Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy 'retiring this year'

Kathleen Kennedy is reportedly set to retire from Lucasfilm by the end of 2025.

The studio president, 72, first joined in 2012 as co-chair with 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas before taking over a few months later when he left following Disney's $4 billion takeover.

According to Puck, several sources claim she has informed Disney - as well as her friends and associates - that she will step down by the end of the year.

It's claimed she initially planned to leave her post in 2024 with an exit interview planned with an unnamed journalist.

However, she ultimately decided to stay for another year.

Under her stewardship, Disney relaunched the 'Star Wars' franchise with 'The Force Awakens' in 2015.

The studio went on to release a new film in the space saga every year until 2019, then taking a break after 'The Rise of Skywalker'.

She has had big successes with series like 'The Mandalorian' and 'Andor', while 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' is coming next year as 'Star Wars' returns to the big screen.

Kennedy has also collaborated with Steven Spielberg and her husband Frank Marshall on the likes of the 'Indiana Jones' franchise, 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial', 'Gremlins', 'The Goonies' and the 'Back To The Future' trilogy.

In terms of 'Star Wars', Daisy Ridley is set to return in upcoming blockbuster 'New Jedi Order', with director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

The 32-year-old actress will reprise her role as Rey in the sci-fi flick, and while she has been "involved" in the production, she isn't sure if she will be a producer.

She recently told Collider: "I don't know if I'd be a producer on it, but certainly I have been very involved. Well, not very involved, but I'm involved in as much as I know what's going on.

"I know the story. I know what's going on with the script. So, I'm aware of all of that."

The 'Cleaner' star added: "What's been really wonderful over the last few years is being more involved from the start to the finish, is really coming to set knowing this is the absolute best way we can tell this story, these are the best actors for the job, this is the best crew for the job. Having that confidence is so lovely.

"And it's not that I didn't have that before, but I'm much more cognizant of it now. So, in that way, I'm looking forward to turning up really knowing the ins and outs and what the journey has been, and we're arriving at the absolute best place to tell this particular story."

Various writers have been attached to the film – which was first announced at Star Wars Celebration in London in 2023 but doesn't yet have a release date – but Daisy insists that the "freedom" surrounding the movie not having to rush production is a positive thing as 'The Bourne Ultimatum' scribe George Nolfi crafts the screenplay.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: "People have talked about it a lot that the release date often affects films and how quickly things go into production. So the freedom to make sure that this ['New Jedi Order'] script is the best way to tell this story is wonderful, and I don’t think any fans would want it to be rushed. The wait will be worth it.

"I know what George is working on, and he is a phenomenal writer. So I’m really looking forward to reading it, and yes, it’s all worthwhile."