The Walt Disney Company is going to buy Lucasfilm, Ltd., the company owned by George Lucas. The announcement also comes with the news that a seventh Star Wars episode will be released in 2015.
According to Deadline, the deal will give Disney the rights to the Star Wars franchise. The two companies already have a working relationship, including the Star Tours ride at the Disney theme parks.
Other LucasFilm properties, including American Graffiti and Indiana Jones will also now be controlled by Disney.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that LucasFilm co-chair Kathleen Kennedy will become LucasFilm’s president.
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas," Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of Disney, said in a statement posted on The Wrap. “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.”
Since the first Star Wars film was released, every film has been distributed by 20th Century Fox. A seventh Star Wars film will likely be the first to not have the famous Fox fanfare at the start of the film.
It is not known if the deal will affect the already planned 2013 3D releases of the last two Star Wars prequels.
UPDATE: The deal is done. Disney has confirmed that all of companies operating under LucasFilm, including ILM and Skywalker Sound, are part of the deal.