Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most influential and powerful figures in the film industry. As a producer and president of Lucasfilm, she has been involved in some of the most iconic and successful franchises of all time, such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. However, her career has also been marked by controversies and challenges, especially in recent years. In this article, we will explore how her involvement in the Indiana Jones franchise has shaped her success and challenges in the film industry.
Her beginnings as a co-founder of Amblin Entertainment
Kathleen Kennedy began her career as a secretary for John Milius, a screenwriter and director who worked with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. She soon caught the attention of Spielberg, who hired her as his assistant and later his associate producer. In 1981, she co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Spielberg and Frank Marshall, who would become her husband and long-time collaborator. Her first film as a producer was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), which became a worldwide phenomenon and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
At Amblin Entertainment, Kennedy also collaborated with Spielberg and Marshall on the first three Indiana Jones films: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), The Temple of Doom (1984) and The Last Crusade (1989). These films were hugely successful and established Indiana Jones as one of the most beloved and iconic characters in cinema history. Kennedy also produced or executive produced other popular films such as The Goonies (1985), Back to the Future (1985), The Color Purple (1985) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). She established herself as one of the most successful and respected producers in Hollywood, with a knack for finding and nurturing talent, managing budgets and schedules, and delivering high-quality entertainment.
Her peak points as a co-founder of The Kennedy/Marshall Company and president of Lucasfilm
In 1991, Kennedy and Marshall left Amblin Entertainment to form their own production company, The Kennedy/Marshall Company. They continued to produce or executive produce numerous blockbuster films such as Jurassic Park (1993), Schindler's List (1993), The Sixth Sense (1999), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and Lincoln (2012). Kennedy received eight Best Picture Academy Award nominations for her work, more than any other woman in history. She also received the Irving G. Thalberg Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2018, an honor given to producers whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production.
In 2012, Kennedy became the president of Lucasfilm after Disney acquired the company for $4.2 billion from George Lucas, who handpicked her as his successor. She oversaw the development, production and release of projects such as the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which continued the story of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo; the Star Wars standalone films, which explored new characters and stories within the galaxy far, far away; the Star Wars series for Disney+, which expanded the Star Wars universe to new platforms and audiences; and the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones series, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), which will mark the return of Harrison Ford as the adventurous archaeologist.
Her downfall with Dial of Destiny
However, Kennedy's tenure at Lucasfilm has not been without criticism and backlash from fans and critics. Many have expressed dissatisfaction with her creative decisions regarding the Star Wars franchise, such as the controversial plot twists, character arcs, diversity issues and director changes that occurred throughout the sequel trilogy. Some have accused her of disrespecting or disregarding the legacy and vision of George Lucas, while others have praised her for bringing fresh perspectives and innovations to the franchise.
Kennedy has also struggled to maintain the quality and consistency of the Star Wars films and series, resulting in mixed reviews, lower box office returns and fan boycotts. Some projects have been cancelled or postponed due to creative differences or production problems. The most notable example was The Rise of Skywalker (2019), which was widely regarded as a disappointing finale to a 42-year-old story that spanned nine films. The film received criticism for its rushed pacing, convoluted plot, retconning of previous events and lack of coherence with the rest of the sequel trilogy.
Kennedy has also faced rumors and speculation about her possible departure from Lucasfilm or replacement by other executives such as Jon Favreau or Dave Filoni, who have been praised for their work on The Mandalorian, a Star Wars series for Disney+ that has received critical acclaim and fan approval. However, Kennedy has denied these rumors and stated that she plans to stay at Lucasfilm for the foreseeable future. She has also expressed confidence and excitement about the upcoming projects, especially Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which she considers as a personal passion project.
However, Dial of Destiny may also be Kennedy's biggest gamble and risk as a producer and president of Lucasfilm. The film has been plagued by delays, injuries, script rewrites and fan skepticism. It was originally scheduled to be released in 2019, but it has been pushed back several times due to various reasons, such as the departure of original director Steven Spielberg, the coronavirus pandemic, the injury of Harrison Ford on set and the need for more polishing and editing. The film is now slated to be released in July 2023, almost 15 years after the previous installment, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), which was also met with mixed reactions from fans and critics.
Many have questioned whether Kennedy can deliver a satisfying and successful Indiana Jones film that can appeal to both old and new generations of fans, especially given her track record with the Star Wars franchise. Some have also wondered whether Harrison Ford, who will be 81 years old by the time of the film's release, can still convincingly portray the iconic character or whether he should pass the torch to a younger actor. Kennedy has stated that Ford is irreplaceable as Indiana Jones and that the film will honor his legacy and character. She has also promised that the film will be fun, thrilling and adventurous, with a strong story and a talented cast and crew.
Conclusion
Kathleen Kennedy is a remarkable producer who has been involved in some of the most influential and successful films of all time. Her involvement in the Indiana Jones franchise has shaped her success and challenges in the film industry, from her beginnings as a co-founder of Amblin Entertainment to her peak points as a co-founder of The Kennedy/Marshall Company and president of Lucasfilm to her downfall with Dial of Destiny. She has faced criticism and backlash from fans and critics for her creative decisions regarding the Star Wars franchise, which have overshadowed her achievements and contributions to the film industry. She has also gambled on reviving the Indiana Jones franchise with Dial of Destiny, which may either redeem her or tarnish her legacy and reputation as a producer.
As a producer and president of Lucasfilm, Kennedy has a lot of responsibility and power over some of the most beloved and iconic franchises in cinema history. She also has a lot of potential and opportunity to create new stories and characters that can inspire and entertain audiences around the world. She may not be able to please everyone or avoid mistakes, but she can learn from them and improve her situation. She can also collaborate with other talented and passionate filmmakers who share her vision and respect her experience. She can also listen to constructive feedback from fans and critics who care about the franchises she oversees. Ultimately, she can use her skills, creativity and passion to produce high-quality films that can honor the legacy of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones.
