Disney buys Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion

[Snoopy]

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger announced today The Walt Disney Company is acquiring Lucasfilm, the company founded by George Lucas and home to the mega “Star Wars’ franchise. Included in the $4.05 billion purchase are the rights to its franchises, stories, and businesses, including Industrial Light and Magic and Skywalker Sound.

And if that isn’t big enough of a story, it has also been announced that a seventh “Star Wars” film is in development for release in 2015: STAR WARS: EPISODE 7. The announcement states there will be “more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga” in the future. In a conference call, Iger revealed Star Wars Episode 8 and Episode 9 will follow, expecting a new film “every 2-3 years.” Iger also noted Episode 7 is in “early stage development right now.”

Also included in the agreement is the Indiana Jones franchise.

The agreement was signed earlier this morning. Disney is confident they can easily turn a profit on the purchase of Lucasfilm, with Iger noting that Disney will “maximize the value” of Lucasfilm “above and beyond the purchase price.” He further noted, “Disney respects and understands … the importance of iconic characters and what it takes to protect and leverage them effectively.”

Briefly mentioned in the press release (included below) is the link between Lucasfilm and Disney’s worldwide theme parks in Orlando, Anaheim, Paris, Tokyo, and beyond, but no further specific plans to integrate the two are stated. Iger said there are “ample opportunities” to include and/or expand “the presence of this franchise in our parks,” specifically noting Hong Kong Disneyland and the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland. There have long-standing rumors of a “Star Wars Land” to be built in one of Disney’s parks and this acquisition will certainly add gallons of fuel to that fire.

Disney CFO Jay Rasulo added that Disney will increase the value of Star Wars by not only releasing multiple films but also strongly capitalize on consumer products.

Disney buys Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, announces ‘Star Wars: Episode 7′ for 2015, followed by Episodes 8 & 9 | Inside the Magic

[TeamMickey]

I wonder what Star Wars Episodes 7-9 will be about. I also wonder if they will try to do any more Indiana Jones movies. Are they planning on having Lucas be some type of consultant on certain projects or is he out of the picture altogether?

[refurbmike]

My best guess would be that they continue the Han and Leia story, with the Solo kids.

I would assume it would have to be either 1. A random character spin-off or 2. A continuation of the story 30 years later. Otherwise, they're going to have to re-cast all of the major characters.