Disney Buys LucasFilm

[romantico]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 3:54pm

One day they will own EVERYTHING! No news or details just yet

http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-star-wars-creator/

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 3:57pm

Wow.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 3:58pm

Disney is like a very aggressive cancer, isn't it?

[Playbilly]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:02pm

Oh, that sucks. The thought of Minnie dressed as Princess Leia and Mickey as Indiana Jones makes me hurl.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:08pm

I mean, Disney's been involved with them for a while so the news isn't COMPLETELY shocking but even still...

[Kad]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:10pm

It seems so bizarrely... unnecessary.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:19pm

Yeah, that's the word I was searching for.

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:20pm

C'mon folks, it's not like Bain capital bought 'em.

[romantico]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:25pm

So, who's richer? George Lucas or Disney? I wonder how much control Lucas has? I mean, will we see an animated Star Wars film with Disney characters and Muppets in it?

[romantico]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:27pm

Well Geeks, Star Wars Episode 7 is on its way for 2015. Ugh!

(more)

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=96524

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:28pm

Well this means that it will be Disney who will control the theatrical re-release of the STAR WARS franchise starting next year which could be good, since Disney knows a thing or two about promoting re-releases.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:31pm

...and no one cared about The Phantom Menace in 3D.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:47pm

I've still never seen any of the STAR WARS films so I could care less but I know some people who are gonna be piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissed!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:47pm

I don't really see the huge deal. I suspect they'll still work, as planned, under Kennedy (I'm still surprised control freak Lucas gave the franchise reigns to her). There was already the theme park connection...

Admittedly I was never a huge Star Wars fan, and hated the last Indiana Jones, and haven't paid much attention to Lucas' other projects (which were?)--but...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:48pm

I hope this means a spectacular special edition blu ray release of HOWARD THE DUCK.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:52pm

Maybe, just maybe, this means somebody can pry the original films from Lucas's iron grip and actually give fans the release they want to see; a restored version of the actual films without any of the extra crap Lucas started adding in with his various enhanced editions.

I know it's probably unlikely. Lucas has claimed that the original films basically no longer exist, but somehow I just really can't believe that somewhere there are not negatives or masters of that mid-90s restoration floating around.

Luckily Spielberg seems to have reversed gears on the "special editions," as evidenced with E.T. being released on blu ray with the original cut in tact and no sight of the 2002 re-release being found. I also seem to recall Spielberg stating that in hindsight he saw that the tinkering on E.T. was a mistake and he regretted doing it. That means that the original Indiana Jones trilogy should be safe from such tinkering. Now if only Spielberg could bring Lucas around to the light.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:55pm

Well they've done a good job in letting the Marvel brand remain un-Disnified, thus far.

And let's be honest, Lucasfilm hasn't made a good movie since Return of the Jedi back in 1983. They can't exactly ruin it.

Still, I shudder to think what they're going to come up with for part 7.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 4:56pm

"Oh, that sucks. The thought of Minnie dressed as Princess Leia and Mickey as Indiana Jones makes me hurl."
Is this sarcastic? Disney World has a ride and a special live show at Studios part of the park (who replaced MGM?) of both franchises. They also have had imperial storm troopers, Vader, Darth Maul, and Jedi Knights doing demonstrations in the years I have gone. They've already had Star Wars weekends at the park.

And yes, I have even seen some of these:
https://www.google.com/search?q=mickey+minnie+star+wars&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=KT2QUMKOAsyp0AGG_4B4&biw=1220&bih=612&sei=Mz2QUPfpC6SJ0QHn_4GADw

This is not as random as say, the Marvel purchase- which honestly does look great for Marvel since they are making WB/DC Comics look like a bunch of saps in comparison. They have far more ambition and drive to at least get franchises in pre-production since the Disney purchase happened.

As for a possible Episode Seven, at least there are the expansive universe novels which are probably the template for a new movie, but I cannot imagine there not being new central characters.

I'm really surprised 20th century Fox let LucasFilms go. Jordan may be onto something. There were already strains in the marriage with Lucas having WB distribute the Clone Wars animated film and the series, the former which flopped but the TV series has gained a really sizable audience and profitability (and really, it is the only palatable young fan gateway of the prequels). The re-releases have not really set the world on fire while Disney seems to have that figured out.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 5:04pm

http://www.cracked.com/article/167_5-reasons-star-wars-sequels-would-be-worse-than-prequels/

That sums up all the ways the Star Wars sequels can go horrifically wrong.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 5:06pm

WHile I'm a DIsneyland purist and sorta hate the Lucas rides in the park (although I think Indiana Jones is a Hell of a ride--and I don't mind the situation in Walt Disney World where Star Wars is in the movie park), they'vebeen having Star Wars themed celebrations since Star Tours opened in '88. This won't be a big change IMHO.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 5:41pm

On the positive side, the new filmmakers cannot make worse films than the last 3 Lucas controlled. And, Disney will take care as to not screw it up. We hope.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 7:05pm

I haven't read them, but the The Thrawn Trilogy is supposed to be amazing and it takes place after the original 3 movies. I wonder if they would go with that.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 7:45pm

Most of the chatter in San Francisco is about Disney taking over plans to build something in Marin, after Lucas' failed attempt.

[Taryn]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 10:17pm

I for one am super excited. By the evidence of Pixar and Marvel, Disney is good at taking creative companies like this and letting them loose to create some really ****ing good movies. All the people screaming on my Facebook about Leia as a Disney Princess ought to calm down and just think of Marvel.

[romantico]

Posted: 10/30/12 at 10:31pm

I'm assuming Disney owns Indiana Jones as well now. Everyone is talking about the Star Wars films sure to come out now but I am curious how they will deal with Indy. Recast him like James Bond?

I hope they do not try and get Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams for episode 7.