Disney buys Lucasfilm

[jcarwash]

I think we will see both Avatar land in AK and more Star Wars attractions or a land in Florida, probably DHS. I don't think one replaces the other.

 

[doconeill]

I agree that AK needs something and that SW shouldn't be it, really.

What I think is that Avatarland does happen, it isn't going to be nearly as big as was thought (calling it a whole "land" - they are now just talking two attractions and support, which makes it smaller the WWOHP). But that also makes it a waste of space. I've seen VERY LITTLE support for Avatarland, and most of the support is just because they are going to do something.

I say bring back Beastly Kingdomme for AK. Keep the "Soarin over Pandora" ride - it will fit well enough.

But now they have the chance to strike while the iron is hot. They own Star Wars now (well, Fox probably still has some input). They are coming out with three more movies in the next 6-10 years, to keep it hot. And it's already got the fan base. Build it now and not after it's cooled...

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

 

[lovethattink]

Star Wars Land?? How about a Lucasfilms/Pixar 5th Gate!! This would have the power to draw the crowds.

I also saw that Legoland Florida got in many of its Star Wars Land items.

...and who doesn't see this coming...

Adventures by Disney: Northern California - "Everywhere John Lasseter has worked" tour.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Welcome Dinner at the Hotel - Wine included**
Day 2 - Walt Disney Family Museum - Wine included**
Day 3 - Pixar tour - Wine included**
Day 4 - Lassiter Family Winery Tour - wine extra
Day 5 - Skywalker Ranch, ILM, Skywalker Sound Tour - wine included**
Day 6 - Depart - buy more wine

**Lassiter Family Wine supplied at stops and water breaks and please buy a case to take home. ;-)

Sure! Why not! And put Star Wars Land in Florida so that it's in MY back yard! What more could I want?!

 

[jcarwash]

They own Star Wars now (well, Fox probably still has some input).

20th Century Fox has no input. Lucas' Star Wars films were actually independent films and Fox was his distributor. Fox has no rights to any future films.

 

[doconeill]

20th Century Fox has no input. Lucas' Star Wars films were actually independent films and Fox was his distributor. Fox has no rights to any future films.

As long as there no longer exists a contract giving Fox distribution rights to future films, but as far as I can tell there isn't one.

 

[k5jm]

So any bets as to when Disney buys Amblin Entertainment?

 

[ADP]

Just blue-sky thinking. Disney has acquired or signed agreements with a number of film franchises, movie studios, etc. They could easily build a 5th theme park similar to Islands of Adventure with lands dedicated to each franchise.

Lands to include:
Avatarland
Star Wars Land
Marvel Land (not including IOA characters)
Pixar Land
A Disney related land

It seems like Disney is adopting a different strategy though by placing attractions based on these franchises in the various parks where it makes sense. I know a 5th theme park isn't in the works anytime soon, but thought it would be cool to do something like this.

 

[DCTooTall]

Assuming they stick with the storyline from the canon books, they pretty much have a rough outline. I wouldn't be surprised if there was already a script in a drawer somewhere as well.

Knowing where computing power is these days I don't think the CG work takes 2 years. Didn't all of Avatar take 2 years and that was completely CG.

I also wouldn't be surprised if ILM still stored a lot of the design work and other CG components used in the prequel trilogy and original trilogy special edition and bluray releases which would theoretically cut down a LOT of the time needed in putting together the effects for the next trilogy that would in theory be in the universe post-emperor death.

when you don't have to create the CG Models from scratch... for everything from the ships, to the Corsucant cityscape, to even some of the aliens inhabiting the universe... You can shave a TON of time and $$$ off the film's effects. (For starters, the Animators can go straight to work instead of needing the designers, artists, and programmers to finish creating the animation models first)

The deal includes 40 million shares of Disney to go to Lucas to help pay for the deal. This will get him a seat on the Board of Directors if he wants it. I agree, Avitar land is likely DEAD. THis is a much more viable property.

As others said... I highly doubt the Pandora expansion in the AK is dead. There would still need to be a lot of prep work done for a Star Wars land, even to try and create a viable overlay on top of the work already done for the Avatar project. You also run into the fact that Star Wars would not fit nearly as well into AK thematically. (And we all know AK NEEDS at the very least a major E-ticket added so that they can afford to take Everest down for a prolonged time to fix the Yeti.... As well as potentially giving the park more of a reason to stay open later in the evening)

Personally, I'm thinking we may end up getting both the Pandora expansion at AK, and then a Star Wars Expansion at MGM. I'm starting to wonder though if the moves, site surveys, and prep work rumors we've been seeing and hearing about lately involving MGM's backlot area could could have been triggered by the knowledge of this deal coming and them looking at a Star Wars based expansion at MGM. It would make sense considering the common belief that it was for potentially bringing Carsland to Florida conflicts with what Disney has publicly gone on record saying (Carsland Not coming to Florida... and that Carsland is in part designed to help make the Disneyland a Destination resort instead of just a 'local's park'), as well as the similarity between Test Track and Radiator Springs Racers making it unlikely to have both in the same resort.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Disney Parks posted this video on You Tube today...Funny, I don't see any blue monkey people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbH1SEsqiE&feature=player_embedded

 

[doconeill]

Disney Parks posted this video on You Tube today...Funny, I don't see any blue monkey people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbH1SEsqiE&feature=player_embedded

Was this video released previously? I want to say I've seen it before...

 

[jcb]

Was this video released previously? I want to say I've seen it before...

most of it was used to promote Star Tours reopening. http://youtu.be/t4_dZPVg8KI

 

[WaltD4Me]

Was this video released previously? I want to say I've seen it before...

I never saw it put together like that and because of the beginning, I thought it was new.

There is some really great fan stuff coming out since the announcement. I liked these.....

 

[rotlex]

You know, after thinking on this for a while, I've come to the conclusion I now need to buy DVC, LOL. Really. There is now officially no where else I want to vacation ever! Disney + Star Wars=this uber geeks absolute perfect world!

 

[DCTooTall]

Disney Parks posted this video on You Tube today...Funny, I don't see any blue monkey people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbH1SEsqiE&feature=player_embedded

 

[WaltD4Me]

Here is a video of George Lucas talking about Disney buying Lucasfilms. He is with Kathleen Kennedy...is she from Disneyland? Did the work on Carsland?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YyqlTi7lkhY#!

 

[jcb]

Here is a video of George Lucas talking about Disney buying Lucasfilms. He is with Kathleen Kennedy...is she from Disneyland? Did the work on Carsland?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YyqlTi7lkhY#!

She has been working with Lucas and Spielberg for a while. In July 2012, she became co-chair of LucasFilm.

 

[WaltD4Me]

She has been working with Lucas and Spielberg for a while. In July 2012, she became co-chair of LucasFilm.

I read somewhere mixed up in all the "Disney buys Stars Wars!" stuff that she is being talked about for CEO after Iger leaves. At least I'm pretty sure it was her. The comment was that buying Lucasfilms would solidify things with her and Disney.

 

[Joshua_me]

(To the tune of some song I heard somewhere...)


"It's a world of Wookies
And of 'Darthkateers',
All while Yoda helps Luke
Confront his fears.

Obi-wan was struck down,
The princess' hair
Goes round and round,
Dis buys Star Wars after all...

Dis buys Star Wars after all,
Gosh those Ewoks seem awfully small,
Han shot first while against the wall,
Dis buys Star Wars after all

C-3PO and R-2 will shine in the end,
Never Mind those rumors,
They are just friends

Plans for Avatarland
Have blown up like Alderaan,
Dis bought Star Wars after all...

Dis bought Star Wars after all,
Bea at the Cantina says it's 'last call'
Looks like The Force will be with us all

Disney bought Star Wars after all..."

 

[DCTooTall]

I read somewhere mixed up in all the "Disney buys Stars Wars!" stuff that she is being talked about for CEO after Iger leaves. At least I'm pretty sure it was her. The comment was that buying Lucasfilms would solidify things with her and Disney.

Might you be thinking of Kathy Mangum? She was the Imagineer in charge of Carsland that was recently transfered/promoted to oversee all the WDW resort projects. (Which in turn prompted the Carsland Florida rumors)