The film slate had been quiet since 2008, when Star Wars: The Clone Wars hit theaters as a bridge to the animated series of the same name. That release was really a pivot point, tying live action into a broader universe fans were discovering on screen and on TV. The public mood around the saga was changing too, and Halloween outfits hinted that Jedi might not dominate costume racks the way they once did.
Disney stepped in with a game-changing move last week by acquiring Lucasfilm Ltd. for 4.05 billion dollars. Immediate plans announced included a Star Wars Episode VII slated for a 2015 debut. While details remained sparse, the expectation was clear: a robust dose of lightsaber action and expansive starfighter battles would be part of the new chapter, setting the stage for a major reboot of the franchise in live action.
That major shift has sparked widespread discussion about the direction of stories set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Will Luke Skywalker and Han Solo return to the screen? How will the next trilogy relate to the Expanded Universe books that expanded the lore for decades? Could Boba Fett cross paths with Iron Man, given Disney’s ownership of both Lucasfilm and Marvel?
George Lucas, the creator who started it all, will still serve as a creative consultant for the films. He has contributed outlines for episodes seven through nine, and his involvement marks a transitional moment as new leadership begins to shape the future. After a long, CGI-driven journey, the franchise now moves forward with fresh energy while honoring its origins and history with Lucas, Star Wars, and the fans who have followed them for years.
Did You Know?
- Before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Lucas’s most famous work was American Graffiti, a film about teenagers navigating the 1960s.
- George Lucas helped write every Indiana Jones movie and acted as executive producer on the series as a whole.
- Chewbacca was inspired by Lucas’s dog, an Alaskan Malamute named Indiana. The pet’s name also influenced the famous archaeologist’s moniker, Indiana Jones.
- Industrial Light & Magic was created by Lucas specifically for Star Wars and grew into a major effects studio later known for work on Avatar, Rango, and The Hunger Games among many others.
- There was talk that Disney owning Star Wars could make Leia a Disney Princess in the broader merchandising universe.
- The $4.05 billion Lucasfilm sale was announced with the intention that the proceeds would be donated to a foundation focused on education and learning, a detail many found admirable and newsworthy.