George Lucas announced yesterday that Lucasfilm will be acquired by Disney. As the sole owner of the production empire, Lucas will receive $4.05 billion in cash and Disney stock. In other words, George Lucas gave away Star Wars. $#%@! For what, Republic Dactaries?!? That currency has no value in places like Tatooine and other separatist sectors--not counting far, far away galaxies where planet Earth belongs. And speaking of far, this is by far the most foolish act of rebellion in the galaxy.
George, I find your lack of faith disturbing. Expect Darth Vader's chokehold anytime now. In fact, Obi Wan never told you what happened to your father... No George, Steven Spielberg is your father. Noooooooooo!!!
Okay, serious mode. What exactly did Disney buy? Lucasfilm, rights to both Star Wars and Indiana Jones properties (and others), videogame developer-publisher LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic (the largest visual effects vendor in the motion picture industry), and Skywalker Sound (known for developing the THX standard, sold in 2001).
That's the bad news.
Now the good news. George Lucas revealed that the Star Wars saga will continue forward with another trilogy, this time the much speculated story behind Episodes 7, 8 and 9. Scheduled for release in 2015, Episode 7 is both exciting and perplexing. Speaking, again, of far, far away, this is forever. Then again, if George Lucas taught us geeks one thing, it's patience--Episode 1 happened 22 years after Episode 4.
The other good news, well, is Disney. My initial reaction upon hearing the news was fear. Fear that the Star Wars vision will be lost. Everyone who loved the series to death probably had the same apprehension. Then it occurred to me where Pixar and Marvel landed--companies Disney bought in 2006 and 2009, respectively.
Pixar continuous to have creative independence while under Disney ownership. (Interestingly enough, George Lucas created Pixar in 1979, then called the Graphics Group. He sold it to Steve Jobs, who in turn sold it for Disney stock in 2009 and making him its single largest shareholder.) So is Marvel. In fact, the Marvel flicks have never been as fast-producing and profitable. (Like Pixar and Marvel, Lucasfilm will continue to be run separately with its own president who reports to the Disney board.)
Having looked at this perspective, I now believe that the future of Star Wars is secured. Not counting faster productions to expand the universe canon. And the occasional bashing when it comes to critiquing the new works versus the classics (the original trilogy).
Which is what we geeks want ultimately. And through this, Star Wars lives on.
