Disney pays $2.52 bn for Lucasfilm

on 30/10/2012 20:32:21

Disney is paying US $4.05 billion (€3.12 billion) to buy Lucasfilm Ltd, the production company behind Star Wars, from its chairman and founder, George Lucas.

It is also making a seventh film in the Star Wars series.

The Walt Disney Co announced the agreement to make the purchase in cash and stock today. Disney added that Star Wars Episode 7 is scheduled for release in 2015.

The deal brings Lucasfilm under the Disney banner with other brands including Pixar, Marvel, ESPN and ABC.

Kathleen Kennedy, the co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become its president and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucas will be creative consultant on new Star Wars films.

Lucas said in a statement, "It's now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers."