Groundbreaking news, Star Wars fans! Deadline Hollywood reports taht Disney has just confirmed that it has agreed to acquire George Lucas‘ Lucasfilm Ltd. This deal includes rights to the Star Wars franchise, which will now, in true Disney fashion, add an installment. Not only have the companies estimated a 2015 release for Episode 7 of the iconic series, but they also plan to release Episodes 8, 9, and new movies every two or three years. The intergalactic adventure will never end, if Disney has their way. Whether that is a good or bad thing remains to be seen.
Disney had this to say about the upcoming releases: “The last Star Wars movie release was 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith – and we believe there’s substantial pent-up demand.”
This $4.05 billion deal also includes rights to the Indiana Jones franchise–who knows, there might be more to come in that series as well.
The companies have said that the additional Star Wars movies woudl be executive produced by Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, and Lucas would serve as a creative consultant. There have been no reports of possible plot or relation to the chronology in these new films. Kennedy will become president of Lucasfilm and she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars.
George Lucas made these remarks regarding the deal:
“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”
What do you think of this big new deal?
