Disney Buys Lucasfilm: “We’ll Make Star Wars Films Forever”

Disney has bought Lucasfilm and pledged to release a new Star Wars trilogy and then “release a new Star Wars feature film every two to three years” forever after.

Disney purchased Lucasfilm, the company George Lucas propelled to greatness with the Star Wars franchise, from George Lucas for $4 billion in cash and Disney stock.

Disney has said the acquisition is largely intended to allow it to indefinitely churn out new Star Wars films:

The last Star Wars movie release was 2005’s Revenge of the Sith – and we believe there’s substantial pent up demand.

In 2015, we’re planning to release Star Wars Episode 7 – the first feature film under the “Disney-Lucasfilm” brand.

That will be followed by Episodes 8 and 9 – and our long term plan is to release a new Star Wars feature film every two to three years.

Lucas himself welcomes the prospect of endless continuations of his “trilogy” by Disney:

“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.”

He will continue to be involved with the franchise as a “creative consultant,” with the current Lucasfilm co-chairman taking over.