Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Says She Loves Hearing 'Star Wars' Criticism

We all know by now that cultural juggernauts like Star Wars come with some of the most intense fan bases. But while some showrunners might find that kind of intensity a bit overwhelming, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says it's what keeps them sharp.

Kennedy, who has been a part of the company since 2012, spoke to Yahoo! News this week about how she has dealt with Star Wars' passionate fandom, stating:

“I frankly love the feedback and frankly the criticism… It's kind of like having a continual focus group that's out there telling you things, whether it's what you want to hear or you don't want to hear.”

Kennedy makes a good point. In the social media age, fans can theorize and discuss with creator and actors in ways they never could before. But let’s be real, some are always looking for something to criticize. Though Kennedy admitted that this can be “frustrating,” she has learned how to let it roll off her back. “You develop a little bit of an armor, but you learn from that,” she explained.

Kennedy also wants fans to know that, though they are the ones making the films, they are still as emotionally invested as the fandom is. She added, “We're just like the fans out there, we're just trying to find what's cool, what's heartfelt, what's strong storytelling and so I have to say - within reason - I love the feedback.”

We can only wonder now what kind of feedback Lucasfilm will get when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres Dec. 20, 2019.