Disney just enter into an understanding to purchase Lucasfilm for $ 4.05 billion . The plan is to make Star Wars Episode 7 , which is presently slate for sack in 2015 . And that ’s just the beginning . Some fanboys might moan , but if you love Star Wars , this is exciting !
concord to the deal , Disney is acquiring the whole Lucasfilm shebang from George Lucas , who still owns 100 - per centum of the company . In addition to massive properties like Star Wars , Disney will also get Lucasfilm ’s tremendously profitable cinema technology and merchandising companies including Lucasfilm Ltd. , LucasArts , Industrial Light & Magic , and Skywalker Sound .
Kathleen Kennedy , current Co - Chairman of Lucasfilm , will become President of Lucasfilm . She ’ll report directly to Walt Disney Studios tribal chief Alan Horn . Kennedy , who was manifestly “ mitt - picked ” by Lucas , will executive director produce the young Star Wars film . George Lucas will rest a “ originative consultant ” on the task .
Yes , we said films . Many films . This deal is all about Star Wars and the unstoppable juggernaut that it is . Walt Disney ’s program poke out far beyond Episode 7 . From Disney CEO and Chairman Robert A. Iger’sprepared remarksto investor on a call today :
In 2015 , we ’re planning to unloosen Star Wars Episode 7 – the first lineament moving-picture show under the “ Disney - Lucasfilm ” brand . That will be follow by Episodes 8 and 9 – and our long - term program is to issue a new Star Wars boast picture show every two to three years .
In other Bible , as with the acquirement of Pixar in 2006 and Marvel in 2009 before , Disney want to leverage the brand for its cultural capital , and hard cash in on Star Wars . It ’s already a massive multi - film franchise with lunch box , neckties , and toy . But it could be so much more .
And that ’s where this deal starts to get pretty exciting . A lot of hard-core Star Wars fans are going to see all the negatives right away . This is very lame , they ’ll say , because , you know , Disney . Disney is colossally uncool . But consider how well Toy Story 3 and the Avengers flex out . They were freaking awesome . Disney ’s lead record in recent days has been immaculate .
Now , think about what George Lucas has done in recent old age to our beloved Star Wars enfranchisement . It ’s been nothing but stagnant rehashing . We do n’t need a new Blu - re of The Return of the Jedi . We call for something immense and impressive . Lucas just was n’t subject of it any more , but maybe Disney is . At least here , we ’ve got a prospect for a Star Wars movie wrick liberal of George Lucas ’ hubris .
Lucas ’ wordsfrom the releaseooze the resignation of a adult male who know he did his best work long ago :
It ’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of film maker . I ’ve always believed that Star Wars could be beyond me , and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my life .
Plus , Iger hint at a Star Wars theme park material ? Can we suggest a TIE hero hair curler coaster , please ? Now we ’re talking . [ Disney ]
Star Wars
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