HURRICANE DISNEY SWAMPS LUCASFILM! That’s right, Disney already owns Pixar, ABC, ESPN, and Marvel, and as of today, they own Lucasfilm too, with plans to release a Star Wars Episode 7 in 2015.
Ready za mouse-ear armbands!
Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing.
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “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.”
“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm. “It’s 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. 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.”
Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will become President of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars. Ms. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future. [PressRelease]
At this point, I’d like to recommend that we all run about the room with our arms above our heads.
UPDATE: And here’s the picture:
Can you imagine how many cats are under that desk? No way Lucas agreed to $4 billion without a little “signing bonus.”
“DO I GET TA PET DA KITTIES YET?!”
“Almost, George, just put your name on this paper.”
I rejected this Photoshop for being, I dunno, overwrought.
Now that the shock has worn off…
It’s scary that Disney owns pretty much everything. But as it relates to the product… I’d just as soon they let Star Wars die off, like it should have after Episode I, but let’s face it, there’s no way Disney can do worse with Lucasfilm than Lucasfilm’s already been doing. I don’t know the inner workings of the company, but it seems like George Lucas has been the worst thing about Lucasfilm since about the mid nineties.