Kathleen Kennedy recently sat down with Deadline to talk about her exit from Lucasfilm. She praised the many hits the studio enjoyed, such as The Force Awakens and The Mandalorian. She also admitted that one film still haunts her. Kennedy said Solo: A Star Wars Story is the one decision she would handle differently if she could go back.
Why Solo Stands Out
Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.
Solo faced a rocky production in 2017. The studio replaced the original directors after a few weeks of shooting. The new team had to reshoot large sections of the movie. Those production issues caused the film to lose momentum and to miss its target audience. The movie earned less at the box office than expected, making it the first Star Wars title to be called a financial disappointment. Kennedy believes the pressure placed on Alden Ehrenreich also hurt the film. She explained that asking a young actor to fill the shoes of Harrison Ford set an impossible standard.
Lessons for Future Star Wars Projects
Kennedy emphasized that she would not change the overall direction of the franchise. She said fans will always have mixed reactions to bold choices. The new leadership team, led by Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, now has the chance to learn from Solo’s missteps. Filoni can guide upcoming series like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka Season 2, and Star Wars Starfighter without being tied to past mistakes. Kennedy hopes the studio will keep experimenting while protecting its core fans.
The Impact of Leadership Change
Lucasfilm announced that Kennedy will step down as President. Dave Filoni will take the top spot, and Lynwen Brennan will serve as co President. This Lucasfilm leadership change signals a fresh start for the brand. The team plans to focus on storytelling that respects the legacy while inviting new ideas. Kennedy’s candid admission about Solo offers a clear lesson: even big studios must guard against unrealistic expectations and rushed decisions.
Overall, Kennedy’s Solo regret does not diminish her many successes at Lucasfilm. It simply reminds us that every franchise faces a stumble. As the studio moves forward, fans can look forward to more adventures that honor the past and explore new horizons.
Source: Geek Tyrant
