Yes, this is not television news (although Star Wars The Clone Wars on the a Cartoon Network property and part of this ... franchise) but Disney just bought LucasFilm Ltd. for $4,05 billion and also announced in there a massive surprise: Star Wars: Episode 7 will be released in 2015.
Disney also said that more films after Episode 7 will be released in the Star Wars saga, originating from that galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: Episode 7 will clearly be set after everything moviegoers and viewers have already seen, since if you follow the established chronological order, Episode 6 was Return of the Jedi. "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 (68), the CEO of LucasFilm in a statement.
"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."
Disney will now own the Star Wars franchise. George Lucas was the sole shareholder of LucasFilm Ltd.
"LucasFilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas," said Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger in a release announcing the deal. "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."
"Following the release of Episode 7 in 2015, our long term plan is to release a new Star Wars feature film every two to three years," said Bob Iger in the statement.
Disney acquiring does create some intracies. Star Wars The Clone Wars is currently seen on the Cartoon Network (DStv 301) - but the Cartoon Network belongs to Disney's competitor, Turner Broadcasting Systems, which is a division of Time Warner. Does the deal mean the end of the TV animation show soon? or the end of the show on the Cartoon Network and moving to perhaps The Disney Channel?
Also, Twentieth Century Fox was supposed to (it might still happen, it might not. Who knows now) release 3D versions of the existing Star Wars films. Since Disney will 100% not use Fox for future Star Wars films, where does it leave the Star Wars 3D versions?
