Report: Disney to buy Lucasfilm, make Star Wars 7

Deadline reports that Lucasfilm Ltd. is selling to Disney for $4.05 billion, and that “Star Wars: Episode 7″ is being targeted for a 2015 release.

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm in a news release. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star 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.”

The amount spent is similar to the $4 billion Disney spent in 2009 to buy Marvel.

Wow!  Star Wars fans, what do you think?

- Matt Price