retire by the end of this year, according to reports from Puck.

A Significant Shift in Leadership at Lucasfilm

Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm since 2012, first joined the company as co-chair alongside Star Wars creator George Lucas.

When Disney acquired the company and Lucas stepped down, Kennedy became the president and has overseen the production of numerous Star Wars films and TV shows.

Her decision to step down comes amid significant controversy over the direction of the beloved franchise.

Elon Musk’s Criticism and the ‘Woke’ Controversy

The news of Kennedy’s impending retirement follows criticism from tech mogul Elon Musk.

Last year, Musk accused Kennedy of turning the Star Wars franchise “woke,” referring to her efforts to make the storytelling more inclusive.

He even went as far as to label her a “franchise killer,” citing the controversial direction of The Acolyte series.

Kennedy Responds to Criticism

In response to such criticism, Kennedy addressed the challenges faced by women in the Star Wars universe, particularly the public attacks directed at those who are part of the franchise.

During an interview with the New York Times in November, Kennedy acknowledged that the Star Wars fan base, which has historically been dominated by male fans, can sometimes react harshly to change.

She stood by her belief that storytelling should represent a diverse range of people, calling it “an easy decision” for her to push for such inclusivity.

A New Era for Lucasfilm

As Kathleen Kennedy prepares to step down, the Star Wars franchise is poised for a new chapter.

Fans and industry insiders alike will be closely watching to see how Lucasfilm evolves and who will take the reins after Kennedy’s departure.