Disney buys Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion

The entertainment giant announces the purchase of George Lucas' empire and announces a new installment of the 'Star Wars' saga in 2015. Disney's reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to break new ground in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment and consumer products.

The entertainment giant Walt Disney announced this Tuesday the acquisition of Lucasfilm, until now in the hands of film director George Lucas.

The operation has been valued at 4,050 million dollars. Disney will pay about half of that sum in cash and issue about 40 million shares upon closing of the acquisition of the film studios famous for the saga films. Star Wars.

The purchase of Lucasfilm follows in the wake of large purchase operations by Pixar, Marvel, ESPN and ABC.

Disney has also announced that they are preparing a seventh film for 2015. star wars, which will be titled Episode 7. George Lucas will advise on filming as a creative consultant.

“It's time to pass Star Wars to another generation of filmmakers. I have always believed that Star Wars could outlive me, and I thought it was important to make this transition while I live. I am confident that Lucasfilm will remain under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedt, and that by having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will live on and be sustained for many generations to come. “Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to break new ground in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment and consumer products,” said George Lucas.

“This transaction combines a world-class portfolio that includes Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises, with Disney's unique and unparalleled creativity, across its multiple platforms,” said Walt Disney Company CEO Robert A. Iger.

Lucasfilm was created in 1971 by George Lucas, and became known worldwide thanks to the development of special effects and computer animation of the popular space saga, and other hits such as Indiana Jones.

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