The world of popular culture was rocked when it was announced that Lucasfilm was being sold to Disney for $4 billion. The reaction from social circles was immediate and certainly mixed.
“The series had stagnated creatively,” said Facebook user Chris Goodson. “This could go well…Or not.”
Probably the biggest news that came out of this announcement is the fact that Star Wars: Episode VII is planned for release in 2015. It had long been expected that Episode III: Revenge of the Sith in 2005 was the last live action Star Wars film that would ever be filmed, due to George Lucas’ personal intransigence on the matter.
Lucas will provide story treatments and will be a creative consultant on the new Star Wars films, but will be much more hands off than any Star Wars movie previous, which has led to some wondering if this is the death of the franchise or a rebirth. “People don’t seem to be recognizing that taking Star Wars out of George Lucas’ hands is the best possible thing for the franchise,” Jesse Taylor argued on Twitter.
Beyond the movies, there’s a good chance that Star Wars content will come to the Disney XD cable TV channel and will find parts in Disney’s global theme parks. Kathleen Kennedy, the current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become its president and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.
“The main thing is to protect these characters to make sure they continue to live in the way you created them,” Kennedy said to Lucas.
Source: Reuters
