106 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

http://www.deadline....r-wars-creator/

[thecasinoroyale]

Now THIS is breaking and possibly worrying news...

http://www.foxnews.c...sfilm-for-405b/

Disney is paying $4.05 billion to buy Lucasfilm Ltd., the production company behind "Star Wars," from its chairman and founder, George Lucas. It's also making a seventh movie in the "Star Wars" series
.
The Walt Disney Co. announced the agreement to make the purchase in cash and stock Tuesday. Disney added that "Star Wars Episode 7" is scheduled for release in 2015.

The deal brings Lucasfilm under the Disney banner with other brands including Pixar, Marvel, ESPN and ABC.

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.

Lucas said in a statement, "It's now time for me to pass `Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers."

What will this mean for the future of the Star Wars films - New Jedi Order trilogy?

I sense a disturbance in the Force...

[Dustin]

Mod note: merged.

On topic: did anybody seriously believe that franchise was not going to see further entries?

Edited by Dustin, 30 October 2012 - 08:32 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

Thanks Dustin! The force is strong with you.

My god I didn't see this coming...is it a joke or something or are we ACTUALLY getting Star Wars: Episode VII?!?!

Where are they going to take this - from a select mix of the books? Best bet would be the New Jedi Order series.


God...there's like 30-40 years of material after Episode VI to pick form...this is mental news..I can't get my head around it....!

[S K Y F A L L]

Holy s^&*! This is crazy, I can't believe its happening.

[Harmsway]

On topic: did anybody seriously believe that franchise was not going to see further entries?

Not I. But I didn't think we'd see them so soon, either.

[S K Y F A L L]

So by the time Return Of The Jedi is out in 3D they'll be possibly a new Star Wars movie.

[thecasinoroyale]

I honestly thought that was it - and there would be animated series for the kids, plenty of toys and the muted live TV series. Not Disney taking it over and new films!

I mean... it seems the LuscasFilm 6 are sacred ground now...where will they take this? It's exciting, don't get me wrong but so, so unexpected!

[x007AceOfSpades]

Not that much of a Star Wars fan anymore, grew out of that years ago, thanks to Episode II. Disney will ruin it, they've ruined the Marvel name.

[thecasinoroyale]

Here's the press release guys:

Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, The Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction. Lucasfilm is 100% owned by Lucasfilm Chairman and Founder, George Lucas.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing. The final consideration will be subject to customary post-closing balance sheet adjustments.

"Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "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."

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next," said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm. "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."

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.

Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will become President of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars, working directly with Disney's global lines of business to build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise. Ms. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. 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.

The acquisition combines two highly compatible family entertainment brands, and strengthens the long-standing beneficial relationship between them that already includes successful integration of Star Wars content into Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo.

Driven by a tremendously talented creative team, Lucasfilm's legendary Star Wars franchise has flourished for more than 35 years, and offers a virtually limitless universe of characters and stories to drive continued feature film releases and franchise growth over the long term. Star Wars resonates with consumers around the world and creates extensive opportunities for Disney to deliver the content across its diverse portfolio of businesses including movies, television, consumer products, games and theme parks. Star Wars feature films have earned a total of $4.4 billion in global box to date, and continued global demand has made Star Wars one of the world's top product brands, and Lucasfilm a leading product licensor in the United States in 2011. The franchise provides a sustainable source of high quality, branded content with global appeal and is well suited for new business models including digital platforms, putting the acquisition in strong alignment with Disney's strategic priorities for continued long-term growth.

The Lucasfilm acquisition follows Disney's very successful acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel, which demonstrated the company's unique ability to fully develop and expand the financial potential of high quality creative content with compelling characters and storytelling through the application of innovative technology and multiplatform distribution on a truly global basis to create maximum value. Adding Lucasfilm to Disney's portfolio of world class brands significantly enhances the company's ability to serve consumers with a broad variety of the world's highest-quality content and to create additional long-term value for our shareholders.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Lucasfilm have approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, and other customary closing conditions. The agreement has been approved by the sole shareholder of Lucasfilm.


Wow... Star Wars is coming back!

[Royal Dalton]

I expect Episode VII will star Mark Hamill as an older, Ben Kenobi-type, version of Luke Skywalker.

Oh, and can we have the originals on Blu-ray now, please?

[Dustin]

On topic: did anybody seriously believe that franchise was not going to see further entries?

Not I. But I didn't think we'd see them so soon, either.

Really? I was surprised it took that long. In the end even the most devoted fan can only acquire the films in so many versions, from a certain point onwards it's no longer worth the effort to integrate new gimmicks in old films. Going onward with new material is the only possible direction if that series isn't to become an obscurity as its great inspiration FLASH GORDON is today. Also you can now tap into cameos of the original cast while continuing the story with their descendants.

Edited by Dustin, 30 October 2012 - 08:56 PM.

[S K Y F A L L]

Shocking news indeed! I wonder if Steven Spielberg will finally direct one and if John Williams will return for another film.

I expect Episode VII will star Mark Hamill as an older, Ben Kenobi-type, version of Luke Skywalker.

I suspect your right, he me even die like Kenobi did in 'A New Hope' or Qui Gon in 'The Phantom Menace.'

[stromberg]

How many hands will they get on Indy?

[Harmsway]

How many hands will they get on Indy?

Who knows. I'm not sure what the rights situation looks like with Indiana Jones films, and I suspect Disney doesn't have full control over it. It's telling that the press release doesn't mention the Indiana Jones franchise.

[Dustin]

Interesting question...

[MattofSteel]

That seems ridiculous fast to release a new SW film, but wow. Incredible news overall. There isn't really precedent for this.

[S K Y F A L L]

It didn't say anything about Indy, and if it did they would probably be rushing to make that film too and would have said something about it. I just guessing but if Indy was included in the deal I think the price would be higher.

[thecasinoroyale]

[Hockey Mask]

Never expected this!

Predictions:
1. Disney will improve on what George Lucas had been doing
2. We'll end up with a Star Wars park in Orlando
3. Star Wars will claim and NEVER relinquish the franchise record at the box office

[S K Y F A L L]

THX for posting the video TCR.

This is nuts news, I wasn't expecting this when I came onto CBn.

I can't wait to find out more details about who'll be reprising their role and who'll be directing etc.

[thecasinoroyale]

I know...exciting developments ahead I hope! Now this gives something to help fill gaps between James Bond films!

[Secret007]

I am very excited about this Star Wars: Episode 7 news. And you know this is "official" and not a rumor. George Lucas will be on as a consultant.
I thought I would never live to see the day we would finally get 3 new movies after Return of the Jedi (1983).
This is the greatest news for all STAR WARS fans from 1977 to 1983.

They better pencil in Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford some where. Start your diets.

[thecasinoroyale]

I do hope so - seeing more of the 'classic' films go forward rather than backward.

I think Hamill and Fisher would be up for it if it was the right script, but Ford...I don't know...he always seemed to be happy to leave Star Wars back in 1983 with 'ROTJ'. To be honest, if you've not got any of the original actors in their roles to continue a story arc with new characters, don't bother.

And god...make them more for adults as well, not just the toy-happy children...

[Royal Dalton]

I wouldn't rule out a cameo appearance by Ford.

[007jamesbond]

Star War Episode 7! I think fan would like this but I heard a few year it would happen in 2020......this is great news?

no way a movie can be ready by 2015..........they need a good director writer, composer, actors

[Royal Dalton]

Joe Johnston's the obvious choice to direct it.

[S K Y F A L L]

What about Spielberg?

[007jamesbond]

What about Spielberg?

he be too old to director Star War......consulting role is the better choice

[S K Y F A L L]

So they did get Indiana Jones in the deal;
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/59381