An official announcement was released earlier this afternoon by Disney, over a deal with Lucasfilms to purchase the company for approximately $4.08 billion. Under the terms of the deal, George Lucas (sole owner of Lucasfilms) will be paid half in cash, and half in Disney stocks. Along with this comes word that serious development for another trilogy in the “Star Wars” universe has begun, with Star Wars VII currently scheduled for release in 2015.
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” Disney CEO Robert Iger said 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.”
From this purchase, Disney will not only acquire Lucasfilm but also LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound. Plans are that all Lucasfilm employees will be staying in the position that they are in now, excluding Kathleen Kennedy, currently co-chairman of Lucasfilm, who became president of the company. This acquisition, however, will not affect the production and development of Star Wars 1313, and quite possibly the rumored Star Wars: Frontline Assault. According to Iger, Star Wars’ television properties – including ‘Robot Chicken’ co-creators Seth Green and Matt Seinrich’s Star Wars: Detours – will now be hosted on the Disney XD channel, in a similar arrangement to Disney’s current Marvel lineup of animated programming.
(Source: TheWaltDisneyCompany, via Forbes)
Report filed by Rakan Stanbouly