Holy Out of this world news House of Mouse Just bought Lucas film

[lowky]

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/10/30/disney-buying-lucasfilm-new-star-wars-film/

[eytanz]

At least in the sites I've seen, this mostly has been met with some (very) cautious optimism - the general consensus being that no-one can do worse by the Star Wars universe than Lucas himself has, so maybe it's good someone else gets a chance at it.

As for myself, I find myself pretty apathetic. Star Wars was amazing when I first saw it and its two sequels, in VHS, in the late 80s. These three movies still hold up today. Everything else in that universe that I've been exposed to was forgettable or worse, and until I hear strong reasons to believe otherwise, I expect everything new to come out of it to remain at that level.

[lowky]

I'd love to see heir to the empire made into movies

The prequels are horrible, the animated clone wars is soso, and frankly looks like it was made for very young children

I tend to agree that the series has kinda jumped the shark.

I am more concerned that Disney will own ILM, so many movies have used ILM effects, and I just wonder if ILM will still be allowed to make effects for others.  To be honest I think Disney bought it to milk Star Wars, and not have to pay ILM for effects on the Marvel movies.  I think ILM had more to do with it than anything.

[Umbrageofsnow]

I think merchandising rights have more to do with it than anything, that's where Star Wars is the most profitable.

I'd agree with eytan's cautious optimism. I loved Star Wars as a kid, the original movie has actually grown on me over the years, edging ahead of Empire as my favorite. I've been one of those people most annoyed with the constant tinkering and perhaps Disney will see fit to release the originals in an unaltered form if Lucas didn't actually destroy them. I'm happy, because I was assuming I'd have to wait for George to die before there was even a hope of that. On the other hand, rights to the Original Trilogy are tied up with Sony until 2020 I believe, so it isn't like Disney can just release those movies whenever, but they might consider it worth negotiating over.

As a franchise, there have been some good video games over the years, although nothing really amazing from a storytelling point of view, and there were actually a couple decent books (although mostly they were bantha poo). I think the movies are where Lucas constantly screwed up, or hated his fans and carried out bizarre vendettas against his original work, but LucasArts licensing division didn't do a particularly bad job, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the same system remain in place.

Also: the constant broadening of "Jump the shark"upsets me. I was going to post a big rant, but not worth it, I'll just leave this sentence.

[DKT]

Before Phantom Menace came out, this news would've terrified me. After the Prequels? I share Eytan's cautious optimism, although I'm a bit less cautious. I whole-heartedly love the original trilogy. And with the success of Marvel (specifically the Avengers), Pixar, and the Muppets, I'm hoping that we'll actually see a really fun Star Wars movie or two in the next decade. A lot depends on who they get to write and direct, but I think with the right team in place, there's not only a good chance they'll exceed the quality of the Prequels, but actually make a great Star Wars movie/trilogy.

(Also, as someone who goes to Disneyland on a semi-regular basis, more Star Wars rides sounds pretty good to me! Star Tours is great fun.)

[lowky]

It sounds like from one of Lucas' soundbites, that the script is written for a 7th movie and he would remain as creative consultant for it, which makes me think that it will be in line with the prequels.  Only way i can see for any continuity with characters we have grown to love (which is probably a big part of the problem with the prequels) is to introduce children of Luke, Han, Leia, etc. with the original actors as well, kind of handing over the reigns.  The other way is to introduce other new characters, but make sure they aren't a bratty kid, a wooden teen/twenty-something, and/or a character that could have been played by Goofy.  All of the original actors are too old now, to play anything but characters turning over the reigns to a new generation.  If they insist on new actors for anyone I vote for Nathan Fillion to play Han.

[Icky]

Merchandising is where the money's at. 
If Disney pulls another John Carter with it, we're all doomed!

But, it is hard to argue with the notion that nobody could screw up such a good thing quite as much as Lucas, himself.

So...  Cautiously optimistic would be the phrase I'd use.