It was five years ago today that Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in cash and stock. Since then we’ve had Star Wars Rebels, Forces of Destiny, The Force Awakens, Rogue One and so much more. We still have a lot to look forward to, with The Last Jedi coming in 45 days, Solo next year, Episode IX in 2019, and a third standalone film in 2020. Beyond that we can look forward to Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 at Disneyland in Anaheim, and Walt Disney World in Orlando. It’s been a wild ride for sure, and I’m positive there’s more films, animation and a much anticipated live action TV series to come at some point too. The acquisition was officially completed on December 21st 2012.
Here’s how we broke the story 5 years ago at 20:13 GMT…
BIG NEWS… Kathleen Kennedy, current co-chair of Lucasfilm, will become Lucasfilm’s president, reporting to Walt Disney Studios chair Alan Horn as part of stock and cash transaction. The Walt Disney Company has acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in cash and stock, and announced a new Star Wars movie to be released in 2015.
UPDATED: 20:38… Lucas said in a statement that it is “now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.”
“I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime,” Lucas said. “I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”
The deal includes not only Star Wars but also other businesses operated by Lucasfilm, including LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound. Disney said the current plan is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations.
Episode 7 will be released in 2015 followed by episodes 8 and 9 two/three years after each other. Further Star Wars films will follow every two/three years!
