Disney has announced it's buying Lucasfilm Ltd. -- including the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises -- from founder George Lucas for $4 billion. The news is being widely reported in the financial media this afternoon.
As if that weren't mind-blowing enough, there's this: "Star Wars Episode 7" is now targeted for release in 2015, and more feature films are expected, The Wall Street Journal reported. Disney chief executive Bob Iger said the plan is to release a new feature film every two or three years thereafter, Reuters reported.
"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," Iger said in a statement.
Disney shared video of George Lucas and Bob Iger talking about the announcement.
The New York Times said the move gives Disney "a commanding position in the fantasy world of film." It also noted that Disney's annoucement took Hollywood and Wall Street by surprise.
"C-3PO does not answer to Wall-E," humorist Alexandra Petri wrote in the Washington Post. "Minnie Mouse is just creepy, and I don’t want her fraternizing with any of the giant menagerie of characters I’ve come to know and love. And get those dopey pre-feminist Princesses away from Leia."
Of course, it's too late to wish for no fraternizing. Disney already has Star Wars-themed rides at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and Star Wars weekends at Hollywood Studios. It has also done some creative merchandising around Star Wars, including the awesome Carbon Freeze Me, which put you in place of Han Solo, encased in carbonite.
What else do you think Disney should do with the Star Wars franchise?
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