Disney has scheduled Star Wars Episode VII for 2015 after acquiring LucasFilm for $4.05 billion.
The Walt Disney Company announced on Tuesday that it has scheduled Star Wars Episode VII for 2015 after the company purchased LucasFilm Ltd. from George Lucas for $4.05 billion.
Although Disney announced the new acquisition of LucasFilm on Tuesday through an official press release, Star Wars fans got a huge surprise when they learned that Star Wars Episode VII (episode 7) had already been scheduled for a 2015 release.
The news may come as a shock to fans of Star Wars who thought the franchise on the big screen was all but dead. Obviously Disney has faith in the future of Star wars and is aiming to resurrect one of the most popular movie franchises in history.
Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger issued the following statement regarding the purchase of LucasFilm from director George Lucas.
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas. 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.”
Interestingly, word has it that both Disney and George Lucas had been working on a treatment for Star Wars Episode VII but nothing has been officially confirmed.
The acquisition of LucasFilm throws into question the status of the live action Star Wars television series that had been planned. Will it go ahead?
Although finer details of the deal were not disclosed, George Lucas did issue his own statement about the sale and future of Star Wars.
“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. 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.”
How do you feel about the Disney purchase of LucasFilm? Is it good for the future of Star Wars?