A New Star Wars Movie Is Coming in 2015!

A New Star Wars Movie Is Coming in 2015

Purchase of Lucasfilms Ltd. by Walt Disney – Does that mean there’s a new Star Wars film coming?

Film mogul George Lucas announced on October 13, 2012 that he was selling Lucasfilm Ltd. to The Walt Disney Company. Of course, this includes the successful and profitable Star Wars franchise. This move bewildered most Star Warsfollowers all over the world. Fans of the film series opined that the move was a kind of betrayal. They never thought Lucas would sell out. But then again, the fact that Lucas sold his company to Walt Disney may be the only feasible way that the fans would see more Star Wars films.

Also included in Walt Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilms Ltd. was LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound.

Since the transfer of the Lucasfilm’s ownership to Walt Disney is complete and the ink has dried, many of the fans can’t help asking, will there be another Star Wars movie?

The answer is… yes!

The answer is a resounding “yes.” After Walt Disney bought Lucasfilms Ltd. to the tune of $4.06 billion (yes, billion), the former announced that another Star Wars prequel will come out in 2015. Despite Disney’s purchase of the company, Lucas still won’t throw in the towel, so to speak. He will still serve as the creative consultant of the upcoming Star Wars film as well as future Star Warsoutings. Film producer Kathleen Kennedy, who has contributed box-office hits such as E.T. the Extraterrestrial and the Jurassic Parkfilms, became president of Lucasfilms following Disney’s acquisition of the company. She will serve as the executive producer of the new Star Wars film.

At the time he relinquished his control of Lucasfilms and the Star Wars franchise, Lucas said, “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.” (source: Forbes.com)

He is also positive and hopeful for the franchise under Kennedy’s and Disney’s involvement, that Star Wars “will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come.” (source: Forbes.com)

So, what else is known about the new movie?

Around the time Disney purchased Lucasfilms, Lucas also turned over story treatments for the new Star Wars film to Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger. The treatment of two future Star Wars films were also included. However, details of the plot for the new film have been kept a secret.

But overall, this is really good news for the Star Wars fanatics. Not only will they have a new Star Wars film to watch after 10 years, but they can look forward to the remaining installments being released every two to three years after that.

J. J. Abrams, who helmed the twoStar Trek films and Mission: Impossible III, was chosen to direct the upcoming Star Wars film. He was also appointed to write the screenplay, along with Michael Arndt and Lawrence Kasdan. Arndt is a renowned screenwriter who received Oscar nominations for Toy Story 3and also co-wrote the screenplay ofThe Hunger Games. Kasdan is also a veteran in this field. His writing credits include Raiders of the Lost Ark as well as two Star Wars films (The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi). Kasdan is also a director and producer.

As of this writing, filming for the Star Wars’s seventh installment will commence this May, and is expected to hit the theaters on December 18, 2015. This new movie will serve as a sequel to Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, which is the sixth installment out of the original nine but was the third movie released.

Other films included in this series:

  • Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, released in 1999
  • Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, released in 2002
  • Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, released in 2005
  • Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, released in 1977
  • Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1980
  • Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, released in 1983

An animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars began in 2008 and was enjoyed by the Star Wars fans, old and young alike. The series continues on Cartoon Network and is set between episodes 2 and 3.

It has been said that cast members of the episodes IV, V and VI Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill would appear in the new movie. While it would be nice to see the original actors in the new Star Wars film, it is highly unlikely based on the current ages of the actors. What will the new Star Wars film be like? Will it be as good as the original movies? Will it faithfully follow George Lucas’ vision? Only Disney and time will tell.

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