Disney To Buy Lucasfilm for $4 Billion
The Walt Disney company, started by its namesake Walt Disney and brother Roy as ‘Disney Bros Cartoon Studio’ in 1923 before growing into the largest media conglomerate in the world has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm for $4.05 Billion. Lucasfilm is currently 100% owned by the founder George Lucas the man behind the hugely successful Star Wars franchise.
The deal follows on from a similar deal from 2009 when Disney purchased comics giant Marvel and their catalogue of over 5,000 characters. Bob Iger the chairman of Disney said “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.” George Lucas said “It’s now time for me to pass `Star Wars’ on to a new generation of filmmakers.”
What this means for the popular franchises under the Lucasfilm banner that include Indiana Jones remains to be seem
However according to Fox news Disney stated that Star Wars Episode 7 is scheduled for 2015.