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Disney has bought Lucas Arts including the rights to the Star Wars franchise and plans to release an Episode 7 in 2015.

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-news/press-releases/2012/10/disney-acquire-lucasfilm-ltd

I first saw this on Facebook. I clicked the link, expecting an article originating from the Onion.

On one hand, very few movies could be worse than TPM. On the other hand, Disney has a way with screwing up stories.

I'm -1ing that for the horror it brings me, not because you posted it.

This will be utterly pathetic. Disney, just... pathetic.

Let me tell you the best five words you have ever dreamed: Joss Whedon Presents Star Wars.

I was just thinking that the next time the Earth is in danger, the Avengers can add their newest member - the jedi assigned to this solar system.

As a Disney Cast Member, I am quite excited about this. Knowing how much land and how many resources Disney has, I can foresee a Star Wars theme park in the near future. Disney needed a name big enough to topple Universal Studios' Harry Potter World.

The next Kingdom Hearts game is going to be really good.

Soul Caliber already had Yoda and Darth Vader, FWIW

We get Jar Jar now

The only point of that would be intentionally letting him get beaten up.

Quote from: Rawrlolsauce! on October 30, 2012, 10:57:17 PM

We get Jar Jar now

The only point of that would be intentionally letting him get beaten up.

I would pay for that.

look at the bright side, we get new attractions at disneyworld and disneyland theme parks!!!

You have a chance at "Marveland" in CA, but we don't here in FL. Universal Studios already has "Superhero Landing" with Marvel characters, including the awesome Spider-Man ride. Disney's agreement with Marvel upon aquisition was that they were not going to interfere with existing partnerships.

On the other hand, Disney already has Indiana Jones Stunt Show and Star Tours at Hollywood Studios. There is nothing stopping them from expanding their use of the Star Wars theme for rides.

On a side note, I'm not sure I understand all the disdain for Disney.

I'd rather have Lucas messing up Star Wars then Disney messing up Star Wars. Unless Disney gets a good director that shall be what happens.

Again, what is the basis for this animosity toward Disney? What franchises have they "messed up" since Iger took over? Avengers turned out pretty well for the Marvel franchise. And you can't say "John Carter," because that was not an existing franchise. Disney's "Imagineers" have certainly lost their touch, but they have no loss of resources to pour into their subsidiaries (i.e. Pixar). Lucas was pretty fond of using unknown actors, mostly to keep his costs down. But Disney will pour out the dough to bring in big names, even if just for their voices.

Make no mistake that Disney will create a child-centered version of Star Wars for use in their theme parks and for merchandising. But the cash flow from that will fund big-budget films for certain. It sounds like Lucas already chose his successor to oversee the future of the Star Wars franchise, and Iger is not likely to stifle their creativity. He has let the franchises run themselves so far (except for merchandising and marketing).

I think the disgust for this merger is a bit premature. I realize that my opinion may seem biased as a Cast Member, but since I work in the parking lot, I'd like to think I'm a little bit more objective than the guys on the inside. 

Messy Mondays: Dear Disney, Please Don't Ruin Star Wars.

Or, if you don't want to watch the whole video, here are some memorable quotes:

Spoiler (hover to show)

No need to ruin Star Wars, George Lucas already did!

I'm not feeling very good anymore, because, after all, Disney are the ones who brought us such classics as: Lion King 2, Lady and the Tramp 2, Jungle Book 2, Pocahontas 2, Little Mermaid 2, and who can forget Lion King 1 and 1/2.

These people are going to make so many Star Wars movies that they're going to stop numbering them. Like LAND BEFORE TIME did.

Do I see Fast and the Furious 10, or Star Wars meet The Avengers?

If I were Disney, here's what I would do: I would find the master copies of episodes 1-3 and I would DESTROY THEM. And then I'd put out a press release saying episodes 1-3 are no longer a part of the Star Wars universe. And then I'd do nothing else with Star Wars ever ever ever ever ever.

Not to mention I never want to have this conversation with my child:
"Daaad, I want to watch the new Star Wars, not the old ones!"
"Oh please, I'll even watch Phantom Menace, I just do not want to watch Star Wars Episode 15 again."

But then, maybe Disney is A New Hope for Star Wars...

(Batman speaking) "You want to make Star Wars good again? Well I've got two words for you: Christopher Nolan. Your move, Mickey Mouse."

I actually really liked the Lion King sequels. Pocahontas 2 wasn't bad either.

I can't believe I just read you saying that.

It is worth noting that those movies were released direct to video, which means they were not intended for general audiences, only for those who were fans of the first movie. A more fair gauge would be Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, or Cars 2.

Return of Jaffar is comparable to Aladdin. Forty Thieves wasn't bad either.

Sequels are generally not as good at the original, but let's be fair here. I don't think anyone's complaining about The Empire Strikes Back. "Sequel" doesn't have to mean "bad," and Disney can be behind a great movie (especially if someone else is actually helming it).

It's not like one can say Disney is the home of bad sequels. They're batting well above the industry average. Even Back to the Future, considered one of the greatest trilogies, has some weak sequels. Nolan's Batman is one of the only franchises in recent memory with critically acclaimed sequels.

But Disney has been doing fine with comprable, big budget productions like Narnia or Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm not saying The Dark Knight has anything to worry about, but those had fine sequels. While I understand thinking Pixar is its own thing, Toy Story 3 was made post-merger, and it was beautiful. They knew they needed to make a film for the people that loved the first two, and boy did they deliver. With all the new Marvel content they've got, I'm not sure they even need to do random sequels anymore.

Considering Joss is sticking around for Avengers 2, I think it's clear Disney knows these big projects deserve big talent that can tell an authentic franchise story. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say he was the most qualified person for the job, and Disney execs knew to choose him.

As far as Nolan directing Star Wars, I think it would be tough. He has no fantasy background, and his humor style doesn't really fit. In addition, he seems to be chasing that Best Director award, so I doubt another trilogy is in his future. That said, he could certainly direct the right script.

Quote from: soul seeker on November 01, 2012, 12:41:34 AM

IMO, Pixar is not worth counting as "Disney" movies...to me they are in a class of themselves.

You're missing the point. Disney acquired Pixar, but did not interfere with their work.

Actually if you look closely, Mickey makes a cameo appearance in every Pixar and Marvel movie.

 Ok, heard on the Radio, that not only will there be a episode seven, but an eight and nine! Ok, but honestly, I looked it up on utube, and saw the fan trailer and it didnt look as horrible as I thought. My original thought was that the story of Luke would continue but it is 7,000 years after he died!

Quote from: hi123 on November 01, 2012, 06:43:58 PM

Ok, heard on the Radio, that not only will there be a episode seven, but an eight and nine! Ok, but honestly, I looked it up on utube, and saw the fan trailer and it didnt look as horrible as I thought. My original thought was that the story of Luke would continue but it is 7,000 years after he died!

That is a fan trailer, there have been no details on the new movie yet. Not even a leak or real rumor.

Closest thing I've got to a leak - the LA Times is indicating that the new movies will be based on original ideas, i.e. nothing seen in any of the books (so no Thrawn trilogy).  Question remains, of course, as to how the material from the EU (Expanded Universe, including books, comics, video games, etc.) will be treated by these new movies.

Well I bought Disney stock for a 5 year or so investment so I pray it works out. 

Kirk

Nolan's Batman is one of the only franchises in recent memory with critically acclaimed sequels.

Just had to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Lord of the Rings