Today The Walt Disney Company announced that is will be acquiring LucasFilm Ltd. DIsney is purchasing LucasFilm in a stock and cash transaction from the company’s sole stakeholder George Lucas. At closing today the deal is worth about $4.05 billion, Disney will pay half in cash and the remainder will be 40 million shares of Disney stock.
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value.”
Under the deal Disney will own not only LucasFilm and its intelectual property, including the Star Wars franchise, but also LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound.
Also announced with the deal is that Star Wars Episode 7 will launch in theater in 2015 with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. This also won’t be the last Star Wars film as other films are in the pipeline to further grow the franchise.
For the full press release head over to The Walt Disney Company website.
