Daisy Ridley Confirms Kathleen Kennedy Will Be “Very Involved” in Her New Jedi Order film

Kathleen Kennedy has been at the helm of Lucasfilm for 13 years, leading the company through a period of significant growth and challenges, particularly with the Star Wars franchise. Recent rumors about Kathleen Kennedy leaving Lucasfilm have sparked confusion, but Daisy Ridley has set the record straight about the studio president’s involvement in her next Star Wars project.

Speaking at the SXSW premiere of her film We Bury the Dead, Ridley shared her thoughts, saying Kennedy remains a key part of the upcoming movie.

Reports about Kennedy’s future have been mixed. One source, Puck’s Matt Belloni, claimed she’d step down as Lucasfilm president by the end of 2025. However, Deadline later published Kennedy’s response, where she said, “I am not retiring. I will never retire from movies.” She also mentioned that talks about who might take over her role are underway, with more news expected in the coming months or possibly a year.

When asked how much Kennedy is contributing to the new Star Wars film, which Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is directing, Ridley was clear. “I believe that she’s very involved,” she said. “I think there was reporting that was not true. So yeah, very [involved].” Her words suggest Kennedy is still deeply tied to the project, despite the rumors.

The film, part of the New Jedi Order storyline, has faced delays, and Ridley admitted she’s unsure about when production will start. “I don’t know,” she said simply when asked about the filming timeline.

Kennedy’s own statements add some clarity to the situation. While she plans to keep making movies as a producer, she hinted at stepping away from her current job as Lucasfilm president.

She said that succession plans are being discussed, meaning a change in leadership could happen eventually. Even so, stepping down as president wouldn’t end her work on Star Wars. She could still produce Ridley’s film and other projects, like one being developed by Shawn Levy.

Ridley’s comments shut down some of the speculation, confirming Kennedy’s active role for now. Whether Kennedy stays as president or shifts to a producer position, her influence on this Star Wars chapter isn’t fading anytime soon.