Kathleen Kennedy will step down as president of Lucasfilm after nearly 14 years, Disney announced Thursday. Her tenure, which began in 2012, was marked by both critical and commercial successes, including "The Mandalorian," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," and "Andor," as well as projects that faced criticism, such as "Solo: A Star Wars Story."

Dave Filoni, 51, currently Lucasfilm's chief creative officer, will assume the role of president while retaining his creative responsibilities. Lynwen Brennan, 58, the studio's business affairs and operations chief, will become co-president. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Kennedy, 72, will return to producing, a career she began in 1982 with films such as "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Poltergeist." She is slated to be a lead producer on two upcoming Star Wars movies.

Disney executives offered high praise for Kennedy's leadership. "Kathleen is a visionary," said Robert A. Iger, Disney's chief executive, in a statement. Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, also lauded her contributions.

Lucasfilm is responsible for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. The studio's productions are known for their high budgets and reliance on visual effects. Kennedy's time at Lucasfilm also coincided with increased cultural and political polarization, which often played out in discussions surrounding the Star Wars franchise.

Filoni has been a key creative force at Lucasfilm for many years, known for his work on animated series such as "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels." Brennan has overseen the business and operational aspects of the studio.

The leadership transition comes as Lucasfilm continues to develop new Star Wars movies and television series for Disney+. The studio aims to balance appealing to established fans while also attracting new audiences.