Backstage at last night’s Motion Picture Sound Editors annual Golden Reel Awards in Los Angeles, Kathleen Kennedy spoke to Variety about handing over the reins to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, and how we will fall deeper in love with Grogu “on the big screen”.
Backstage, Kennedy spoke with Variety about the upcoming May release of “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” which she greenlit and also serves as producer. Asked what it was like the first time she heard Grogu (aka Baby Yoda), speak, she shared that the little green guy is “another perfect example of a character that has to emote and you have to feel connected to, and he never speaks a word.”
Kennedy said audiences will fall deeper in love with the popular character “on the big screen, and he never says a word.” She confirmed that, despite Yoda’s oft-quoted broken English, Grogu will not gain the power of speech in the new film.
The exec also reflected on handing over the reins to Lucasfilm in January to longtime deputies Dave Filoni (now president and chief creative officer) and Lynwen Brennan (co-president).
“It didn’t just happen six months ago. I spent 10 years talking Dave into gradually stepping into live action. He had so much experience in animation. He’s so knowledgeable about Star Wars and loves it so much, it’s really been a 10-year mentoring process for both of them. Lynwen came out of Industrial Light & Magic. She was my GM the entire time. I would argue that the transition has been really pretty seamless,” Kennedy said.
Congratulations to Kennedy, who was presented with an honorary award at the ceremony from legendary sound designer Ben Burtt.
Read the interview in full here.
