View Full Version : Disney buys Lucasfilm, Mayans were right
Media giant Disney has purchased movie and TV production house Lucasfilm for $4.05B in cash and stock. Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga. Lucasfilm founder George Lucas will act as a creative consultant for the next film and will ‘retire’ eventually.
Disney plans to release a Star Wars film every one to three years from 2015 on, with episodes 8 and 9 following on. Disney says that the three most recent Star Wars films would have averaged about $1.5 billion in today’s box office dollars, adjusted for inflation.
The transaction includes Disney paying roughly half of the price in cash and the rest in 40 million shares at closing of market. Disney will take ownership of Lucasfilm and acquire the entire portfolio of Lucasfilm technologies, as well as its franchises like Indiana Jones. The deal was said to be approved by the Disney board and Lucas, who is the the sole Lucasfilm shareholder.
The Lucasfilm tech includes products like THX sound and divisions like Industrial Light and Magic and Skywalker Sound, and a bunch of other cool toys that Disney will also acquire. The LucasArts game studio and other divisions like LucasArts Singapore are included. Digital artist Joe Rosensteel notes that this is a reunion of sorts because ILM got the Renderman animation software from Pixar back when it was a division of ILM, now they’re back under one roof at the Mouse House.
Pixar, of course, was purchased by Apple founder Steve Jobs from none other than George Lucas. Pixar was purchased by Disney a couple of years after Jobs’ return to Apple for over $7B.
Jay Rasule, Senior EVP and CFO of Walt Disney, says that the $4.05B valuation focused “almost entirely on the financial potential of the Star Wars franchise, which we expect to provide us with a stream of storytelling opportunities for years to come delivered via all relevant platforms on a global basis.”
That means that the other bits of Lucasfilm, including ILM, Indiana Jones and all the rest, aren’t considered to be a truly substantial part of the company’s revenue.
Rasule says that Star Wars is currently very North America-centric and focused on toys. He says that they plan to extend the franchise into ‘other categories’ and grow it internationally. He notes that the licensing revenue of Star Wars alone in 2012 was comparable to the $214M in product revenue Marvel generated in 2009.
Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, says that “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.”
Lucas says that it is now “time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.”
“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” he added, ”I’ve always believed thatStar 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.”
Lucasfilm has collaborated with the Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering numerous times to create rides and attractions centered on Star Wars and Indiana Jones for its theme parks, so the acquisition makes some sort of sense.
Disney previously acquired animation house Pixar for $7.4B and recently acquired comics giant Marvel, with which it has produced several films including Thor and The Avengers. The Star Wars feature films have earned a total of $4.4 billion in global box office to date.
An investor conference call to discuss the acquisition will take place at approximately 4:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. PDT today at Disney’s site.
http://thenextweb.com/media/2012/10/30/disney-purchases-lucasfilm-including-the-star-wars-franchise-for-4-05b-in-cash-and-stock/
Have you guys heard this yet? George Lucas has agreed to let Disney acquire Lucasfilm. He says this decision is to help grow and keep Star Wars alive, along with the fact that he is ready to retire soon. Having grown up with Star Wars and lived through the good (original trilogy) the bad (new trilogy) and the ugly (special edition of original trilogy) I really don't know what to think of this. I hope Disney doesn't turn Star Wars into an even more kiddy-friendly franchise like they did with Ep 1... I also hope they don't fall off like they did with the Pirates series (the first one was good, second was bleh, 3rd ugh...). But it would appear that they want to make 3 more movies- I just hope they don't dick it up like they did with the new trilogy.
Here's a video of Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy (the new torch bearer for SW) and some exec from Disney:
YyqlTi7lkhY
I just want to ask them to not shit on those of us who grew up with Star Wars, keep us in mind when you make the next 3 movies (because you didn't with Ep 1,2,3).
Thoughts?
Dammit Ridge- I just posted about this... I guess merge them mods (please). [ROFL2]
HBARleatherneck
10-30-2012, 15:49
http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=69559
late to the party.
http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=69559
late to the party.
Yeah, I posted, hit refresh and proceeded to facepalm... But it did take me a few minutes to write out, then watch that video after reading the news on Starwars.com.... [Tooth]
lead_magnet
10-30-2012, 15:54
FML, Princess Leia is now a Disney princess, Battlefield 3 has crossbows in it now, the General Lee can't have the Confederate flag on it?!?! OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLIN OFF!!!!
JohnnyEgo
10-30-2012, 16:05
Looking forward to the revamping of 'It's a small, small, Deathstar', 'Star Wars of the Carribean', and 'Raiders of the Lost Theme Park' in the near future. I suppose Donald Duck's voice isn't that far removed from Darth Vader's to begin with...
trlcavscout
10-30-2012, 17:29
The scary part is who owns disney!
ronaldrwl
10-30-2012, 17:34
Awesome!
You think Jar Jar blinks was a bad addition, hope to god Star Wars will not be ruined by Disney.
You think Jar Jar blinks was a bad addition, hope to god Star Wars will not be ruined by Disney.
It could be the BEST thing to happen to Star Wars. They're making the next three without Lucas writing or directing. Then again it could just be more sequels people may not want to begin with regardless of who's making them. We'll just have to wait until 2015 to find out!
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! It's all downhill now... [ROFL3]
ruthabagah
10-30-2012, 18:15
Awesome!
Not sure.... See, Lucas makes his special effect here in the US (ILM in San francisco) but Disney use Foreign, cheaper SE shop.... One of my relative works at ILM and the mood was somber today.
Zundfolge
10-30-2012, 19:16
Oh please ... you can't honestly tell me that the Mouse is going to screw up the Star Wars franchise any more than Georgie already has?
Hopefully this means we keep getting Clone Wars for some time to come (the least sucky of all the Star Wars movies and shows, not counting episode 4 and 5).
Rucker61
10-30-2012, 19:39
Oh please ... you can't honestly tell me that the Mouse is going to screw up the Star Wars franchise any more than Georgie already has?
My first thought, too. Maybe Disney can hire real screenwriters.
jerrymrc
10-30-2012, 20:32
Come together, right now......... Over me.....[Beer]
tmleadr03
10-30-2012, 20:40
Oh please ... you can't honestly tell me that the Mouse is going to screw up the Star Wars franchise any more than Georgie already has?
Hopefully this means we keep getting Clone Wars for some time to come (the least sucky of all the Star Wars movies and shows, not counting episode 4 and 5).
Too late.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/602531_485206168191039_1449635350_n.jpg
Scanker19
10-30-2012, 20:49
Dogs and Cats living together, mass hysteria!!!!!
Perfect capture...
Too late.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/602531_485206168191039_1449635350_n.jpg
I'm actually with Fromk on this one. Disney can't possibly do any worse than Lucas has with his own material in the past 20 years. The original trilogy (the ORIGINAL original trilogy, which I have preserved lovingly on the original VHS. lol) was the only good to come of any of the Star Wars franchise. Disney's at least capable of somewhat of a dark side (no pun intended) as was evidenced by the Pirates series. Maybe there's a last sputtering cough of adequacy left in the franchise that can be extracted by some fresh hands working with it.
Didn't Disney produce "Birth of a Nation?"
theGinsue
10-30-2012, 22:43
The scary part is who owns disney!
Okay, I'll bite since I don't already know...
Who owns Disney?
Jerry Bruckheimer will fix all those Lucas films. [Wink]
centrarchidae
10-30-2012, 23:15
Okay, I'll bite since I don't already know...
Who owns Disney?
It's publically held.
And owned by the Rothschilds and the Bavarian Illuminati. But I think Cthulhu sits on the board.
Teufelhund
10-31-2012, 00:15
It's publically held.
And owned by the Rothschilds and the Bavarian Illuminati. But I think Cthulhu sits on the board.
[LOL] omg, man. That Cthulhu bit had me crying.
lead_magnet
10-31-2012, 03:12
I'm actually with Fromk on this one. Disney can't possibly do any worse than Lucas has with his own material in the past 20 years. The original trilogy (the ORIGINAL original trilogy, which I have preserved lovingly on the original VHS. lol) was the only good to come of any of the Star Wars franchise. Disney's at least capable of somewhat of a dark side (no pun intended) as was evidenced by the Pirates series. Maybe there's a last sputtering cough of adequacy left in the franchise that can be extracted by some fresh hands working with it.
WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, GOOD SIR!!!
"The original trilogy was the only good to come of any of the Star Wars franchise."
[Eek3]
Umm...Padme, maybe?!?! Did you happen to notice the scene from Episode II when they are chasing Dooku. She and the two storm troopers hop off of that transport thing and she jogs for about 5 feet. GEEEEMAAAANEEEE CHRISTMAS!!!! If that Sir, falls under anything other than "F#&*(ing Wonderful" in your book, then I fart in your general direction!
ronaldrwl
10-31-2012, 08:32
Okay, I'll bite since I don't already know...
Who owns Disney?
Steve Jobs I think was the majority owner.
WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, GOOD SIR!!!
"The original trilogy was the only good to come of any of the Star Wars franchise."
[Eek3]
Umm...Padme, maybe?!?! Did you happen to notice the scene from Episode II when they are chasing Dooku. She and the two storm troopers hop off of that transport thing and she jogs for about 5 feet. GEEEEMAAAANEEEE CHRISTMAS!!!! If that Sir, falls under anything other than "F#&*(ing Wonderful" in your book, then I fart in your general direction!
Well put, and I agree 100%... plus you have to say that Episode II's costume department (for the aforementioned character) did a great job! [Beer]
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1luLRXKoJM8/SfHBZiL2PNI/AAAAAAAAQHM/K3IZ-WENZyU/s400/padme-amidala.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1owkQvW-Mqk/TUd4CJ4xgoI/AAAAAAAAAeY/GyayuDzQd20/s1600/padme_full1_5160%255B1%255D.jpg
But I echo many skeptics... First off, it's effing Disney- the most "family friendly" company one can name- I hope they don't pander to the children, when most of the true fans are all adults now (even those of us- myself included- who weren't born yet when the OT came out, but were around for the Pre-SE and Pre-Prequel Trilogy era), I want the new SW (which are rumored to be 7-9) to be dark, like the extended universe depicts them (such as Luke going over to the dark side and then coming back, the miraculous survival of Boba Fett, the remnants of the Empire and their struggle to fill the vacuum left by Vader and the Emperor's death, etc. etc.).
Zundfolge
10-31-2012, 11:18
Here's something to ponder though; Clone Wars + Pixar.
Aloha_Shooter
10-31-2012, 11:47
Now they have a chance to get some REAL writers in. Star Wars died with Return of the Jedi IMO; I only ever liked the first two films, everything else was trite predictable regurgitated poo.
ruthabagah
10-31-2012, 12:44
My concern? This
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac179/ruthabagah/disneyvador.jpg
https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/10/31/xpUCnUK0b0SPfJRyvSi-_Q2.jpg
tmleadr03
10-31-2012, 14:32
http://i.imgur.com/POde6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/POde6.jpg
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA![ROFL1]
http://i.imgur.com/POde6.jpg
[ROFL1] Jiminy Cricket does kinda have that Obi Wan quality... [Tooth]
ChunkyMonkey
10-31-2012, 15:22
http://imageplay.net/img/tya22290343/1045_10151150552087857_1579805.jpg
Rust_shackleford
10-31-2012, 16:34
Release the original Star Wars in High Def!
tmleadr03
10-31-2012, 16:52
Release the original Star Wars in High Def!
I hear they are replacing Yoda though.
http://cravearmada2.s3.amazonaws.com/4e84acc37c19c0000100011e/med_image.jpg
WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, WHOAH, GOOD SIR!!!
"The original trilogy was the only good to come of any of the Star Wars franchise."
[Eek3]
Umm...Padme, maybe?!?! Did you happen to notice the scene from Episode II when they are chasing Dooku. She and the two storm troopers hop off of that transport thing and she jogs for about 5 feet. GEEEEMAAAANEEEE CHRISTMAS!!!! If that Sir, falls under anything other than "F#&*(ing Wonderful" in your book, then I fart in your general direction!
Eh, if all I cared about was scantily-clad females with a near-religiously flat affect, who communicate their supposed badassery with oatmeal-bland CGI, 5 feet of cardio, and a general sour demeanour, I'd........ well, I'd watch Episodes 1-3 again. Grin.... As for you sir, your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries.[Angel2]
USAFGopherMike
11-01-2012, 08:51
Eh, if all I cared about was scantily-clad females with a near-religiously flat affect, who communicate their supposed badassery with oatmeal-bland CGI, 5 feet of cardio, and a general sour demeanour, I'd........ well, I'd watch Episodes 1-3 again. Grin.... As for you sir, your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries.[Angel2]
Nothing short of awesome that. I too share the sediment that everything that has come out since Jedi has been horse shit.
Can we put this up to a vote? Who was the hottest SW babe?
Her:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1owkQvW-Mqk/TUd4CJ4xgoI/AAAAAAAAAeY/GyayuDzQd20/s1600/padme_full1_5160%255B1%255D.jpg
Or her:
http://scm-l3.technorati.com/12/01/02/59433/princess-leia-bikini.jpeg?t=20120102193259
My vote goes to Leia, and I'm under 30! So no, your pick will not show your age... [Coffee]
JohnnyEgo
11-01-2012, 11:15
Since I am over 30, it will always be Princess Leia.
If I were granted three wishes, the first two would be spent on 1983 Carrie Fischer and 1977 Lynda Carter.
Since I am over 30, it will always be Princess Leia.
If I were granted three wishes, the first two would be spent on 1983 Carrie Fischer and 1977 Lynda Carter.
Touche! They just don't make 'em how they used to... [Beer]
Aloha_Shooter
11-01-2012, 11:53
It's funny, I found Carrie Fisher to be her most attractive and intriguing when she was draped in sheets of white fabric. Today, kids think girls have to show lots and lots of skin to be attractive (it doesn't hurt but isn't required IMO).
I think my first two wishes would be 1977 Lynda Carter and either 1978 Maren Jensen (Athena from the first BSG) or 1979 Erin Gray (Col Wilma Deering from Buck Rogers).
ruthabagah
11-01-2012, 12:02
It's funny, I found Carrie Fisher to be her most attractive and intriguing when she was draped in sheets of white fabric. Today, kids think girls have to show lots and lots of skin to be attractive (it doesn't hurt but isn't required IMO).
I think my first two wishes would be 1977 Lynda Carter and either 1978 Maren Jensen (Athena from the first BSG) or 1979 Erin Gray (Col Wilma Deering from Buck Rogers).
spot on! Erin Gray was the only reason I watched Buck Rodgers in the first place....
newracer
11-01-2012, 12:18
http://i.imgur.com/B3ig2.jpg
Princess Leia is my choice of the best SW girls!
Princess Leia FTW. Natalie Portman still looked like she was at "that awkward" age when the new episodes came out. Carrie Fischer was all woman. And I'm in the < 30 crowd as well.
JohnnyEgo
11-01-2012, 15:10
It's funny, I found Carrie Fisher to be her most attractive and intriguing when she was draped in sheets of white fabric. Today, kids think girls have to show lots and lots of skin to be attractive (it doesn't hurt but isn't required IMO).
I think my first two wishes would be 1977 Lynda Carter and either 1978 Maren Jensen (Athena from the first BSG) or 1979 Erin Gray (Col Wilma Deering from Buck Rogers).
I wanted to use my third wish on '79 Erin Gray, but after the first two wishes, I'd need the third to replace the fluid loss.
tmleadr03
12-16-2012, 21:40
https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/12/14/EhzxKgwgsk-ZoP3y021tdw2.jpg
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