Well this just exploded the internet (At least the parts that Sandy
hasn't knocked out). Disney has just acquired Lucasfilm for around $4 billion in cash and stock, and they're planning on releasing
Star Wars: Episode VII in 2015, with additional films every 2-3 year. $4 billion is about the same pricetag Disney paid for Marvel Studios three years ago, and less than the $7 billion Disney paid to buy Pixar. This is the kind of news that makes you think it must be April Fools Day, but
it's been confirmed on Disney's blog, and it's all over the news and Twitter is having a field day. Some fans are probably going to wish
Star Wars would be left alone, but the
Clone Wars isn't half bad and the toys just keep selling. George Lucas will serve as a creative consultant for the new films, while longtime Steven Spielberg collaborator Kathleen Kennedy will take over as President of Lucasfilm. I have mixed feeling, but I'm generally optimistic. More
Star Wars films were absolutely inevitable, and the quality is all going to come down to script, director and cast. Fresh blood may be just what
Star Wars needs. Too bad Joss Whedon isn't available.
Still, let's think about this for a minute. The quintessential story of
Star Wars (farmboy rescues princess, is chosen one, saves galaxy) is Disney material. It's not that different from
Aladdin or
Lion King.
Star Wars was a basic Hero's Journey, and it was fundamentally aimed at kids (this being the disconnect between George Lucas and all fans over the age of 12). Disney just pulled off a smash hit with
The Avengers, and if they can produce something that maintains the ideals of the original films on screen, it could be great. Actually, it was summed up best by Felicia Day on Twitter:
So call those people and give
Star Wars fans A New Hope for the future.
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