FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK: Kathleen Kennedy leaves 'Star Wars'; is it too soon for fans to celebrate?

"Star Wars" fans may be celebrating a bit too early when it comes to Kathleen Kennedy's departure.

Kennedy headed Lucasfilm for 14 years, controlling iconic franchises like "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones."

'After destroying a beloved modern myth ... Kathleen Kennedy is finally stepping down.'

Fans rejoiced online as Disney announced Kennedy will be replaced by two executives: chief creative officer Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, president and general manager. Filoni will be president at Lucasfilm, while Brennan will be co-president.

Director Filoni's pairing with Brennan was described by Variety as a move that suggests Disney wanted to pair a strong filmmaker with a person who has a solid sense of budgets.

However, despite what appears to be good news for "Star Wars" fans, Kennedy's tenure is not exactly coming to a screeching halt.

One to 'Grogu' on

Kennedy will still serve as a producer for two theatrical "Star Wars" films, the first being 2026's "The Mandalorian and Grogu."

This is the same wing of the franchise's universe that fired former MMA fighter and actress Gina Carano for speaking out against mask mandates.

Additionally, Kennedy will produce "Star Wars: Starfighter," which is set for a 2027 release.

RELATED: 'Put a chick in it, make it lame and gay!' 'South Park: Joining the Panderverse' review

Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Disney

That didn't seem to bother detractors like Babylon Bee editor Joel Berry, who posted, "After destroying a beloved modern myth and replacing it with a 14-year, malice-filled tantrum against the patriarchy, Kathleen Kennedy is finally stepping down. Finally."

Cartoonist George Alexopoulos joked that Kennedy put the franchise "in a grave."

Others screamed from X's rooftops that "Star Wars" is now "free" and is "going to be amazing."

Put a chick in it

X owner Elon Musk even jumped into the mix by simply posting a clip from "South Park: Joining the Panderverse."

The 2023 episode was internationally recognized for hilariously mocking the downward spiral of Disney's intellectual properties at the hands of Kennedy. The episode showed Kennedy demanding the diversification of every character Disney had to offer, changing movies to ensure they had "lame," gay, and female characters, no matter how unsuccessful they were.

The cartoon popularized the phrase, "Put a chick in it! Make it lame and gay!" as a way to describe needless and forced diversity in media.

RELATED: Male 'Star Wars' fans attack women, Kathleen Kennedy says ahead of latest woke series 'The Acolyte'

Your worshipfulness

Disney CEO Bob Iger praised Kennedy in a statement on her way out, saying "We're deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy's leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand."

During her time at Lucasfilm, Kennedy has been criticized by fans not only for her film choices, but for comments that she made toward them.

In 2024, Kennedy accused fans who were unhappy with the show "The Acolyte" of attacking women online.

"I think a lot of the women who step into 'Star Wars' struggle with this a bit more. Because of the fan base being so male dominated, they sometimes get attacked in ways that can be quite personal."

While adding that she too has been a victim, Kennedy alluded to the fact that some of the fans were bigots.

"I stand by my empathy for 'Star Wars' fans. But I want to be clear. Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech ... I don't consider a fan."

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