Well this completely and utterly blindsided me. Disney has bought LucasFilm for 4.05 billion dollars, and is planning to release a new Star Wars movie in 2015. That news is really the extent of what we have so far, and it’s so BIG that I’m not really sure what else there is to add.
Although, after the initial shock wore off, I realized that I didn’t really care much. Good for Disney, I suppose, as they now have an even more lucrative brand in their arsenal. And a new Star Wars? Nine-year-old me would be excited (actually, nine-year-old me was extremely excited by such news), but now? The franchise has exhausted pretty much all its goodwill with me.
But if you’re less jaded by all things lightsabery, then these statements might interest you:
“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said Lucas, chairman and CEO of Lucasfilm, in a statement. “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.”
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” said Bob Iger, Disney chairman and CEO, in a statement. “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.”
May they enjoy their new mountains of money.
