Lucas hands the keys of 'Star Wars' to Disney, can they replicate the success they had with Marvel?

He said there were nine films, but after completing the prequel trilogy, for George Lucas, the thought of doing three more (especially after the criticism he got, despite their financial success) seemed to fill him with dread.

The Man Who Created Star Wars had been saying he wanted to retire for years now and work on more projects that fulfilled him –his love of technology and what it can do has always fascinated him. And the success of his Star Wars Empire gave him the ability to expand those interests and become what he always seemed destined to be, a philanthropist.

But as long as we’ve all known his desire to leave the corporate world, it seemed he equally adept at putting it off. Today’s announcement, which caught the entertainment media off guard, put all of that to rest. While no word was given as to when talks between Disney and Lucas began, part of it seemed to start as far back as May, when Kathleen Kennedy announced she was stepping down co-head of the Kennedy/Marshall production company and become the co-chair of Lucasfilm with its founder and CEO, George Lucas. Kennedy, with her husband Frank Marshall, has had a long association Lucas dating back to late 1970’s when she was working with Steven Spielberg (and who help form Amblin Entertainment). It would seem then, Lucas really began to work on getting out of Lucasfilm altogether, leaving the day-to-day operations to someone he trusts implicitly, which seems to be Kennedy.

Since the success of A New Hope back in 1977 -and Lucas’ statement that he considered his series to be nine movies in all- the world wide fan base has been wondering if we would see all three trilogies. After 1983’s Return of the Jedi, fans waited to see something from Lucas, only to see nothing but promises that “eventually” he would return to the Star Wars universe. 

And in 1991, he did. Somewhat.

But it was not the media everyone wanted or expected. In May of that year, Bantam Books began what would be the first of many Star Wars related novels set after the events of Return of the Jedi (though there had been one original novel before that, Alan Dean Foster’s Splinter in the Mind’s Eye which came out in 1978 and was intended as a low-budget sequel to Star Wars if the original film had bombed. Interestingly, since Foster had “ghostwritten” the novelization to Star Wars, he had access to a ton of notes that Lucas had made during all the years of preproduction, most that were dropped as the film progressed. Foster took those notes and expanded on them for Splinter, which is probably why this novel remains one of the most influential of all the original novels that followed).  And while the Expanded Universe –as it eventually became known as- offered adventures of Luke, Leia and Han after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire (and would also, in time, offer adventures set during the original series, albeit taking place between filmed adventures) their actual impact on the movie franchise was never accepted. Like all book media of popular TV or movie franchises, the novels conical nature indicated that unless it happened on screen, the novels were seen as existing in parallel universe.  

Then came 1999 and The Phantom Menace. The first new Star Wars film in sixteen years was a huge hit, but hardcore fans, the first generation so to speak, found the first film in the prequel trilogy disappointing.  And while the novels continued and two more prequel movies followed, each one getting hated more and more by those First Generators (the second Generators seemed to take a less personal issue with these films, not questioning the lazy writing, the banal direction and the cardboard acting and just seeing a visually eye-popping film series) fans began to wonder if we would see episode 7 through nine, because nothing could be worse than The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

Like any huge corporate media company, Disney can be seen as soulless. But within that system of shareholder value at all costs, they had the smarts to buy Pixar and Marvel and then allow the brain trusts that ran those divisions the creativity, and (somewhat) the freedom to make commercial and very highly profitable films. And as George Lucas knew back in 1977, the key to any financial empire’s growth is merchandising. These ancillary products allowed Lucas the freedom he always wanted, while studios kicked themselves wondering why they never thought that this could be an easy revenue stream. And Disney, love them or hate them, has been doing this for generations. Since 1955, they’ve made a slick business out of selling products associated with their movies and theme parks; and handing the keys of Lucasfilm to them means decades more of profit and shareholder value.

Onto the new film, as Lucas mentions he has outlines for the three films in the final trilogy. I’m guessing Kathleen Kennedy will try to keep to those outline as much as possible, but since she’ll be hiring a writer to flesh those outlines out, it will be interesting where a better writer and even better director can take Episode 7, 8, and 9. 

I would assume that none of them have anything to do with the Expanded Universe, though many have said that Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy (the first novels to come out after Return of the Jedi) would make a great trilogy. And over time, Zahn’s Heir to Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command became the third Star Wars movie series that never got filmed.

But there are still questions that need to be answered. What is the fate of the proposed live-action TV series that has been in development for years and years? According to dopey producer Rick McCallum (who hopefully will not be part of this transition), they had many, many completed scripts, but was waiting for some nebulas time in the future to able to produce them cheaper. Now that Disney controls it, and the ABC network that it would air on if it gets made, will we now see a stripped down version  of it sooner than later? And what of The Clone Wars, the CGI animated series currently running on rival cable channel The Cartoon Network? It’s currently airing its fifth season, and will surpass 100 episodes sometime in 2013. Will that show finally complete its arc –for those who don’t know, that series is set between Episode II and III of the movie franchise- this season and end or will it be renewed and stay in place? 

If I was a betting man, I suspect with this move, that show will probably end and begin airing reruns on a Disney run cable channel, though it could just as well produce a sixth season. 

In the end, this can be nothing but good news for Star Wars fans, whatever generation you come from. With Episode VII now scheduled for 2015, let the speculation begin with who’ll write from Lucas’ treatments and who is worthy of a director to bring another Star Wars film to the giant movie houses for the next generation of fans. If this new trilogy is run like The Clone Wars TV series, then I have faith that –at least creatively- the franchise will have a chance to put aside the bitterness left by episode I, II, and III. 

Disney buys Lucasfilm & announces 'Star Wars: Episode 7' for 2015

In a come out left field announcement, Disney has acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion and has already announced Star Wars: Episode 7 for summer 2015. 

Said George Lucas on the sale: “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.”

Disney also acquires the technologies from the San Francisco-based company, which operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound. Lucasfilm made Kennedy co-chairman back in June, as the apparent heir to Lucas, who was stepping away from the blockbuster film making and getting into smaller, more personal projects that did not rely on the bean counters and studio heads diluting scripts to appeal to a broader audience. Kennedy will now become president of Lucasfilm, and will be reporting to Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn.

What is known about a new Star Wars installment is that Kathleen Kennedy would be executive producer on Episode 7 and any more Star Wars movies beyond that, and that Lucas would serve as creative consultant only, meaning he’ll no longer have a say in its creative direction. Also, what will be the fate of Star Wars: The Clone Wars series which airs on rival cable net Cartoon Network? 

For many fans, enamored with the Original series and not the prequels, there is much joy, as many have said Lucas lost his way creatively over the years. Still, what remains unanswered is whether the new Star Wars movie will use any of the Expanded Universe novels that have come out in the last 20 years (not to mention the comic books and graphic novels) or go in a new direction. Also, would they involve original Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher or Harrison Ford?

Or, would they just reboot the franchise? 

While no one saw this coming, Lucas has been working with Disney for years, especially at their theme parks. The revamped Star Tours ride at Disneyland was a huge success when it re-opened last year and continues to remain a popular attraction, mostly for its multiple versions of the ride which can give people new experiences each time the take the ride. Plus, Disney has their favorite characters dressed as Star Wars characters already, so the fact that the studio bought Lucasfilm seems a logical extension of both Star Wars and Disney merchandising products.

'Community' to return in February

Thanks to a Tweet by Community star Yvette Nicole Brown, we now know that the shows (probable final) 13 episodes fourth season will begin February 7, 2013, and in its old Thursday 8pm timeslot.

For me, this is not unexpected. After NBC pulled the show from its October 19 premier, I speculated that they would not begin airing the show until January. Mostly, because, I assumed they would wait until the end of 30 Rock and then slide the show into that 8pm timeslot. 

I was off by a month. 

Still, note the announcement comes from Brown and not NBC, which still won't commit publicly about its return. While it's known that Thursday remains an issue with the network, and they've struggled to find shows that work with their quick-witted but odd line-up, it remains one the best nights for smart TV. Sadly, though, NBC's entertainment chairman has said that the network will be moving away from these type of shows in the future so they can focus more on broad comedies that while expensive, are more cheaper than single-camera shows.

NBC not moving forward with 'The Office' spin-off

In a surprise move, NBC has put the kibosh on The Office spin-off The Farm. The series, to star Rainn Wilson as Dwight, was to have its pilot episode as part of the final season of The Office. Word is the pilot will be seen within the show, but nothing more beyond. Wilson also confirmed it on Twitter. “NBC has passed on moving forward with The Farm TV show,” he wrote. “Had a blast making the pilot – onwards & upwards!” This is the second time in the last few weeks NBC has killed a show after filming the pilots and promoting it. Bryan Fuller’s Mockingbird Lane was cancelled after the pilot was made as well, though the Peacock Network aired it on Friday last week to better than expected numbers and mixed to good reviews. The Farm idea has been floating around for more than a year, while Mockingbird Lane had a two-year development period at the cost of $10 million. Part of the reason may be that three other stars of The Office, which ends its run in May, have deals with NBC meaning something may have had to give.

'Up All Night' changes format; Dan Harmon on 'Adult Swim', 'Torchwood' not coming back anytime soon

NBC’s moderately successful Up All Night, which tweaked its premise and dropped some of their recurring cast members and added Luka Jones for season two, will have another change as the Peacock Network announced that the show will go on hiatus in December (when a lot of shows go into reruns until after the holidays). When it returns in the spring, the show’s format will change from a single camera format to a mutli-camera one, with live audience and canned laughter. When the show finishes filming episode 11, the production will shut down for three months as it’s converted to its new format. Then they’ll tape 5 episodes to comprise its 16 episode season order. While this is certainly strange, this format change has happened before (according to Collider, Happy Days was a single camera sitcom until season three when it changed its format to a live audience). Still, what is odd is doing it halfway through its season. On the other hand, the show is from Lorne Michaels and apparently it was his suggestion to change format, citing stars Christina Applegate and Maya Rudolph’s ability to handle live audiences. Of course, moving to this new format will make the series cheaper –no more location work (like where the image from above is taken at the North Hollywood bookstore Iliad) - so this could also be interpreted as cost saving plan.

Former Community showrunner/creator Dan Harmon –who’s firing from that NBC show may have been a blessing- has sold an animated series to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim called Rick and Morty, which is about a brilliant inventor and his dumbass grandson that will premiere in late 2013. Harmon is also at work on deals at FOX and CBS as well as working on an animated film with the always weird and talented Charlie Kaufman. 

Russell T Davies confirms that while Torchwood is not “cancelled,” the show will remain in limbo for a while. He told Graham Norton that “I loved making it over there (in the USA), and I would have carried on if circumstances hadn't brought me back to this country, so it's kind of in limbo for me at the moment. It's not officially (cancelled), it's in a nice limbo where it can stew - those shows can come back in ten, twenty years’ time.” This basically means IF the show was to return, it certainly will not look like it does now.