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Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy will step down this week, marking a major — though expected — changing of the guard at the Walt Disney Co.-owned “Star Wars” studio.

In her place, current Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni has been named president and will retain his creative title and Lucasfilm Business President and General Manager Lynwen Brennan has been named co-president, Disney said Thursday. The pair will co-lead the San Francisco-based studio and will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.

The move comes amid widespread speculation about Kennedy’s future. Handpicked in 2012 by “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” creator George Lucas to helm the company he founded, Kennedy, 72, oversaw the expansion of the “Star Wars” franchise into a new trilogy, two spin-off movies, as well as several TV shows, including “The Mandalorian” and “Andor.”

But the expansion, and her tenure, were not without setbacks.

2018’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” grossed just $392.9 million at the box office, after a fraught production in which the studio replaced the directors during shooting. Several “Star Wars” projects have been announced over the years with big names attached, only to be delayed or dropped, including a planned trilogy with “Game of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

Kennedy told The Times in 2019 that perceptions of director churn at Lucasfilm were overblown.

“Nobody in our business develops something with one person, that’s it, and everything goes perfectly,” she said at the time. “That’s a fairly common part of the process. We fall under incredible scrutiny because it’s ‘Star Wars.’ Because of the quality I’m striving for, I’m reaching out to top talent, and vice versa.”

Kennedy also had to weather scrutiny from die-hard fans about the new direction of the franchise. Nevertheless, the newest “Star Wars” trilogy grossed a collective $4.3 billion in worldwide box office revenue, with spinoff “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” hauling in more than $1 billion globally and leading to the popular series “Andor.”

She will continue as producer of Lucasfilm’s next two theatrical films — May’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” and “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which is being helmed by Shawn Levy and set for release in 2027.

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” will mark the first “Star Wars” theatrical film since 2019’s “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker.” During production for that movie, Kennedy asked Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger if the company could take a pause on “Star Wars” films to give them more time develop new storylines. At that point, the company had released at least one “Star Wars” movie a year since 2015, while Lucas himself had previously waited at least three years between films. (Since 2019, the studio did release “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” as well as several “Star Wars” series and streaming films.)

Both Filoni and Brennan step into their new roles as Lucasfilm veterans.

Filoni, who frequently wears a cowboy hat in public and is thus widely recognizable to fans, was chosen by Lucas in 2005 to build the studio’s animation business. He created Lucasfilm’s first series, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” as well as “Star Wars Rebels,” was the executive producer on shows including “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka” and is producer and writer of the “The Mandalorian and Grogu” film.

Brennan joined Lucasfilm visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic in 1999 and currently leads business strategy, franchise and production operations, as well as ILM’s expansion worldwide.

Jan. 6 (UPI) — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado praised U.S. President Donald Trump for ousting former President Nicolas Maduro, calling it a giant achievement for humanity, for which Trump should rightly receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Jan. 3 will go down in history as the day justice defeated tyranny. It’s a milestone, and it’s not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think it’s a huge step for humanity, for freedom, and human dignity,” Machado told Fox News on Monday night.

She said Trump’s action to begin dismantling Maduro’s “narco-terrorist regime,” bringing him to justice, and with it, bringing democracy within reach for 30 million Venezuelans, proved beyond doubt that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, said Machado, herself the recipient of this year’s peace prize.

However, she issued a warning to the Trump administration that the woman who was sworn in as Maduro’s replacement, interim president Delcy Rodriguez, was not to be trusted, accusing her of being “one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco-trafficking,” in Venezuela.

“She’s a main ally and liaison of Russia, China, Iran, certainly not an individual who could be trusted by international investors and she’s really rejected by the Venezuelan people.”

Trump said Monday night that Rodriguez was cooperating with his administration but insisted there had been no deal with any individuals or group inside Venezuelan to take down Maduro.

He said there was no communication with Rodríguez prior to Friday night’s military operation to capture Maduro, adding that a decision was imminent on whether earlier sanctions imposed on her would remain in place.

He also strongly denied that his preference for Rodriguez had anything to do with the fact he beleived the peace prize should have gone to him, rather than Machado.

The Wall Street Journal repored Monday that Trump determined Rodriguez and other members of Maduro’s inner circle were best placed to head a transition administration and keep stability in Venezuela in the event Maduro lost power, based on a CIA intelligence assessment of various scenarios.

The classified report was, in part, responsible for Trump’s decision to support Maduro’s vice president over Machado.

Publicly, he has said she lacked sufficient “support” and “respect” in her home country, despite the fact that Machado won the presidential primary in December 2023, but was barred from running by Maduro.

Machado was replaced on the ballot by Edmundo Gonzales, who is widely regarded to have won the presidency by most Western countries.

Machado, who is in Norway after being smuggled out of Venezuela in December to travel to Oslo to collect her award, vowed to return to Venezuela as soon as possible and that her opposition movement, which had the 2024 election stolen from it by Maduro, wanted the transition to democracy to move forward.

“We won an election by a landslide under fraudulent conditions. In free and fair elections, we will win over 90% of the votes, I have no doubt about it,” said Machado.

However, Trump quashed speculation that elections could be held as soon as next month, saying Venezuela had to be fixed first.

“You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote. No, it’s going to take a period of time. We have — we have to nurse the country back to health,” said Trump.

Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke says that Peter Harte is ‘probably not going to commit’ to the Tyrone cause ahead of the 2026 season, while Rian O’Neill looks set to sit out the 2026 campaign for Armagh.

O’Rourke was speaking after the Red Hands opened their campaign in the Dr McKenna Cup with a 2-13 to 0-17 win away at Armagh.

Mattie Donnelly who was also a part of the 2008 All-Ireland minor winning side with Harte, contributed 1-2 on the night.

“I think Peter, at this stage, is probably not going to be able to commit, unfortunately. Peter has given so much service to the county, he’s a brilliant role model for all the boys, he’ll be missed greatly,” O’Rourke told BBC Sport NI.

“We’re never going to close the door on him, and I definitely don’t want to close the door on him.

“So, if it was the case that he got a wee bit of breathing space later on in the year and he was able to come back, well, then the door will always be open for him.

“But, at this stage, he’s not able to give the commitment. So, we’ll just have to move on in the short term without him, and we’ll see how things go.”

With the conveyor belt of underage success coming through in Tyrone at the minute, including last year’s U20 and minor All-Ireland winning sides, the experience of the 35-year-old would be beneficial for the county.

“Both on the field and off the field, just the way he conducts himself, the way he trains, the way he prepares for training, and everything about him is just what you want in a panel,” O’Rourke continued.

“And it’s great. We’ve so many young lads coming through who, I suppose, in many ways, are learning to trade at this level.

“And the more fellas like Peter that they can learn from, the better. Maybe there will be some chance that he’ll be back to us later on in the year. But, at this stage, I’m not sure that’s going to be the way it turns out.

“But, Peter certainly owes nobody anything. He’s had a tremendous career. Even last year when he was in with us, he was brilliant to work with.”

O’Rourke also confirmed that Darragh Canavan should be available for selection ahead of Tyrone’s National Football League opener at home to Kildare on 24 January.

“All the boys that weren’t involved tonight were all training earlier on today, and Darragh included,” the Tyrone boss confirmed.

“They were all out in the field. So, everybody was training. Everyone was at different stages.

“But, no, we’d be hoping that they’ll all be back and be in contention for the start of the National League.”

ZARA McDermott has shared a rare loved-up snap with boyfriend Louis Tomlinson after taking a “huge step” in their relationship.

The One Direction singer, 34, whom she started dating in March, made it onto an Instagram image carousel of the Love Island alum’s best bits of 2025.

It came after The Sun exclusively revealed they had spent Christmas together at his Hertfordshire home.

The cheery image showed the duo in Costa Rica in what she described as “the most magical trip of my life”.

The lovebirds were seen all smiles as the posed for a selfie in the wing mirror of a safari van.

Zara, 29, could be seen wearing a tan Miu Miu baseball cap and gold earrings while Louis, who was behind the wheel, donned a white T-Shirt and sunglasses.

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She captured a leafy backdrop in her shot and wrote: “Went to Costa Rica, a country I’ve wanted to visit since I was a teenager.

“The most magical trip of my life!!”

Back in May, we told how the pair “couldn’t stop snogging” after they were spotted on the trip.

At the time, The Sun revealed that Louis flew the Strictly star out in first class to a secluded villa on the coast in Santa Teresa where he was recording new music.

Zara, who split from former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson last January, was then seen locking lips with her new pop star beau.

Following Zara’s recent upload Louis’ sister Lottie – who has previously broken her silence on the pair’s romance – was quick to reply to the upload with red love heart Emoji icons.

One fan then put of the pair: “He’s smiling u make him so happy Zara.’

A second posted: “Oh sob I love seeing him happy.”

A third put: “Louis finally is happy omg.”

Other images included Zara’s work achievements for her BBC Three documentaries and her fashion brand Rise, as well as her posing in stylish dresses and capturing her family travelling on a private jet for their 30th wedding anniversary.

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Last month, we told how the couple had progressed their relationship by spending the festive period together.

Zara joined the Night Changes hitmaker, his son Freddie, and his extended family including sister Lottie and twins Phoebe and Daisy, for the special time.

On their new podcast, Tea With The Twins, Phoebe and Daisy said: “This is a big Christmas this year — it might be our biggest Christmas. Everyone is coming. 

“The new baby this year is Flossy [Lottie’s second child with fiancé Lewis Burton] as she was born in January, so we already have a new member. 

“And we’ve got another new member as our brother’s got a new girlfriend so that will be nice. I think there will be 16 of us in total.” 

A source close to the former One Direction singer and TV presenter confirmed they would be together for Christmas. They added: “Louis and Zara are still totally in the honeymoon period and try not to be apart for too long. 

“Their relationship is serious, it’s not a flash in the pan. It’s going the distance. 

“Zara gets on so well with Louis’ family, especially his sisters, so he wanted her to be there with them, celebrating. 

“They’ve both had work commitments recently so they’re looking forward to spending proper quality time together.” 

Our mole added: “As it’s Louis’ birthday on Christmas Eve, the plan is for Zara to spend that with him and then Christmas Day with the Tomlinsons. After that they will go and see Zara’s family. 

“They both love their families so much, it is something that attracted them to each other, so it will be a Christmas to remember.”