Karl Sander

After 14 years at the helm, Kathleen Kennedy will step down from her role as president of Lucasfilm at the end of the week, according to an announcement from the studio today. Dave Filoni will take over as president while retaining his role as chief creative officer. Lynwen Brennan, President & General Manager of Lucasfilm Business, will become co-president. Kathleen Kennedy’s Leadership and Legacy Kennedy became co-chair of Lucasfilm in 2012, handpicked by George Lucas.

Like many people who read or write for a Star Wars website, I don’t remember life without the saga. I was only about a year and a half when the first film hit theaters; to my ever-lasting regret, my parents elected not to take their infant to see a movie about space wizards and laser swords in 1977. I’d have to wait for a network airing that preempted my usual Friday night viewing, which I vaguely remember was initially upsetting … until that legendary opening shot.

Even when you build an entirely new fictional universe, you need to start somewhere. While Star Wars famously takes place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” its stories and aesthetic draw from cultures around the globe. Using our own diverse world for inspiration has resulted in a vibrant galaxy. Among the many influences the look and feel of Star Wars, Hispanic and Latin cultures have contributed to some of the franchise’s most iconic themes, locales, and details.