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Lucasfilm

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Lucasfilm Ltd.
IndustryFilm
Founded1971
HeadquartersLetterman Digital Arts Center
Presidio of San Francisco, California, United States
Key people
George Lucas
(Chairman and CEO)
Kathleen Kennedy
(President)
ProductsMotion pictures
ParentThe Walt Disney Company
Websitehttp://www.lucasfilm.com

Lucasfilm Limited is an American film production company founded by George Lucas in 1971, based in San Francisco, California. Lucas is the company's current co-chairman and CEO, with his intended successor Kathleen Kennedy currently acting as co-chair.[1][2]

The company is best known for producing the Star Wars films, and has also produced other box office hits, including the Indiana Jones franchise and American Graffiti. It has also been a leader in developing new film technology in special effects, sound, and computer animation, and because of their expertise its subsidiaries often help produce non-Lucasfilm pictures. Lucasfilm is set to move away from films and more into TV, due to rising budgets.[3]

On July 8, 2005, Lucasfilm's marketing, online, and licensing units moved into the new Letterman Digital Arts Center located in the Presidio in San Francisco. It shares the complex with Industrial Light & Magic and LucasArts.

Lucasfilm had planned an expansion at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, CA, but shelved the plan due to opposition from neighbors. Lucasfilms plans to expand elsewhere.[4]

On October 30, 2012, The Walt Disney Company announced a deal to acquire Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, approximately half in cash and half in shares of Disney stock.[5] Lucasfilm and Disney had previously collaborated at times to create Star Wars and Indiana Jones attractions for various Walt Disney Parks and Resort attractions worldwide. A new trilogy of Star Wars films was announced at the same time, starting in 2015.[6]

History

Walt Disney acquisition

Kathleen Kennedy, current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become president of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars, working directly with Disney's global lines of business to build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant.[7]

The acquisition combines two highly compatible family entertainment brands, and strengthens the long-standing beneficial relationship between them that includes successful integration of Star Wars content into Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo.

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Lucasfilm, a leader in entertainment, innovation and technology, and its operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, videogames, animation, visual effects, and audio postproduction. Disney will also acquire the substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies that have kept audiences enthralled for many years. The present intent is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations.[8]

The company also announced the future release of new Star Wars movies, coming out in 2014.[9]

Subsidiaries

Former subsidiaries

Filmography

Film Year Director Distributor Tomatometer Gross
American Graffiti 1973 George Lucas Universal Studios 97% $115,000,000
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 1977 George Lucas 20th Century Fox 94% $775,398,007
More American Graffiti 1979 Bill L. Norton Universal Studios 22% $15,014,674
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 1980 Irvin Kershner 20th Century Fox 97% $538,375,067
Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 Steven Spielberg Paramount Pictures 94% $384,140,454
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 1983 Richard Marquand 20th Century Fox 79% $475,106,177
Twice Upon a Time 1983 John Korty & Charles Swenson Warner Bros. N/A N/A
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984 Steven Spielberg Paramount Pictures 85% $333,107,271
Latino 1985 Haskell Wexler Cinecom N/A N/A
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters 1985 Paul Schrader Warner Bros. 95% $502,758
Labyrinth 1986 Jim Henson TriStar Pictures 62% $12,729,917
Howard the Duck 1986 Willard Huyck Universal Studios 16% $37,962,774
Willow 1988 Ron Howard Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 46% $57,269,863
Tucker: The Man and His Dream 1988 Francis Ford Coppola Paramount Pictures 86% $19,652,638
The Land Before Time 1988 Don Bluth Universal Studios/Amblin Entertainment 73% $48,092,846
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 1989 Steven Spielberg Paramount Pictures 89% $474,171,806
Radioland Murders 1994 Mel Smith Universal Studios 19% $1,316,865
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 1999 George Lucas 20th Century Fox 57% $924,317,558
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones 2002 George Lucas 20th Century Fox 67% $649,398,328
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 2005 George Lucas 20th Century Fox 80% $848,754,768
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 2008 Steven Spielberg Paramount Pictures 77% $786,636,033
Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008 Dave Filoni Warner Bros. Pictures 19% $68,282,844
Red Tails 2012 Anthony Hemingway 20th Century Fox 36% $48,832,821

Canceled films

In development

Status unknown

Television series

Television films and specials

Other productions

See also

References

  1. ^ "Kathleen Kennedy to become Co-Chair of Lucasfilm Ltd.", StarWars.com, June 1, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  2. ^ Richard Verrier and Ben Fritz, "Kathleen Kennedy to helm Lucasfilm as George Lucas phases out", Los Angeles Times, June 02, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  3. ^ Cohen, David S. (2006-10-04). "Lucas tilts at studio tentpoles". Variety. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
  4. ^ http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-ritzy-neighbors-block-skywalker-ranch-expansion-20120521,0,7327395.story
  5. ^ "Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd". Yahoo!. 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  6. ^ "Disney purchases Lucasfilm, announces new Star Wars". 3 News. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  7. ^ "NEW STAR WARS MOVIES ANNOUNCED AS DISNEY ENTERS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE LUCASFILM LTD". http://starwars.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Smith, Ethan (October 30, 2012). "Mickey, Darth Vader Join Forces in $4.05 Billion Deal". The Wallstreet Journal Online. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  9. ^ "NEW STAR WARS MOVIES ANNOUNCED AS DISNEY ENTERS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE LUCASFILM LTD". http://starwars.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ According to an interview with Warwick Davis, a second sequel to Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure was at least in the planning stages around the late 1980s, but the project has been shown to have never come through. The plot of the film, if one was ever developed, was never published.
  11. ^ Staff (2009). "Tails from Monkey Island". Retro Gamer (70). Imagine Publishing: 28–35. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. ^ Peaty, James. "Rick McCallum interview: Dennis Potter, Star Wars TV series, George Lucas & Red Tails" Den of Geek.com, June 2012.
  13. ^ Shawn Adler (2008-06-13). "Warwick Davis Enthusiastic About Possibility For 'Willow 2′". MTV News. Retrieved 2012-06-23.