That gives Disney control not just of LucasFilm and its Star Wars franchise, but also of Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound. ILM created last year's Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature, Rango, in addition to providing special effects on hundreds of other hit movies. Of course, Disney's bought a former Lucas outfit before. Let's not forget that Pixar started as a Lucas sideline, before Steve Jobs bought it.
In a statement, Lucas acknowledged that the deal means he's turning over control of the Star Wars franchise. (Foes of Jar Jar Binks cheer!) Check out this line (I added the emphasis):
"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."
Disney's confirmed Star Wars, Episode 7 for release in 2015. (Whaaa? Less than three years? Have they been working on this?) Who knows what else might be in the works?
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I know it wont happen but if Hollywoood studios got Cars land and Star Wars land, wow, just wow ! it might be my favorite park
Forget about Avatar Land give me more Star Wars, Indiana Jones and everything else with Lucas Films!Imagine the possibilities!
Incredible!
(Chuckle)
Maybe get someone like Joss Whedon to write and direct SW EP 7 and ensure that George Lucas remains in a "Consultant Only" role. I am salivating at the potential of finally seeing a decent sequel to the classic 1977 film!
Most importantly, set the Imagineers free! Star Wars Land here we come!
At this moment I love Disney so much it hurts.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if work started then and the negotiations with Disney began at the same time too. That's certainly what Kathleen Kennedy implies in the same interview video and Lucas says this has been in the planning for some time. Surely that means Mark Hamill will be back as an older Luke teaching the younger Jedi (he's mentioned that this was part of the outlines for the future trilogy for years)
With regards to the potential of the theme parks, I'm betting Disney will soon be expanding Hollywood Studios with a revamped and bigger Star Wars area (perhaps the whole backlot will make way for this??) and so something similar to what Universal did with Harry Potter at IOA. I doubt it'll get it's own park to itself but who knows??
Also I seriously doubt the Avatar land will now go ahead at AK now that Disney have got the Holy Grail of Movie franchies!! Who needs big blue smurfs when you've got Jedi and Sith ;o)
Just watch.... tomorrow we will hear Universal bought Dreamworks or some crazy thing.
WOW!
As for new movies, yay! The original Star Wars trilogy is one of my favorite movie series of all time, and I could definitely see Disney getting close to the quality of these. As long as they're all at least on the level of Revenge of the Sith (the only good prequel in my opinion), I'll be happy.
Now that Disney has the rights, theme will be plenty of SW attractions in Disney's theme parks. I won't be surprised ir they postpone the entire tomorrowland of Shangai DL to transform it in SW land.
As much as I'd love to see Disney create a brand new park, I really would prefer that they invest in remaking Hollywood Studios.
Aside from Spidey, Marvel Island is a wash now so it wouldn't be too hard to improve on it It feels like a Six Flags park and the rides are about on par with that. I would love to see them give up the rights to Disney. I think Disney has shown investment in the property rather than just dressing for a couple off the rack rides.
I'm resonably sure we can forget Carsland coming to DHS. However, from my friends and sources in the company, DHS is getting really rearranged to make way for a whole Star Wars land, including moving the parking lot, main gate and surrounding roads.
What are you smoking?
No, this means Avatar will one day be owned by Disney. Besides, Star Wars is more likely to fill out at the Studios park with a Star Wars Land. Avatar is still needed at Animal Kingdom.
And, Anon, you are correct...this phenomenal move should not impact Avatar at DAK in the slightest.
My main issue stems from my main issue with the prequels. Those movies, which should have been a lot better, ended up being WAY too kiddy, with ridiculous additions like Jar Jar Binks. The main question I have is, will Disney actually stop episode VII from being too kiddy?
Now, I know people will say they did not ruin Marvel (in fact, they did a wonderful job at keeping their hands out.) And I hope they do that, all while keeping Lucas at arms length during the production of the new movies.
However, two things I am 90% positive this means. 1 - Disney will expand the Star Wars attractions at their parks (FINALLY!) 2 - Disney will not 'break the bank' to try to get the Marvel theme park rights back from Universal. Why should they, when they have something FAR more profitable?
Online, votes for everyone from JJ Abrams, Joss Whedon, Brad Bird, Ben Affleck to newcomers like Josh Trank & Justin Lin are being tossed out.
Disney (as well as everyone else) is well aware of how the prequels are perceived. Obviously, as this is now their biggest franchise, I'm sure they know that movie #7 needs to be a huge success (financially, I'm sure it will be), but being critically successful is equally as important to silence that throngs of fans who are against this (already there's a large amount of sw fans who are against this)
Technically, if the movie is considered better than the phantom menace, they are already n the right track.
The fact the Lucas will still be a consultant means it's not going to go completely off the rails, but by having a good screenplay & new director, it's all good
Besides the list that's floating around on the internet (all good choices), there are also the unexpected choices as well.
Again, as long as the screenplay is solid, any capable director can make this next film one of the better sw movies.
As to having a single director for all 3, not so sure about that....It could work, but the original trilogy had 3 different directors & that worked out better than the next 3.
My guess? Star Wars Land will be the Harry Potter killer
im excited for a star wars addition to DHS but i do think it may be a while before it happens
Disney needs pure thrills to compete with Universal. The Tower of Terror is great, but there are only five other ides in DHS.
If they do full blown Star Wars, it is years away unless they build 24/7 and start right away. HP at Universal will have a huge head start and Hogwarts at IOA isn't letting up anytime soon.
Either way, we all win.....
As for the next Star Wars film... Whedon is too busy with Avengers 2, but Brad Bird would work. For the "darker" Empire-like eighth movie, go with someone like David Fincher, who can make a SW movie that has the potential to leave scars, and finish it all off with Whedon for the triumphant ninth blockbuster. You get those three, and that will be all she wrote. Lucas can die a happy man knowing his franchise has been righted, and the long term outlook for Disney's latest cash cow will be "out of this world" good!
I Respond: Davis Fincher is making a movie about Sea World?! "THAT is one nutty hospital!"
I think we have a winner on our hands, TH! Have your people call my people and let's ship this baby off to Hollywood!
Nuff Said !!!
You should understand that there is nothing wrong with a company trying to appeal to the kid in all of us. Disney makes billions of dollars in profit doing it, and Universal makes millions copying the same formula. However, you are fooling yourself if you think Potter Land is anything other than an elaborate playground designed for eight to twelve year-olds and adults who like reading kids’ books. That’s why old theme park fogies like to say we’re “young at heart”!
But since you like pictures, here’s a few more for you to peruse:
The Targeted Demo For Harry Potter
Cooing At Owls
OooooooH! Kids with Wands!!!!
Seriously?
I have no issue with Universal appealing to the kid in all of us - in fact I love that they are family oriented like Disney - but don't try to pull that "Disney is for kids, Universal is for ADULTS" crap here.
Also it seems you have quite an immature attitude to anyone who disagrees with you again sorry if you dont like Harry Potter or feel that noting should be compared to Disney (thats your problem) .
The point I made was that Universal have tried to aim for as much immersion as possible in what after all is a fake world. You are one of the many exponents of Disney theming and storytelling so I would have assumed that you would have understood the point I was trying to make I have no problem with kids playing with light sabers and dressed as star wars charcters I simply dont like the fact that you cant hide from the fact that your in Disney no matter the themeing of the ride or land and I feel this cheapens the Land/Ride/Experiece. I used the Wizarding World as an exaple of this at no point did I compare Star Wars to Harry Potter or say one was better (So dont get your knickers in a knot)
Sorry to have rattled your cage but honestly other people are allowed to have opinions other the your own... Ps I lke the I like all theme parks line was very good but your little rant about Harry Potter kinda shows you up !!
PS LOVE THE CAPITALS VERY MATURE
Despite my acquiescence, I will continue stand by my assertion that all the Orlando-based theme parks are kid/youth-oriented. No, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is not geared to appeal to adults, it is geared to appeal to families and those who are young at heart. Just as Harry Potter is geared towards families and the young at heart. Which has been my point all along. Picking on Disney for targeting this demographic is a silly argument when all the parks do it. Furthermore, the most adult park in the region is Epcot, and last I checked it was a Disney property.
Regardless, I appreciate your enthusiasm and your opinion. Thank you for taking the time to clarify your position to one as dense and immature as me.
PS If you truly believe my statement about being a "theme park fan" is a lie, then you haven't been reading my posts. I will let my record speak for itself on this point.
But, yes, I get your point, if the franchise that somehow survived the drek that is Return of the Jedi and Phantom Menace produces another stinker along those same lines, it could have a detrimental impact to Disney's future plans. Which is why I am sure every care will be given to making the next film the best one since 1977.
(Incidentally, Episode 3 did $850M worldwide, which was a step up from Episode Two's $660M - in other words the franchise is trending up. Also, all six films turned a sizable profit as the highest budget among them was $115M for episode 3.)
However I am a huge Star Wars fan and dancing Storm Troopers,Wookies,Darth Vader etc ala the Re opening of Star Tours drives me mad and makes me worry what Dsney will do with the franchise also givin that Star Tours is all Disey did with the amount of material they had on hand with the Star Wars Universe I do genuinly worry as to what they will do with the land or the franchise.
My fear as you pointed out is another flop movie I hope they go back to what works with the origional three but my fear is that they wont or will attempt to re imagine the franchise altogether going down a darker route ala Batman type remould.
I have no propblem with you having your opinion and will prob disagree with you in the future but thats what this site is about.
One of the reasons that I worry is Pixar their first full movie under Disney control is Brave a film that gives us a new Princess thats not Pixars style its Disneys !!
Then again Im delighted that creative control has been taken from Lucas before he tried to drive any more nails into the Star Wars franchise.
Still I will be in the cinema next week to see Wreck It Ralph which looks like it could be the first really good Disney animated film for a decade so fingers crossed I also think it might lead to a franchise that could generate a seriously cool ride and alot of people looking for a Nintendo land this could at least give them a ride with the Nintendo characters involved
I would have never guessed you preferred Universal! =) Me, the park I like best is the one I am visiting at the time! Overall, I think Disney is better at whole park experiences, and Universal is better at individual attractions. Spider-Man is my favorite theme park ride of all time, but Epcot is my favorite park.
The more family-oriented activities Disney does with Star Wars in the parks (SW Weekends, the dancing, costumes, etc) really should not impact any future movies. Once a director is put in place it will be his/her vision that sets the tone for the film. Just hope Disney does a good job selecting the director and everything should be fine. And in all fairness, Disney has really done a great job with the Marvel films since they took over, so I wouldn't worry about Star Wars - it will receive the best talent from a pool of great people.
To your other point about the tone of the films, I also worry about the darker tone of the Nolan Batman films (which I personally do not like) influencing future choices. However, the huge success of the Avengers (which soundly bested the most recent and worst Batman flick) with its lighter, hipper tone, should set a good precedent for Disney going forward (although the teaser for Iron Man 3 looks a bit darker than previous films - I hope I am wrong).
None of the Star Wars films have been flops. Even the Clone Wars cartoon (a pretty bad effort that set up a pretty good TV series) made a profit. So, I do think worries about anything Star Wars related flopping are a bit unnecessary. Sure, it could happen, but the movie would really have to be God-awful (far worse than Episode 3 or Episode 1).
I liked Brave - a lot. And I thought Merida, like Rapunzel and Tiana, was quite different from previous Disney princesses. She was definitely more independent, assertive, and aggressive. But, I have no issue with Disney Princesses... by and large they are good role models, and they are HOT! =)
I totally agree with you that Disney wresting control of the Star Wars franchise from George Lucas is a good thing. He had the vision, but should have let other people flesh out the details. He can still be visionary in a consultant role, but now top notch directors will be making the key decisions. The end result: no more Jar Jar, no more Ewoks, fewer or no Muppets (my greatest fear is Disney wanting to add MORE Muppets to Star Wars - ugh!), and grander stories in much bigger universes that span many great characters not just a select few (Luke, Han, Leia).
I hope to check out Wreck-It Ralph tomorrow. I am more of a Sports simulation video gamer (NCAA College Football on my PS3 just flat out rules) than a platformer or first person shooter, but I look forward to the flick nonetheless. Plus I am sure my Nintendo loving kids will think it is the best thing since.... Revenge of the Sith! =)
See you in the parks, bro!
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Let's listen to this victory song instead, loving the possibilitys of SW without Lucas and Star Wars Land: