Hollywood’s Power Play: Kathleen Kennedy’s Oscar Campaign for Bob Iger
If you’ve ever watched Star Wars, you know the Force is this invisible energy that certain gifted folks tap into for incredible powers. Well, in Hollywood, the Force is called something else: leverage. And Kathleen Kennedy, the powerhouse president of Lucasfilm, knows exactly how to wield it — especially when it comes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
The Push for an Honorary Oscar
Inside Hollywood’s glittering world, insiders are buzzing about Kennedy’s behind-the-scenes campaign to secure an Honorary Oscar for her boss, Disney CEO Bob Iger. According to sources close to the matter, Kennedy has been quietly lobbying key Academy board members, urging them to consider Iger for one of the coveted annual honorary awards. This is big, because while Iger is a giant in the entertainment business, no top executive has ever received this particular honorary Oscar before.
Why Bob Iger? Well, his legacy in Hollywood is nothing short of legendary. He’s the man who turned Disney into an unstoppable media juggernaut by acquiring Marvel, Pixar, and yes, Lucasfilm itself. His vision helped Disney rake in billions at the box office, reshaping the landscape of blockbuster cinema.
Hollywood’s Power Moves: More Than Just Prestige
But here’s the twist — while many agree Iger absolutely deserves the honor on merit alone, some Academy insiders are feeling a bit uneasy about the optics. Disney owns ABC, the longtime broadcaster of the Oscars. This connection has raised eyebrows among a few board members who see a potential conflict of interest. The Academy is currently in delicate talks to extend its broadcast deal with ABC through 2028, coinciding with the 100th Academy Awards. So, handing a special Oscar to the Disney CEO during this period feels, to some, like mixing business with awards politics.
Adding to the intrigue, sources reveal that Bob Iger himself wasn’t involved in this push. Kennedy’s efforts were all her own initiative — he neither requested the honor nor knew about the lobbying. According to an insider familiar with AMPAS’ workings, it’s not unusual for Academy members to campaign on behalf of honorary Oscar hopefuls, but Kennedy’s high-profile involvement has made some folks curious about her motives.
A Spotlight on Kathleen Kennedy’s Career and Influence
Speaking of Kennedy, her own career is nothing short of fascinating. She’s been at the helm of Lucasfilm since Disney acquired the company in 2012 for a cool $4 billion. Under her watch, the Star Wars universe has seen some major highs and notable lows.
The good: Kennedy has skillfully transitioned the beloved saga into the streaming era, delivering hits like The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka — shows that have energized longtime fans and attracted new audiences. Films like The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi broke box office records and kept the franchise in the cultural spotlight.
The not-so-good: Some projects didn’t land as well, such as Solo, which bombed at the box office. And despite all the buzz around new shows and films, Lucasfilm hasn’t launched a brand-new Star Wars movie since 2019 — except for an upcoming Mandalorian feature starring Pedro Pascal. There’s also the much-anticipated Starfighter movie with Ryan Gosling in the works, but it’s still in early casting phases.
What’s Next for Kathleen Kennedy?
Kennedy’s future at Lucasfilm has been the subject of swirling rumors all year. Back in February, Variety reported that she might step down from her leadership role in 2025 to return to producing, though other reports suggested she could leave earlier. Kennedy herself has kept things vague — saying she’s leading her own succession planning but isn’t stepping away anytime soon.
Her influence in Hollywood is undeniable. Not only has she been nominated for eight Oscars herself, but she also won the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 2011 — a special Governors Award she received alongside her life and work partner, Frank Marshall. Kennedy’s producing credits include some of Steven Spielberg’s most iconic films like E.T. and The Color Purple, plus hits like The Sixth Sense and Seabiscuit.
The Governors Awards and Honorary Oscars
Here’s a little background on the Honorary Oscars Kennedy is pushing for Iger. These awards are handed out each year during the Governors Awards ceremony, a special event separate from the main Oscars telecast. Past recipients include cinematic legends like Jean-Luc Godard, Lauren Bacall, Samuel L. Jackson, David Lynch, and Mel Brooks.
The Academy is expected to announce the recipients for 2025’s Governors Awards very soon, adding an extra layer of suspense to this story.
Why This Matters: A Few Key Takeaways
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Hollywood’s Inner Politics: The Academy isn’t just about talent — it’s a chessboard of power plays and political maneuvers, with big studios like Disney pulling strings.
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The Power of Legacy: Bob Iger’s impact on Hollywood is massive, from blockbuster acquisitions to reshaping how studios operate globally.
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Kennedy’s Influence: As a female executive at the top of one of the biggest franchises ever, Kathleen Kennedy has quietly become one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures — and knows how to use that leverage.
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Award Season Drama: Beyond the glitz, the Oscars’ honorary awards reveal the delicate dance of influence and optics that shape Hollywood’s biggest night.
Fun Fact
Did you know the honorary Oscars don’t come with a traditional Oscar statue? Instead, Kennedy’s Thalberg Award is a special trophy given to producers for their outstanding contributions to film. Still, it’s a huge deal in the industry and puts recipients in a legendary club.
In the ever-spinning galaxy of Hollywood power, the saga of Kathleen Kennedy lobbying for Bob Iger’s Honorary Oscar might be the most fascinating story behind the scenes right now. It’s a story of legacy, influence, and yes — a little bit of the Force.
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