Update 6:00 pm EST: Want to hear the news straight from George Lucas and Disney CEO Bob Iger? Check out what the two of them have to say about the big Star Wars news in the video below.
Update 5:39 pm EST: Disney CEO Bob Iger has made a statement saying that not only are we getting Star Wars: Episode 7, but we are getting two more after that. “Episode 7 will be released in 2015, the first under the Disney/Lucas banner,” he said, adding that Episodes 8 and Episode 9 would follow, “every two to three years.” He also said that they would be adding the Star Wars brand to their theme parks.
It’s not just film. TV is also on the docket. “We love the fact that this will take its place in our live-action strategy as a known and loved brand,” he said. “We really like Star Wars’ potential on TV, and Disney XD would be a great home for that.”
Update 5:05 pm EST: George Lucas said in a statement, ”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.”
In the biggest movie news of the last zillion years, we’re getting a new Star Wars film! This is not a pre-Halloween prank. Deadline is reporting that Star Wars: Episode 7 is slated to be released in 2015 after news that Disney has just purchased for a whopping $4.05 billion dollars.
Return of the Jedi
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of Disney, said in a statement.“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.”
I, like so many of you am not a fan of the prequels, but the idea of another Star Wars film fills me with so much joy that I think my little geek heart is going to explode. What will the purchase mean for the franchise? Let’s ask Marvel about their insane success after Disney purchased them. I’m hoping this means wonderful things. Are you guys freaking out yet?
