With Puck, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety all reporting that Kathleen Kennedy is set to retire from Lucasfilm before the end of 2025, it seemed like the long-rumored end of her tenure was finally happening. But now, CNN—an outlet struggling with dwindling relevance and collapsing ratings—has inserted itself into the conversation to state that Kennedy is not leaving, citing an unnamed source who claims “there’s nothing there right now.”
That’s it. That’s the rebuttal.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Kathleen Kennedy, President, Lucasfilm attends the launch event for Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars series The Acolyte at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
This so-called counterpoint doesn’t actually debunk the reports from the Hollywood trades. Instead, CNN’s source provided a conveniently vague statement: “Any announcement of Kennedy’s retirement, if indeed there’s anything to announce, will be made ‘public’ when ‘actual decisions are made.’”
So, in other words, they’re saying Lucasfilm hasn’t made an official announcement yet. That’s not a denial—that’s corporate deflection.
CNN vs. Hollywood Trades—Who’s the More Reliable Source?
The idea that CNN is more informed about Disney’s internal decisions than Variety or The Hollywood Reporter is, at best, laughable. These Hollywood trades are deeply connected to the entertainment industry and routinely break major news because they have direct access to insiders. They also routinely run cover for major studios like Disney, pushing the company line and avoiding any controversy. It’s unlikely that these publications would run with an unverified rumor unless they had something concrete.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Kathleen Kennedy onstage during the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 attends the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London at ExCel on April 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for Disney)
READ: Rachel Zegler Attempts to Walk Back Snow White Criticism in Interview With Polished Disney PR Spin
For Puck to first report Kennedy’s impending exit, and then for Variety and The Hollywood Reporter to follow suit, means the information likely comes from credible, well-placed industry sources. These publications wouldn’t risk their reputations (and, more importantly, studio connections) by running with a baseless rumor—especially about something as major as the departure of one of the most controversial executives in modern Hollywood.
Meanwhile, CNN, which has been shedding viewers at a record pace, seems eager to play contrarian—perhaps to create noise and attract attention from a broader audience. Given that many prominent conservative voices have celebrated Kennedy’s rumored departure, CNN may see this as an opportunity to take a counter-narrative position, regardless of whether or not it holds water.
A Weak and Meaningless Rebuttal
If CNN had actual proof that Kennedy wasn’t leaving, they would have said so. Instead, their so-called “source close to the situation” provided a vague and non-committal response. The phrase “if indeed there’s anything to announce” doesn’t inspire confidence in the claim that she’s staying. Instead, it sounds like the typical PR dodge companies use when they don’t want to confirm something yet.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: (L-R) Leslye Headland, Dave Filoni, Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy, President, Lucasfilm attend the launch event for Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars series The Acolyte at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
READ: Kathleen Kennedy Reportedly Leaving Lucasfilm Sometime This Year According to Hollywood Trades
Compare this to Puck’s report, which directly stated that Kennedy is expected to step down before the end of 2025. That’s a concrete claim. And the fact that major Hollywood trades picked it up only strengthens its credibility.
If the report were completely false and Kennedy was not leaving, we’d likely see direct statements from Lucasfilm or Disney outright denying it. Instead, CNN is left quoting a source who merely says that announcements will come when decisions are made—essentially restating the obvious.
CNN’s Struggle for Relevance
It’s no secret that CNN has been hemorrhaging viewers, struggling to maintain relevance in a changing media landscape. While Hollywood trades remain sources for studio-approved entertainment news, CNN’s credibility in that space is questionable at best.
A screenshot from CNN – YouTube, CNN
By casting doubt on Kennedy’s exit, CNN positions itself as the lone voice countering the Hollywood establishment. It’s a strategy that gets them attention, even if the claims don’t hold much weight. If they’re wrong and Kennedy does retire, they can quietly move on. But if they manage to stir up enough confusion, they might drive some traffic to their coverage in the meantime.
Kennedy’s Legacy and the Future of Lucasfilm
Regardless of whether Kennedy steps down this year or next, one thing is clear—her time at Lucasfilm has left the Star Wars franchise in worse shape than when she took over. Box office numbers have declined, streaming projects have struggled to maintain audience interest, and the franchise no longer commands the cultural dominance it once did.
If she truly is on her way out, the real question isn’t whether she will leave, but whether Star Wars can recover. And whether it’s CNN or the Hollywood trades reporting on it, that’s the discussion that really matters.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: (L-R) Daisy Ridley, Kathleen Kennedy and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy attend the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 attends the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London at ExCel on April 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney)
For now, fans will have to wait and see—but if history is any indication, it’s probably smarter to trust the Hollywood insiders over a failing cable news network grasping for attention.
Do you believe CNN that Kathleen Kennedy is not leaving Lucasfilm? Sound off in the comments below and let us know!
“What I find most surprising is that CNN still exists.” – Elon Musk
Aaah yeah CNN, must be true then, between liberating torturers and doing terrorist propaganda they need a moment to keep telling the true, god forbids there is a piece of missinformation coming out anywhere
I knew CNN was desperate but this is pathetic even for them. There have been rumors that WBD would divest themselves of the failing network for the past few months and now it looks like they might not have a choice. Getting rid of them wouldn’t save WBD but it would stanch a massive amount of bleeding and give them more time before they fail completely.
Kennedy is DEI. Firing DEI is really hard, because they threaten you with lawfare. She’ll also know what the pervs at Disney got up to.
Standard smoke screen until Celebration where Kathy will make the announcement and then she’ll be showered with accolades and compliments all summer long, before getting the most golden of parachutes from Disney as they flip the page from FY2025 – FY2026 on October 1.
That’s my best guess and probably more accurate as CNN’s “source.”
I’ve heard so many of these “KK quits” stories that I’m numb to the events. Her departure will change nothing since Lucasfilm are full of her feminist cronies like Filoni.
I wonder if it’s an executive war being played out on n public? The trades represent disney trying to force her into retirement and cnn is kennedy trying to weakly swing back.