What Disney Shakeup Means For Kevin Feige, Star Wars, And Kathleen Kennedy

Let’s be honest: Kathleen Kennedy’s tenure as President of Lucasfilm hasn’t been the most stable. From the decision to let Rian Johnson helm The Last Jedi, to the directorial and marketing debacles of Solo: A Story Wars Story, irate fans are still calling for the Disney exec’s head on a platter. Granted, the ship seems to have righted itself with the non-theatrical productions. The award-winning Mandalorian is one of the most popular streaming series in history. The Clone Wars final season was an astounding success. Likewise is The Bad Batch thus far. Plus, there’s a veritable cornucopia of live-action still to come to Disney+, like The Book of Boba Fett. But the recent shakeups at Disney HQ had some again questioning whether Kennedy would remain at the helm of Star Wars. Of course Marvel head Kevin Feige is at the center of that discussion.

Bob Iger handing the key to the Magic Kingdom to new CEO Bob Chapek has brought “radical” changes to Disney, according to a report from Variety. Disney has completely restructured its business model. Now there are three divisions: studios, general entertainment and sports. The task of herding the proverbial cats that are the money-making brands (i.e. Star Wars, Marvel, etc.) will fall to Alan Bergman. Chief among his duties is managing execs like Kathleen Kennedy and Kevin Feige. The question of what role Feige would play with Star Wars could loom heavily over Bergman if the Kennedy criticism continues.

Will Kevin Feige replace Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm?

Kevin Feige, after all, is apparently seen as “the most essential executive” at Disney right now. And why not? Marvel Studios has been an unabashed success. In many ways, asking Feige to settle things down at Lucasfilm makes a lot of sense. Those opposed to Kathleen Kennedy would certainly welcome the change. It seems, though, that the decision rests with Feige. For better or worse, he’s not interested in taking Star Wars over from his colleague.

Rumors swirled that Kevin Feige might take control of Lucasfilm when the studio announced that he would, in fact, produce a new Star Wars film. He’s since denied those rumors, noting that his involvement with Star Wars rests solely with producing that film, and as a fan. Disney insiders likewise maintain that Feige is “fully committed with his Marvel duties and has no ambition to lead Lucasfilm or take more of a role.” Thus, Kathleen Kennedy appears to remain secure in her position, for now. Still… as Yoda told Luke in The Empire Strikes Back, “always in motion, is the future.” Time will assuredly tell.

Source: Variety