LucasArts acquired by Disney

The Walt Disney Company has acquired Lucasfilm and its subsidiaries, including its LucasArts video gaming division.

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The Walt Disney Company has acquired Lucasfilm and its subsidiaries, including its LucasArts video gaming division, in a deal that's valued at $4.05 billion.

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next," George Lucas said in the announcement. "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."

According to the announcement, the "present intent" is for all Lucas employees, including LucasArts, to remain in their current locations.

With the company's iconic properties going to Disney, a new film trilogy is being planned. Star Wars: Episode 7 is targeted for a 2015 release, with more films expected "well into the future." Hey, how about a Grim Fandango revival, guys?

LucasArts was working on Star Wars 1313 before the acquisition. According to a company representative, "for the time being all projects are business as usual. We are excited about all the possibilities that Disney brings."

Update: The future of AAA console games from LucasArts seems to be in doubt. Disney CEO Robert Iger spoke at an investor's call, which Polygon picked up: "We're likely to focus more on social and mobile than we are on console. We'll look opportunistically at console, most likely in licensing rather than publishing, but we think that given the nature of these characters and how well known they are, and the storytelling, that they lend themselves quite nicely, as they've already demonstrated to the other platforms."

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 30, 2012 1:30 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, LucasArts acquired by Disney.

    The Walt Disney Company has acquired Lucasfilm and its subsidiaries, including its LucasArts video gaming division.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 1:31 PM

      Well, that came out of nowhere!

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 1:37 PM

      wow...

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 1:41 PM

      Has LucasFilm or Lucas Arts really done anything outside of the Star Wars franchise? Aside from Grim Fandango, it seems to me that Disney have bought Star Wars and not really anything else.

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      October 30, 2012 1:42 PM

      I felt a great disturbance in the industry, as if billions of dollars suddenly changed hands.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 1:44 PM

      I've been watching for this news to hit the SW:tOR forums, and I don't think this has fully set in to people's minds yet.

      Once the "Where are Same-sex romances??" rabble-rousers realize who the new boss is they are going to LOSE it!

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 1:54 PM

      ...With the company's iconic properties going to Disney, a new film trilogy is being planned. Star Wars: Episode 7 is targeted for a 2015 release, with more films expected "well into the future." ...


      Um... holy shit... why are more people not flipping out about this comment? There is a new Star Wars film trilogy in the works?!?! Without George Lucas directly helming?! That is freaking HUGE! That has potential to be so awesome! Give me a feature length movie with the kind of stuff they did in the cut scenes of SWOR! Yes please!

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        October 30, 2012 2:00 PM

        also what if they greenlight a new X-wing?

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          October 30, 2012 2:03 PM

          Oh, hell yes! That too. This could be so good. I just hope they don't pimp out Star Wars too much. I really don't want to see tons of kiddy Star Wars cartoon spin offs... that part could be bad.

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            October 31, 2012 12:45 AM

            There are already quite a few of spinoffs for kids

            Cartoon network series
            Lego games
            Plush toys
            Angry birds SW

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 2:05 PM

        If it's not the Thrawn trilogy then fuck that.

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          October 30, 2012 2:12 PM

          Those are the only Star Wars books I've ever read... but they were pretty damn good. I'd sign on for that.

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          October 30, 2012 2:19 PM

          I hope it's well after Luke is dead.

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          October 30, 2012 2:25 PM

          It's within the realm of possibility at this point

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          October 30, 2012 2:44 PM

          The Daley Han Solo Trilogy.

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 2:58 PM

        Yeah I don't even know what to think about this

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 7:02 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          October 30, 2012 11:25 PM

          John Carter was pretty good, definitely more solid than the SW prequels. If we got SW movies with that same vibe and feel, I'd call it an improvement.

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          October 31, 2012 7:52 AM

          I actually enjoyed John Carter. It was flawed but had some cool stuff going on. That movie had a lot of trouble in development though. It had potential to be a lot better than it was. Honestly, it probably should have been 2 or 3 movies because parts of the story seem like they were originally supposed to play out over a longer amount of time.

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        October 30, 2012 9:33 PM

        There's another megathread already going about this.

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        October 30, 2012 11:57 PM

        I don't know. Disney makes movies that are very pretty looking but utterly forgettable.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 1:59 PM

      Episode 7 straight to DVD!

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      October 30, 2012 2:02 PM

      I want disney to do something with willow.

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      October 30, 2012 2:03 PM

      DOES THIS MEAN KOTOR 3+++ IS A POSSIBILITY OR WHAT. nothing else matters srsly

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 2:17 PM

        Epic Mickey 3 with Boba Fett guest appearance

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 2:22 PM

        ^^ What is this ridiculous craziness? KOTOR??? When we STILL DO NOT HAVE A TIE FIGHTER 2?????????? MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 2:16 PM

      Wow... every other film company is probably pretty pissed they didn't know Star Wars was even for sale.

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 2:17 PM

        Like they had the chump change for it.

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          October 30, 2012 2:17 PM

          I bet Fox would have matched the offer.

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        October 30, 2012 2:17 PM

        I imagine there's a particularly pissed set of execs at 20th Fox right now.

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        October 30, 2012 2:22 PM

        Disney may be the only one with that kind of cash to throw around.

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          October 30, 2012 2:23 PM

          Oops forgot about Fox kind of glad they didn't end up with it.

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      October 30, 2012 2:16 PM

      Looks like we'll finally get that Star Wars musical we've all been asking for.

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      October 30, 2012 2:21 PM

      With the company's iconic properties going to Disney, a new film trilogy is being planned. Star Wars: Episode 7 is targeted for a 2015 release, with more films expected "well into the future."

      Dear god no...

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        October 30, 2012 2:26 PM

        We need another Gore Verbinski film starring Johnny Depp!

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        October 30, 2012 2:56 PM

        As long as Lucas is not a part of it, I am fine. Can't get worse.

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          October 30, 2012 6:54 PM

          When other people are running the show, I love star wars. So if he is done, wonderful.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 2:24 PM

      THE WORLD HAS GONE MAD

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      October 30, 2012 2:36 PM

      Well, since Lucas will only be a "Creative Consultant", they stand a chance of being enjoyable.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 2:45 PM

      Since he is 100% owner and chairman, does he pretty much get everything from that?

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 2:56 PM

        Yes he does. About $2 billion in cash + 40 million shares in Disney straight to George Lucas and George Lucas alone.

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          October 30, 2012 4:01 PM

          2.2% in the company, 2nd biggest shareholder

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            October 30, 2012 4:07 PM

            Dayumn.

            That's a pretty damn good deal.

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              October 30, 2012 4:08 PM

              Also, I hope that means he has 2.2% power in Disney. That's the appropriate amount of decision-making power I'd give him.

              Goddamn fucking travesties, Ep. I-III.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 2:50 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 30, 2012 2:52 PM

      Well, it can't get any worse.

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      October 30, 2012 2:52 PM

      Just heard about this on the radio. It's insane, I never would have figured Lucas to sell it during his lifetime. I thought it would remain in his estate forever.

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      October 30, 2012 2:54 PM

      Yessss cosmetic lightsaber DLC for every disney game

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      October 30, 2012 2:58 PM

      Tie. Fighter. 2. I can dream :(

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      October 30, 2012 3:04 PM

      Why don't they just buy lego as well and make it complete.

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      October 30, 2012 3:07 PM

      only 4 billion? something is off there. the movies alone make almost a billion each. not counting merchandising which probably makes more than the movies.

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      October 30, 2012 3:54 PM

      George gotta eat.

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      October 30, 2012 4:18 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 30, 2012 4:55 PM

      All I want out if this is Blu-Ray Original Trilogy theatrical versions. If the new trilogy is okay that would be cool too, but I have really low expectations.

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      October 30, 2012 4:58 PM

      That seems like an absolute bargain price, especially including ILM and the rest. Same as they paid for Marvel right?

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      October 30, 2012 5:31 PM

      Wait has it been acquired? I thought they just announced they are going to. Certainly it still needs to pass competition thingies.

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        October 30, 2012 7:50 PM

        They've been secretly working on the deal for the last 1.5 years. It was acquired today.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 6:27 PM

      Just think, a few years ago we saw the successful revitalization of Star Trek. Now with someone else at the helm maybe Star Wars can be saved.

      • reply
        October 30, 2012 7:05 PM

        hopefully nobody associated with Lost is involved.

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 6:35 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 30, 2012 7:51 PM

      I just hope this doesn't affect Star Wars 1313

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        October 30, 2012 7:53 PM

        It is now called "Jar Jar and Goofy's Christmas Spectacular!"

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        October 30, 2012 8:34 PM

        *falls off Slave 1 ship into abyss* <insert Goofy HOO HOO HOO HOOOOOEYYYYY here>

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          October 31, 2012 12:18 AM

          it's been a while since I watch an old disney cartoon but I heard that yell as I read it :D

    • reply
      October 30, 2012 8:53 PM

      Jar Jar Sith and the voice of Mike Myers (scottish accent) as Ben Kinobi's ghost. Gilbert Godfrey as the inner monologue of Luke JR's pet baby rancor. Daniel Day Lewis as R2-D2.

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      October 30, 2012 10:02 PM

      For the love of God don't cancel my Star Wars The Clone Wars TV animation please!

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      October 30, 2012 10:25 PM

      Maybe we will get the third trilogy out of this and it wont be stupid.

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      October 30, 2012 10:36 PM

      They bought it because they will be the new "Sony" i.e. company who makes the next media format that replaces blue-ray: The Cosmic-Ray disc! Since it is 12 million times the storage capacity of todays blu-ray, it will be the size of a pinhead. And it might not even be a disc. All their movies will get re-released in the 'million different endings' version, each with its own set of special features, 6 to 8 hours per version. Now, when watching your favorite movie, quantum -randomness will pick, at random, one of a million different versions of the movie you have. Every time you watch it, it's new!

      The U.S. govt. is pushing this because with new discoveries in extending life expectancies by a factor of 10, they know people will need shit to do all that time. And disney is the perfect partner to make it all happen, what with all their entertainment catalog titles and long-time experience.

      Expect soon to hear that Disney has bought Sony, Columbia pictures, focus features, and MGM. Let us hope our new god will be benevolent, no more ja-jar binks!

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      October 30, 2012 11:58 PM

      Star Wars Amusement Park....FUCK YES!

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      October 31, 2012 7:29 AM

      It's such a bandwagon thing to do for Disney to say they want to focus on social and mobile more than consoles for AAA LucasArts games.

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      October 31, 2012 7:51 AM

      Maybe Disney will follow the current Hollywood trend and Star Wars 7 is a reboot.... in 3D....

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