In a move sure to grab some attention, the Walt Disney Company has announced plans to acquire Lucasfilm, Ltd., and all its properties. This includes, of course, Star Wars, which will be receiving a new sequel in 2015, with Star Wars: Episode VII (a subtitle has not yet been announced). George Lucas will remain as a creative consultant, while Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will be moved to the position of President of Lucasfilm and will serve as executive producer on all new Star Wars feature films.
Obviously this all is a lot to take in a for a Star Wars fan. I had personally thought we were probably done with new Star Wars feature films, so an Episode VII comes as a bit of a surprise — though it does make sense that Disney would want to further their newly acquired property. What story a seventh episode might be is an open question — fan speculation since before the prequels ran towards Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire trilogy when it was published, but there is no guarantee that Disney will go with the always deuterocanonical-at-best extended universe continuity. Plus, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford are all getting up there in years (though Zahn’s trilogy was at least set a generation down.) That the film is coming out in the relatively soon year of 2015 seems mighty early for a film that, to the best of my knowledge, wasn’t in production before. So naturally, like a lot of Star Wars fans, I’m viewing this with a degree of trepidation — but just like every other Star Wars fan, I’ll be sure to see the film when it hits theatres. Let’s not lie to ourselves. Even after getting a little burned on the prequels, passing up Star Wars just isn’t something that’s going to happen.
One possible bit of good news is that Disney seldom lets artistic pride get in the way of making a buck. This is just speculation on my part, but I would imagine that the odds of a remastered unedited original trilogy release have just gone way up.
Morgan on Media 
Interesting news Morgan. How on earth will another Star Wars go down. I’m intrigued but not sure I like the idea.
I think that probably sums up most peoples’ feelings on it.
So. ^$%&ing Happy. Having. Trouble. Thinking.
So I’m guessing you share my speculation on the likelihood of seeing the original trilogy remastered? 😀
Nods happily.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
I just hope — as someone who doesn’t have a Blu-Ray player yet — that Disney does the “combo pack” thing.
I don’t know what’s more startling. That Disney bought Lucasfilm or that Episode VII is on the way.
Probably the Disney thing for me. Episode VII would have a big surprise by itself, but not as big — and it’s a little less surprising after the ownership change.
Agreed. Episode VII would have been only a mild shock compared to this…
Yeah. Episode VII was always idly speculated about… Disney buying Lucasfilm wasn’t.
I’m so excited that I may pass out…I’m back. WOW!
Another Star Wars!! WooHoo! This is gonna be a weird transition to say the least (echoing Mark “Sky” Walker’s sentiments). Just in time for Christmas merchandising & all the ol’ favorite galactic franchise of films and their paraphernalia. Nice post; great pic.
It’ll definitely be a bit of an adjustment. Interesting though, and exciting as well.
Thanks for the compliment on the pic; it was just a slap-dash alteration, but it amused me.
Dude, I just read a blurb that JJ Abrams is set to direct new Star Wars film. Wow! If that’s true, I hope it turns out strong like his take on Star Trek (the first one he made). Coolness.
-Cheers
Yeah, I read that as well (and will be mentioning it tomorrow’s news post). That could be interesting, if it’s true (since directors have been “confirmed” and then debunked before, I’m not calling it yet.)
I am just waiting for the movie when the Avengers team up with The Incredibles who join the Rebel Alliance to defeat the clone army.
Ha! I could almost see them doing that, if only as a one-off comic book or something.
I want live action/animated/whatever. I need that to happen.
So, Hollywood Reporter is, er… reporting that Lucas will be giving almost all of the $4+ billion payday from Disney to fund education projects through Edutopia. So… he wins. Could really give a flip about the prequels, or whatever… that’s just too awesome.
George Lucas, enjoy your ride into the (twin) sunset. Thanks for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and everything.
That is very cool of Lucas. One heck of a donation, there, all right.
So when I walk into the Disney store I’ll now be seeing Darth Vaders next to Thors, Iron Mans and the toys from Toy Story?
That’d be my guess. And plush Ewoks next to Simba and Mickey.
I had written off Star Wars as dead to me, but this news gives me hope. This is easily the best Star Wars news in years. And even if Episodes 7–infinity aren’t good, maybe we will get that original original trilogy on Blu-ray! You’re right, the chances just went way up!
I also want to note that I saw this when it posted but forgot to comment, and it was this post that broke the news to me. I thought it was a satire piece at first until I was able to confirm the story!
Believe me, I know the feeling. I checked a couple different sources as well before I believed it.
My feelings on Episode VII are probably about like yours; guardedly optimistic. Certainly higher than they would be if it were still under Lucas’s direct control. And yes, really hoping for that remastered original release… even though I don’t have a Blu-Ray player yet myself. Hey, it’s Disney, they’ll probably do a combo pack.