Well, they often say art imitates life and it is no truer than right now with Star Wars. The fan rebellion now enters its darkest hour as Disney announces that Kathleen Kennedy will remain as Emperor President of Lucasfilm until 2021.
The fan celebrations after the destruction of the Death Star that was Solo: A Star Wars Story, and rumours about the pending removal of Kathleen Kennedy, have been short-lived.
An army of long-time Star Wars fans had hoped this would mean a return to a time when Star Wars brought people together via the simple social narratives of good and evil – before the dark times, before the Empire.
These hopes have been seemingly dashed by Disney.
The rumours of Kennedy’s demise have been swiftly dismissed according to The Hollywood Reporter who has announced that:
“The lead producer and architect of the Star Wars franchise has renewed her contract to remain president of Lucasfilm for another three years, through 2021.”
Disney and Lucasfilm will now focus upon the Disney Streaming Service, set to launch in the second half of 2019, as sources for The Hollywood Reporter explained:
“The near future of Star Wars lies in television with Kennedy-led Lucasfilm planning on expanding the universe with new characters in that medium.”
This would tend to make one think the Star Wars cinematic universe has been put on hold after Episode IX is released on December 19, 2019. An idea supported by Disney boss Bob Iger, in another interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the release schedule of future Star Wars films:
“I think we’re going to be a little bit more careful about volume and timing”.
It appears Episode IX will be the last cinematic film under Kennedy’s reign.
Disney’s focus on the success of their streaming service products rather than the cinema leads one down the path of an apparent succession plan for the Lucasfilm President. Kennedy may make more Star Wars “films” but they will never hit cinemas and will likely be tele-movies on the streaming service.
While some naysayers shout that the fan-led Rebellion is in tatters with the Empire striking back in support of Kennedy, the real battle is actually about to begin as the third part of this trilogy plays out.
The cinematic experience is at the heart of the Star Wars universe and it is here where the battle lines will be drawn.
I’m afraid the boycott will be quite operational by the time Episode IX arrives.
Where are those Bothans! Yub Nub.