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UPDATED: Disney Buys Lucasfilm for $4.05B, Announces Plans for New ‘Star Wars’ Movies

Oct. 30, 2012 4:34pm Becket Adams

Disney announced on Tuesday that it’s buying Lucasfilm Ltd., the company behind the “Star Wars” franchise, from founder and chairman George Lucas, a deal valued at approximately $4.05 billion dollars.

Disney also announced that a seventh “Star Wars” movie, “Episode 7,” is scheduled for release in 2015, “with plans to follow it with Episodes 8 and 9 and then one new movie every two or three years,” according to the Associated Press.

“It’s now time for me to pass ‘Star Wars’ on to a new generation of filmmakers,” Lucas said in a statement announcing the deal. ” 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.”

“The Walt Disney Co. announced the agreement to make the purchase in cash and stock Tuesday,” the AP report adds. “The deal brings Lucasfilm under the Disney banner with other brands including Pixar, Marvel, ESPN and ABC.”

And, no, it’s not an elaborate hoax. Disney is fully committed to the idea of producing multiple “Star Wars” movies.

“Kathleen Kennedy, the current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become its president and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucas will be creative consultant on new ‘Star Wars’ films,” the AP report adds.

From the announcement:

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Lucasfilm, a leader in entertainment, innovation and technology, including its massively popular and “evergreen” Star Wars franchise and its operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, animation, visual effects, and audio post production. Disney will also acquire the substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies that have kept audiences enthralled for many years. Lucasfilm, headquartered in San Francisco, operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound, and the present intent is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations.

[...]

Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future.

Lucas himself seems pretty excited about the deal.

“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,” the franchise creator said.

“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,” he added.

Exit Question: Does this mean Leia is now technically a Disney princess?

UPDATE: In a video released on Tuesday, Lucas revealed that he has “story treatments” for at least three more episodes.

What could possibly go wrong? Oh, that’s right:

Click here to read the full press release.

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Comments (94)

I Aint PC
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:36pm
Is George Lucas going to give ANY of that $4 billion to charity or to help “social” programs. He said he did not like the Capitalist system a few months back. He supports President Hussein. Is Obama going to go to Lucas with his hand out and tell George that “he did not build that?”

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- Jaycen
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:30pm
  I don’t care what he does with his money. I just hope he’s never allowed to touch anything with the Star Wars logo again. That guy’s a twit.
  
  Report this comment
- khandahar&jalalabad
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:43pm
  Amen Jaycen, but i hope it’s not a lateral move. Have you seen John Carter?
  
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- Pigpen
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:17am
  No kidding. Lucas revealed that he modeled the Rebel Alliance on the Viet Cong, the Force was just the side-effects of a bad bacterial infection, and Jar Jar Binks was an heroic, inner-city, ethnic minority.
  
  YAWN!
  
  I think I’ll just stay home with the kids and watch Harry Potter videos. Sorry, Disney, but Star Wars SUCKS!
  
  Report this comment
- johnjamison
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 7:57am
  Oh great now Disney can beat what is a cinematic Icon into the ground like a it’s beats every other dead horse.
  
  Report this comment
- black9897
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:58am
  I lost a lot of respect for him. How could he do this? I mean it’s star wars? It’s like the only sacred thing that the movies had left. It doesn’t matter. It wont’ count as Star wars whatever they make. It’s done, over with it. We all know what the true Star Wars movie are…1-6 that’s it!
  
  Report this comment
- ObamaForward_OverTheCliff
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:08pm
  WHO IS GEORGE LUCAS?
  
  George Lucas Is Ready to Roll the Credits
  “I’m a ’60s, West Coast, liberal, radical, artsy, dyed-in-the-wool 99 percenter before there was such a thing.”
  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/magazine/george-lucas-red-tails.html?pagewanted=all
  
  George Lucas Confirms It: The Star Wars We Loved Never Existed
  “Now everything is starting to come into clarity. Today is a bit like the day we learn that Santa Claus is your parents, socialism stops working when rich people’s money runs out, and a BA qualifies you for a $10 entry-level job that you could’ve gotten just out of high school.”
  http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2012/02/10/george-lucas-confirms-it-the-star-wars-we-loved-never-existed/
  
  The Politics of Star Wars
  “It was the idea that we had a President who genuinely saw himself as not subject to the rule of law. “Imperialist Presidency” gets bandied around a lot by both sides of the political spectrum, but everyone was worried that Nixon was setting one up. And what did Lucas write against this backdrop? He wrote a story about a democracy that had become an Empire, with a ruler who (all together now) “dissolved the council permanently”.”
  http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2012/03/05/the-politics-of-star-wars/
  
  [cue "Darth Vader theme"]
  
  Report this comment
southernORcobra
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:35pm
OH good god no this is the end times THE END TIMES!!!!!

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- tonypro
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:48pm
  The headline should read ” Liberal Co. expands it’s control on spewing propaganda in America”
  
  What a shame, I used to love disney as a child, but can’t stomach what they’ve become now.
  
  Report this comment
- republitarian
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:52pm
  It’ll be okay. It’s just not the Star Wars that you used to know.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUX7MFgT9wc
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:08pm
  When Walt passed away, so did Mickey. Ben the rat took over.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:16pm
  The veil of the Dark Side has fallen. Into exile, we must go.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Pointy_End
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:02pm
  @tonypro
  Pixar (also owned by Disney) is just as bad as its parent company…..remember the movie Wall-e. That movie was so bad, I want the 90 minutes of my time back I wasted watching that propaganda piece.
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:53am
  “remember the movie Wall-e. That movie was so bad”
  Wow. I still never cease to be surprised how vocal (hopefully) minority complainers can have such reactions lol. I thought WALL-E was brilliant, and very enjoyable. Top-level sci-fi.
  
  I get the propoganda point, but then that’s par for the course in sci-fi. The movie itself was very good.
  
  Report this comment
TelepromoterNChief
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:32pm
I’m good with this aquisition.

Lucas needs to be reminded that he didn’t build that though.

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TelepromoterNChief
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:30pm
I’d like to have a new Star Wars Holiday Special with the original cast alive or CGI.

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thegodfather
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:16pm
Oh Crap! There will be lines of kids, living in their parents basement, camping out in front of theatres around the country by the end of the week, waiting for the movie release.

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Thordomr
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:12pm
I’d like to know how they do change a story that is almost completely about freedom and make it into the utopian commune of star trek. You have to disarm all the character since there is an open carry. You’ll have to get rid of the elected senators and have only a dictator. You’d have to basically make the bad guys, the Empire, the good guys.

I can unfortunately see it now, a story from the empire’s prospective on how the terrorist rebels ruined everything and how the empire was just misunderstood.

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SIXFRIGATES
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:09pm
Can they remake the first 3 episodes please?

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- Your Name Here
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:20pm
  Yes, and use Obama as the evil Emperor and both houses of Congress as the henchmen.
  Biden as Jar Jar. The death star would look like the dome of the capitol.
  
  Report this comment
- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:35pm
  I believe Valerie Jarrett would be more appropriate in the role of evil emperor.
  
  Report this comment
- normalmom
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:35pm
  Why?
  
  Report this comment
- politicpunk
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:52pm
  The new movies were AWESOME! Why ruin what are much better movies than the first three (New Hope ext) Just because a few people do not like them for whatever wrongheaded reason.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Pointy_End
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:09pm
  @2minutestomidnight
  
  I agree Obama is Darth Vader doing the bidding of Valerie Jarrett the Emperor. Note: Obama cannot talk without a teleprompter. That is not a man speaking his own mind, doing his own bidding.
  
  Report this comment
bonesiii
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:07pm
YES! Of course, we’ll see as to quality, but there’s something subjective to that anyways, as seen by the vocal few who claim not to enjoy 1, 2, 3.

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chips1
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:04pm
A new Darth Vader? Obama won’t need a mask for that one!!!!

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- U.N.hater
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:09pm
  Moochelles DNA tests results are in.http://www.wnd.com/2012/10/bigfoot-does-exist-claim-scientists/?cat_orig=diversions
  
  Report this comment
- BrownWaterVet
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:11pm
  COOOL!!! Just look at how much money Obama can collect in taxes from this deal.
  
  Semper Fortis
  
  Report this comment
KickinBack
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:55pm
Now if only they can get Kevin Smith to write and direct them…

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:54pm
Funny the timing when Glenn was speaking of Star Wars 7, 8, 9 today on the show eh?

Guess we will see Obama fighting Micky Mouse and Donald Duck with Goofey portrayed in place of Obi-wan-kenobi.

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- bikermailman
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:35pm
  Even funnier, I was listening to Glenn’s podcast (about 5 pm) while reading the story and comments over at Ace of Spades blog. Some very punny comments there. I had to do a double take on the time this story was released, thinking Glenn knew about it beforehand. Once more, Glenn and company have the gift of prophecy. Seriously, there are scads of books that have been written, would be great for source material. If they can keep Lucas out of it, they could bring back the magic that Lucas screwed up so badly with Episodes I-III.
  
  Report this comment
Clever Username
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:51pm
Maybe they can digitally insert Micky Mouse into the Han/Greedo scene and Mickey will now shoot first

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Valkaneer
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:50pm
I was hoping for a real I, II, and III. Jar Jar = garbage. Hayden Christensen – could this guy be any worse????

+1 for Ewan McGregor and +1 for Liam Neeson. Hey at least Lucas wasn’t dumb enough to put Nsync in it like he planed to.

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- Valkaneer
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:53pm
  Also +1 for Darth Maul / Ray Park. He did a pretty nice job, but had to small of a role.
  
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Red herring
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:50pm
I liked this comment from another news blog:
“I felt a great disturbance in the Force… as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror”

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- dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:31pm
  i was one of them. But ol George didn’t exactly do the last 3 films justice so maybe it will be an improvement.
  
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- bikermailman
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:37pm
  Disney can’t do a worse job than Lucas. But then, I keep thinking Obama can’t get any worse, so don’t trust my instincts.
  
  Report this comment
freedom_gurl35
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:50pm
If there is one movie series that does not need to be continued, it’s the “Star Wars” saga. Episodes 1, 2, and 3 are proof of that.

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Thordomr
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:50pm
Please, please, please, please, please don’t led George have any say at all. If you mess them up please do it on your own because if he has any say in any of it, you’ll not have a chance to get it right.

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floridareader
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:49pm
Since Disney emporium turned its back against America’s pride and self reliance tradition, and decided to be Obama’s supporter and Moochelle’s followers, they will give a twist to the original Star Wars.
The new Obi-Wan Kenobi will be a member of the Black Panther Party.
George Soros will be himself (due to his resemblance of emperor Palpatine
Obama will be Luke Skywalker, the savior of the galaxy, along with his sister (Moochelle).
And the death star will be a place somehow very similar to America that is being destroyed.

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- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:56pm
  And Bawney Fwank as Jabba the Hut.
  
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- floridareader
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:20pm
  He would be perfect! :)
  
  Report this comment
- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:39pm
  2Minutes,
  
  It’s clear that Jabba The Hutt is Michael Moore.
  
  Report this comment
- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:52pm
  GBTVFAN: Although Michael Moore is a good suggestion, please imagine Bawney saying:
  
  “Bwing me Sowo and the Wookiee. They wiwl awll suffew fow this outwage.”
  
  Report this comment
- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:12pm
  Ohhh thanks!!!, now I can’t eat within the next 5 hours thanks to that image. So now, you please imagine that blob of Michael Moore spread all over his old and stinky couch, shirtless (No shower/bath the last week), butter on his lips, some Cheetos on his belly, dozens of empty pizza boxes and chicken buckets on the floor, stains of milkshake and BBQ sauce on his chin, hands and arms….
  
  Report this comment
lefthook37
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:48pm
I know it ill be green…..!!!!!

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TheEDGE
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:43pm
“It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of film makers.”
You’re three films late on that decision, George.

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- floridareader
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:57pm
  The best way to pass it on to next generations is for parents to keep a digital copy of the six movies and never take their children to watch the “new” Star War movies.
  
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justangry
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:42pm
Great now my Jedi knights are even going to be commies.

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- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:01pm
  AND they will speak Esperanto!
  
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randy
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:41pm
Well that’s surely one movie I will never see.

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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:39pm
Star Wars, the really never ending story.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:59pm
  Episode 7 – Return of the Dependies
  
  After blowing up the Death Star, killing the emperor and partying with midget wookies, Leia, Han and Luke become very old and begin the new age of Depends. Opening scene, old folks home on Tatooine. “Luke……Luke….Luke”
  
  HAN SOLO: Shut up Luke, you senile old womp rat.
  LEIA: Why is it so drafty and cold?????
  CHEWIE: Rououoarruughhhgwrwoouououssttthhhhhhttttt.
  HAN: Leia, Chewie said you forgot to get dressed again, put some clothes on, your liver spots are grossing him out.
  LUKE: “Luke….Luke…..Time for dinner. I am a Jedi Knight you know, back in my day, I would have choked you with my fingers.
  Leia: Luke, stop it, every time you use the force, we have to change your diapers.
  R2D2: doop doop doop doop
  3PO: Oh dear, R2 says there is a recording conflict, which program do you want to record, Jersey Shore or Matlock?
  
  EVERYONE: MATLOCK, and later Murder She Wrote.
  
  Episode 8: The Bedpan Strikes Back
  
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- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:58pm
  @ Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  
  LMAO !!!
  
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Cavallo
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:39pm
Can they really mess it up any more than George Lucas already has?

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- chips1
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:14pm
  George Lucas grabbed the money and ran. The government will rush in and bail them out. It’s the kiss of death.
  
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- Berbel73
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:43pm
  Disney is the same company that just brought us John Carter this past spring, so yes, yes they can!
  
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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:01pm
  Three words….Jar Jar Binks.
  
  Report this comment
TheReasonableLib
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:39pm
Dear God no.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:32pm
  Question: What did Moochelle say when Barrack asked if she went all the way down?
  
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KickinBack
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:37pm
Well, they can’t do any worse than Lucas did with the last Star Wars movies.

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