Disney Acquires Star Wars, Paving Way for Star Wars Kingdom Hearts: Episode I

Okay, so they didn’t mention the Kingdom Hearts bit, but it’s probably happening. Yep, Disney has gone and paid just over 4 billion dollars for Lucasfilm Ltd. Also, Episode VII is in the works, “set for release in 2015, with plans to follow it with Episodes 8 and 9 and then one new movie every two or three years.” No word yet on if we can expect any Christmas specials out of this. Anyway, there’s some more information thus far gleaned…

Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement that the acquisition is a great fit and will help preserve and grow the “Star Wars” franchise.

“The last `Star Wars’ movie release was 2005’s `Revenge of the Sith’ — and we believe there’s substantial pent-up demand,” Iger said.

Kathleen Kennedy, the current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become the division’s president and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucas will be creative consultant on new “Star Wars” films.

Lucas said in a statement, “It’s now time for me to pass `Star Wars’ on to a new generation of filmmakers.”

So, Lucas is going to be sticking around for a while, at least in a consulting capacity, though my crankier Star Wars friends may not view that as a good thing anymore. It’s certainly good news for anyone who’s been itching for more Star Wars movies, because according to the linked article (thanks, Foxnews!) they’re coming in abundance. I was only half kidding about the Kingdom Hearts bit too, since it seems like a no brainer to include at least a taste of sith/jedi action in some upcoming KH game – so here’s hoping the good people at Disney handle this property well.