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In a recent interview with Deadline, Kennedy addressed the ongoing speculation about her retirement, stating emphatically, "I am not retiring." She emphasized that she would "never retire" from filmmaking, which raises questions about what she actually meant by that. Critics of her tenure at Lucasfilm have seized upon her used wording, indicating an underlying frustration and uncertainty about her future role.
Kennedy's comments included an admission of discussions with Disney executives about future succession plans. While she claimed to have a “bench of amazing people” prepared to take over, the timeline she presented for an announcement—potentially within months to a year—has led many to believe that her exit is not as far off as she portrays.