Entertainment
giant is planning a new trilogy in the legendary franchise that began
with the original "Star Wars" movie in 1977, while Lucas himself said
that "the time for me to get Star Wars to a new generation of
filmmakers."
"Star Wars 7" will be released in 2015, "with more feature films are expected to continue the saga of Star Wars franchise and grow in the future," said Disney, announcing a deal to buy an innovative production company Lucasfilm.
In a conference call with investors, Disney said it plans a new trilogy of films eight and nine, and then a "Star Wars" films will be made every two or three years.
Deal "brings together a world-class portfolio of content, including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with a unique and unparalleled creativity of Disney," said Disney chief Robert Iger.
"Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and the history of its founder, George Lucas," said Iger, head of the global entertainment giant Disney, which is based in Burbank, near Los Angeles.
The transaction is valued at $ 4.05 billion - based on the current share price - with Disney to pay about half in cash and issue approximately 40 million shares at the closing price. Lucasfilm is 100 percent owned by Lucas.
Lucas, who runs his company from its base in San Francisco, said: "Over the last 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures was to see Star Wars is passed from one generation to another.
"It's time for me to get Star Wars to a new generation of filmmakers. I always thought Star Wars could not live without me, and I thought it was important to create a transition in my life."
The first "Star Wars" movie came out in 1977, and there were two of the trilogy - three films and three prequels 1977-1983 from 1999-2005 - while the brand has expanded into theme parks and great hands merchandising.
The film earned some $ 4.4 billion in global box office for the past 35 years, and offer a "virtually limitless universe of characters and stories, continuing to ride the film's release," said Disney.
"The franchise provides a steady source of high quality, branded content with a global appeal and is well suited for new business models, including digital platforms," he added.
The acquisition comes after the absorption of the Disney Pixar animated film and comic book character-driven giant Marvel Studios.
The proposals had been "demonstrated the unique capabilities of the company to fully develop and expand the financial capacity of a high-quality creative content with compelling characters and stories," said Disney.
Lucas will be succeeded as head of Lucasfilm his current co-chair, Kathleen Kennedy, who will report to Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement Disney.
"I am confident that under the leadership of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy, and a new house in the Disney organization, Star Wars, of course, to live and thrive for many generations," said Lucas.
"Reach Disney and Lucasfilm experience give the opportunity to break new paths in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, entertainment and consumer goods," he added.
"Star Wars 7" will be released in 2015, "with more feature films are expected to continue the saga of Star Wars franchise and grow in the future," said Disney, announcing a deal to buy an innovative production company Lucasfilm.
In a conference call with investors, Disney said it plans a new trilogy of films eight and nine, and then a "Star Wars" films will be made every two or three years.
Deal "brings together a world-class portfolio of content, including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with a unique and unparalleled creativity of Disney," said Disney chief Robert Iger.
"Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and the history of its founder, George Lucas," said Iger, head of the global entertainment giant Disney, which is based in Burbank, near Los Angeles.
The transaction is valued at $ 4.05 billion - based on the current share price - with Disney to pay about half in cash and issue approximately 40 million shares at the closing price. Lucasfilm is 100 percent owned by Lucas.
Lucas, who runs his company from its base in San Francisco, said: "Over the last 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures was to see Star Wars is passed from one generation to another.
"It's time for me to get Star Wars to a new generation of filmmakers. I always thought Star Wars could not live without me, and I thought it was important to create a transition in my life."
The first "Star Wars" movie came out in 1977, and there were two of the trilogy - three films and three prequels 1977-1983 from 1999-2005 - while the brand has expanded into theme parks and great hands merchandising.
The film earned some $ 4.4 billion in global box office for the past 35 years, and offer a "virtually limitless universe of characters and stories, continuing to ride the film's release," said Disney.
"The franchise provides a steady source of high quality, branded content with a global appeal and is well suited for new business models, including digital platforms," he added.
The acquisition comes after the absorption of the Disney Pixar animated film and comic book character-driven giant Marvel Studios.
The proposals had been "demonstrated the unique capabilities of the company to fully develop and expand the financial capacity of a high-quality creative content with compelling characters and stories," said Disney.
Lucas will be succeeded as head of Lucasfilm his current co-chair, Kathleen Kennedy, who will report to Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement Disney.
"I am confident that under the leadership of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy, and a new house in the Disney organization, Star Wars, of course, to live and thrive for many generations," said Lucas.
"Reach Disney and Lucasfilm experience give the opportunity to break new paths in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, entertainment and consumer goods," he added.
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