Thursday, November 1, 2012

Disney Buys Lucasfilm For $4.1 Billion

I am sure you have all heard the latest news. Just the other day, Disney bought out the rights to the entertainment giant Lucasfilm for $4.1 billion from Star Wars and Indiana Jones creator George Lucas. In return, Disney is giving 40 million shares to Lucas, making him the 2nd largest non-institutional shareholder in the company, right behind the deceased owner of Apple, Steve Jobs. The company has been trying to buy Lucasfilm for a year and a half now, and it came at a very high price. Lucas said, "For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers." After this, Lucas will stay on as the creative consultant, but plans on retiring.

lucasfilm disney lucas iger
Doesn't George look extremely sad here?

To be quite honest, I saw this coming from a mile away. I mean, they already have a ride in Hollywood Studios for Star Wars. They even have an entire section of the park that is dedicated to the Star Wars franchise. Lucas has already given Disney those rights. It was only a matter of time before he retired and gave the company over to someone else.

I am glad that Lucas has decided to stay on as a consultant. I think that this is a great move. Disney has always had a way of putting a Disney twist on everything that they do that is not directly Disney. For example, in the show Once Upon A Time on ABC, their is always little hints of Disney influence because Disney owns ABC. I don't want that to happen to with Star Wars. I don't think it will since Lucas is staying on as a the creative consultant.

"No! I want the Millennium Falcon put next to SPACE Mountain, not SPLASH Mountain!"

What I am really excited for are the movies that Disney is going to be making. Iger plans on making Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. I have been saying for a LONG time that they should make new movies. Now, my dream is finally coming into fruition. It should be exciting to see how the next 3 movies keep up with the previous movies.

2 Guys, A Girl, and a planet-sized space station

Most people, though, are afraid that it will just be a repeat of what happened with Episodes I, II, and III. They are afraid that since Disney is in charge now, the movies might suck. I honestly don't think that will be the case. All you have to do is look at the last few Marvel movies that have been made. The past 2 Marvel movies have been made by Disney, starting with Captain America. They were also responsible for the Avengers movie. I personally loved Captain America, although a lot of other people didn't. But The Avengers was brilliant, and I think that everyone can agree. Those were both technically done under Disney. I think that Disney is going to make awesome Star Wars movies.

Dream Team

What I really want to see happen is more of Mark Hamill, the actor who starred as Luke Skywalker. I think that it would be most interesting to see Luke Skywalker as the Obi Wan of the newest movies. He is definitely old enough at this point. In fact, they should use all of the old actors from the original movies (Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher). I think that would make the movies a lot cooler. Who knows, maybe even bring back Billy Dee Williams...?

Cooler than the other side of the pillow!

What I would not want to see would be a cartoon remake. Recently, Cartoon Network has been doing a Cartoon T.V. show for kids that has to do with Star Wars. I would hate to see the next Star Wars movies to be that. It would be extremely disappointing.

WAH WAH WAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Overall, I think that this was a great move for Disney and for Lucasfilm. I am looking forward to seeing Luke, Han, and Leia in the parks very soon. Oh yeah! They are also planning on making a new Star Wars park in Disney World! SWEEEEEEEET!!!!! I can't wait!

Every kid's dream!