In a surprising but highly exciting development is has just been announced that Disney is to acquire Lucasfilm in a $4.05 billion deal. Lucasfilm is owned 100% by founder and genius film maker George Lucas – the man who created the Star Wars movie empire.
This announcement brings some very welcome news for Star Wars fans. There will be a Star Wars 7 movie set for release in 2015.
Disney’s Chief Executive Bob Iger “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including ‘Star Wars,’ one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value”.
Disney has of course made some major movie real estate acquisitions in recent times including Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion and more recently in 2009 Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. Pixar was of course part of Lucasfilm until George Lucas sold Pixar to Steve Jobs back in 1986. Now both companies will be part of the Disney Corporation.
The Disney acquisition is the culmination of George Lucas’ plan for the legacy of the ground breaking company that he built. He announced that he would retire and named Kathleen Kennedy as his successor. She will now become president of Disney’s Lucasfilm unit and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.
Most excitingly for Star Wars fans is the announcement that there will be not only a new movie in 2015 but also that there are plans to release even more in the future.
George Lucas said in a statement:
“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.”
The difficult of choosing a line of succession is difficult in any company, but for George Lucas the task must have been an enormous one. We believe that he has found a company who will look after and take this amazing brand even further.
Star Wars is already a great part of the Disney parks with Star Tours being one of the most popular and innovative Disney rides.
The potential of Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm are huge. We have many times speculated that a Star Wars Land in one of the Disney parks would be an amazing addition to the theme parks. Universal has taken the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and created a truly magical world, Disney is developing Avatar Land, but just imagine a Star Wars themed land!
This of course is just a dream at the moment but what would you like to see there? What land far far away would you like to have in a Disney theme park?
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.
Disney World Star Wars Weekends 2013 – EverythingMouse
Friday 28th of December 2012
[...] result of the recent announcement that Disney is to take over the Lucasfilm company. As we reported Disney is to acquire Lucasfilm and surely in future years this can only mean great things for the Star Wars [...]
Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm | DisneyDigest
Tuesday 30th of October 2012
[...] Disney-related information!Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm EverythingMouse / Posted on: October 30, 2012EverythingMouse – In a surprising but highly exciting development is has just been announced that Disney is [...]