The news that producer Kathleen Kennedy, one of the greatest legends in Hollywood, is retiring, has hit me hard. Ever since I can remember, I’ve remembered her name in 9 out of 10 of the films that shaped me, and even more so, it was a sign that a woman had power in Hollywood.

At 71 years old, she is the head of LucasFilm and oversees franchises such as Indiana Jones and Star Wars, but guess who has been responsible for the not-so-good results of all these contents? Yeah. Unfair.

Although nothing is official yet, The Hollywood Reporter reported on the rumors, so it seems to have some basis. And it’s revealing news, especially for women because Kathleen is one of the giants in the land of Marlboro. No matter how you want to put it, the news of Barbara Broccoli’s retirement so soon is a loss for women.

For nearly 50 years, Kathleen Kennedy has been a prominent figure in the film industry. She began her career in the entertainment world at a San Diego TV station, where she held a variety of roles, including camera operator, video editor, and news production coordinator.

She got her start in the film industry when she worked as a production assistant for John Milius on Steven Spielberg’s 1941 and impressed the director so much that he invited her to collaborate on future projects. As a result, she was already with him when iconic films of the 1980s, such as E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, and The Goonies, were released.

Her experience and project management skills helped her rise through the ranks. So much so that in 1981, Kathleen co-founded the production company The Kennedy/Marshall Company with Frank Marshall. Together, they produced several mega-hits such as Jurassic Park and worked on the biggest, being nominated for an Oscar eight times, including The Sixth Sense, Lincoln, and winning Schindler’s List.

In 2012, when Disney acquired Lucasfilm, George Lucas named Kathleen Kennedy as president of the company. In other words, she became one of the most influential executives in the industry, responsible for leading billion-dollar franchises such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

It was under her command that she has been a driving force in the expansion of the Star Wars franchise, with the sequel trilogy The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker and spin-offs such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story. Of course, we can’t forget that we also have Andor and The Mandalorian thanks to Kathleen.

She was also the first woman to receive the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award from the Academy, an award given only to producers who have made an extraordinary impact on cinema. This award, which has been given mostly to men throughout history, highlighted her pioneering role.

No one at the top has only success stories and critical “failures” such as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the failed attempts to launch spin-off films after Rogue One and Solo, which faced production problems and cancellations, created a crisis at LucasFilms (and Disney), contributing to uncertainty about the future of Star Wars film productions. This has been linked to Kathleen’s legacy as well. Many Star Wars fans blame her for the lack of cohesion in the new trilogy and for divisive creative decisions. In addition, the poor performance of Indiana Jones and the Call of Destiny has raised questions about her leadership.

Unsurprisingly, the news is that Lucasfilm is moving in new creative directions. If it were a man, none of this would be happening… That’s right, these criticisms reflect the misogynistic environment in Hollywood and pop culture, where women in positions of power are often attacked more than their male counterparts.

Hollywood’s reaction: undeniable misogyny and ageism

Hollywood’s reaction to the announcement of Kathleen Kennedy’s possible retirement has been mixed. While many applaud her successes and her courage to expand the narrative of important franchises, others support the idea of ​​creative renewal, even as there are concerns about the stability of Lucasfilm.

Some filmmakers have expressed hope that new leadership can bring a fresh vision, while longtime fans discuss how her departure could affect the legacy and future productions of Star Wars.

If Kathleen Kennedy’s retirement is confirmed, it will end an era. Not just for Star Wars or Lucasfilm, but for Hollywood as a whole. Her trajectory proves that women can occupy the top of the film industry, helm billion-dollar franchises, and make creative decisions that shape generations. Her impact goes far beyond the credits in the films that shaped us — it lies in the slow but steady transformation of an industry that has always been reluctant to give women a place in power.

What now? Who will take her place? Will Hollywood allow another woman to reach that level of influence? The criticism Kathleen has received over the years, often disproportionate and poisoned by misogyny, makes it clear that the road to equality is still difficult. Her departure reinforces this question: will the top of entertainment continue to be a place for women, or was her presence the exception?

Time will tell. But one thing is certain: Kathleen Kennedy changed Hollywood. Her legacy cannot be erased. And so, even if the news brings a pang to the heart, there is a certain pride in knowing that, for almost 50 years, she was there, paving the way for all those who will come after her.

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