Kathleen Kennedy Champions Female Directors in Star Wars

ByHrvoje Milakovic Posted on
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Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm and a key figure in shaping the future of the Star Wars universe, continues to emphasize the importance of diversity within the franchise. In her recent interview with The Wrap, Kennedy highlighted her commitment to increasing the number of female directors in upcoming Star Wars projects.

Kennedy’s tenure at Lucasfilm has seen her steering the franchise through numerous changes, always with a focus on broadening the diversity of its creative voices. She’s pointed out the success of women directors in the franchise, noting that women directed three of the eight episodes of a recent Star Wars series. She described this focus as ‘absolutely a priority’ for her.

This commitment is also reflected in the projects currently in development. Deborah Chow has received praise from Kennedy for her work on the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Kennedy also expressed admiration for Nia DaCosta, a director she had hoped to bring into the Star Wars fold before DaCosta was tapped to direct the sequel to ‘Captain Marvel’.

The inclusion of more women in high-profile roles isn’t just about diversity; Kennedy believes it contributes directly to the quality of the franchise. For example, Bryce Dallas Howard has directed several acclaimed episodes of The Mandalorian and has expressed her eagerness to direct a Star Wars movie.

Kennedy feels that the evolving television landscape, which allows for more elaborate productions, offers a great opportunity for new talent to emerge and make their mark on big projects. According to her, this shift is crucial for bringing in and developing new talent.

The future seems bright for women in the Star Wars universe, with Kennedy at the helm ensuring that female directors are not only included but integral to the storytelling process. This move by Kennedy and Lucasfilm, in partnership with Disney, promises to enrich the franchise with new perspectives and innovations.

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