Lucasfilm
This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (October 2012) |
File:Lucasfilm Ltd. logo.svg | |
Industry | Film |
---|---|
Founded | 1971 |
Headquarters | Letterman Digital Arts Center Presidio of San Francisco, California, United States |
Key people | George Lucas (Chairman and CEO) Kathleen Kennedy (President) |
Products | Motion pictures |
Parent | The Walt Disney Company |
Website | http://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
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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]
Related companies
Subsidiaries
- Industrial Light & Magic - visual effects
- Skywalker Sound - post-production sound design
- LucasArts - video and computer games
- Lucas Licensing - licensing and merchandising
- Lucas Learning - educational materials
- Lucas Books - book publishing
- Lucasfilm Animation - animation
- Lucas Marketing - marketing
- Lucas Online - websites
Former subsidiaries
- THX Ltd. - theater sound system (spun off in 2001)
- Pixar Animation Studios - computer animation film production company (sold to Steve Jobs in 1986, and is now a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company).
- Kerner Optical - Practical effects division (model shop) and 3D development team (spun off from ILM in 2006)
Filmography
Canceled films
- Ewoks III (Late 1980s)[10]
- The Curse of Monkey Island (2000)[11]
In development
- Star Wars live-action TV series (TBA)[12]
- Untitled CGI Animated Musical Project
- Star Wars Episode VII (2015)
Status unknown
Television series
- Star Wars: Droids (1985-1986)
- Star Wars: Ewoks (1985-1987)
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1996)
- Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-present)
- Star Wars Detours (2012-present)
Television films and specials
- The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) (uncredited)
- Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984)
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985)
- The Great Heep (1986)
Other productions
- The Making of Star Wars (1977) (produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television)
- SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television)
- From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga (1983) (produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television)
- Return of the Ewok (1982)
- Captain EO (1986)
- Star Tours (1987)
- R2-D2: Beneath the Dome (2001)
- Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004) (produced by Prometheus Entertainment in association with Fox Television Studios)
- Lego Star Wars shorts:
- Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed (2007) (produced by Prometheus Entertainment in association with The History Channel)
- Lego Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick (2008)
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (2011)
See also
References
- ^ "Kathleen Kennedy to become Co-Chair of Lucasfilm Ltd.", StarWars.com, June 1, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Cohen, David S. (2006-10-04). "Lucas tilts at studio tentpoles". Variety. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
- ^ http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-ritzy-neighbors-block-skywalker-ranch-expansion-20120521,0,7327395.story
- ^ "Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd". Yahoo!. 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
- ^ "Disney purchases Lucasfilm, announces new Star Wars". 3 News. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ "NEW STAR WARS MOVIES ANNOUNCED AS DISNEY ENTERS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE LUCASFILM LTD". http://starwars.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
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- ^ Smith, Ethan (October 30, 2012). "Mickey, Darth Vader Join Forces in $4.05 Billion Deal". The Wallstreet Journal Online. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ "NEW STAR WARS MOVIES ANNOUNCED AS DISNEY ENTERS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE LUCASFILM LTD". http://starwars.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
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- ^ 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.
- ^ Staff (2009). "Tails from Monkey Island". Retro Gamer (70). Imagine Publishing: 28–35.
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ignored (help) - ^ Peaty, James. "Rick McCallum interview: Dennis Potter, Star Wars TV series, George Lucas & Red Tails" Den of Geek.com, June 2012.
- ^ Shawn Adler (2008-06-13). "Warwick Davis Enthusiastic About Possibility For 'Willow 2′". MTV News. Retrieved 2012-06-23.