By Chris Kavan - 10/30/12 at 05:23 PM CT
Money may not be able to buy happiness, but apparently $4.05 billion can buy you the rights to Star Wars. Disney's plan not only allows it to create new films in the franchise (with reports that a new film could be released as early as 2015) but plans to release new films every 2-3 years. Lucasfilm, of course, has many other facets (including Indiana Jones and a lot of technology) but Star Wars is the big ticket item.
I make it no secret that I am a massive Star Wars fan - yes, I even defend the prequels, even if they can't hold a candle to the original trilogy - but this Disney deal is a whole new ball game. My mind is literally broken by the possibilities - there is a goldmine of material that has been released (books, video games, graphic novels) that span eras thousands of years before and hundreds of years after the films. Or Disney could choose from or they could opt for a totally original story.
Would familiar characters be involved or is the galaxy far, far away going to get a whole new set of heroes and villains. George Lucas is going to stay on as a "creative consultant" so I doubt he will let things get too far from his original story. The way the Clone Wars Cartoon Network series has gone - that might not be a bad thing.
It's leaves me both excited but with much trepidation. While I don't quite consider this film "holy" I still have much respect. I will follow this closely to see what direction they're going to take - and who is going to be involved. With the right directors, actors and writers - this could be a brand new era of sci-fi. On the other hand, if they choose poorly it could ruin the franchise (though for some, the prequels already did that).
It takes a lot to floor me these days, but I can honestly say that I never in a million years would have believed Lucas would hand control of his franchise to another party. Disney - it's all in your hands now. If you screw it up, you will feel the wrath of the dark side from many, many, many fans. So here's to a new hope the franchise can reinvent itself in the best possible way.
Comments
Lee - wrote on 11/06/12 at 10:55 AM CT
I being a long time Star Wars geek, appreciate that Disney wants to breathe some fresh air into the saga's lungs. Who knows? Maybe they will make it better much like Chris Nolan did with the Batman franchise?
smeagol - wrote on 11/05/12 at 10:09 AM CT
they will never make that money back. star wars was something for its time. the last 3 were complete rubbish and just a money grab attempt. any future ones will be just as bad.
why dont they just leave things alone instead of trying to milk something thats already run dry. . lucas is over rated but business wise he is a sly ole fox with a nice earner and a wise idear to flog a dead horse to a mickey mouse operation lol
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/31/12 at 08:31 PM CT
I have a feeling that George Lucas has been doing that for many years now - he'll just need a bigger vault now. Anyway, I have heard they are going with a totally original story - not based on any existing material - so it should be very interesting where they go. If anyone from Disney TV shows up, I'll personally kick Micky Mouse in the nuts. And I'll do the same if they don't keep John Williams as the composer.
Nick - wrote on 10/31/12 at 08:26 PM CT
There are plenty of "actors" and "actresses" graduating from Disney TV that would be perfect for the next Star Wars movies. I see Star Wars becoming a laughing spectacle, while George Lucas is swimming in his vault of money like Scrooge McDuck.
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 10/31/12 at 08:47 AM CT
Great update especially for fans of the franchise. Better artists and screenwriters will make this successful. Cheesy dialogue and horrendous acting are always present in a SW flick. I envision a better storyline for the Skywalkers and just resurrect one of the coolest villains from the franchise, Darth Maul!, and maybe it could work. At least it would be refreshing to see something new from Disney/SW/Lucas.
LeeAnn M. - wrote on 10/30/12 at 05:57 PM CT
My first thought was, Total Disaster!" All I could picture for Episode VII was Darth Vader in Mickey Mouse ears. Then I calmed down and admitted that Episodes I and II were lackluster, so maybe some fresh ideas for the franchise is long overdue.
