The Walt Disney Company last night announced that it has acquired Lucasfilm, the studio behind Star Wars, in a deal worth over $4 billion USD.
Included in the transaction were companies Lucasarts (Star Wars 1313), Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound. But perhaps most interestingly, the announcement confirmed Star Wars: Episode 7 is in the pipeline, with a 2015 release likely.
In a statement accompanying the announcement George Lucas said: "For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. 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."