Star Wars now in the hands of the Disney--some quick thoughts

  So, no time really for serious reflection, but the news that Disney has purchased Lucasfilm, LTD., and that Episode 7 is on the way, is simply huge.  Not only does it mean that the future of the franchise is more or less secure, which is important given Lucas's age, but it also means that a director and creative team will get a shot at making the next Star Wars film.  I share the opinion of a lot of Star Wars fans in regard to the prequels in that I didn't much like them.  No one can disparage Lucas's creativity and passion, but it seemed that his film making instincts had degraded seriously in the years since he made American Graffiti, THX 1138, and the original Star Wars trilogy.  I have to imagine that directors will be willing to fight for the chance at tackling Episodes 7,8, and 9.  The list of dream director's is pretty long, but I'll throw out a few possibilities: Ridley Scott, Joss Whedon, Peter Jackson, or Guillermo del Toro.  Lucas even mentions in the press release that he is eager to see the franchise in the hands of a new generation of filmmakers.  Well, so am I. 

How good a steward will Disney be?  Well, I know that not everyone will agree, but I'm impressed with the overall quality of Disney projects, especially considering just how many films they pump out each year.  All of the so-called money grab sequels to the classic Disney films have actually been very well done.  Really, only the Pixar sequels have really seemed like cynical attempts to fill the coffers.  I have to think that Disney knows that the purchase is only worth it if they preserve the general goodwill audiences have toward Star Wars despite the last three movies.  Certainly, they have the experience to handle a franchise that makes as much money from toys and other merchandise as from the films themselves.  

We knew that the Star Wars franchise would at some point be in other hands than Lucas's.  I really can't think of a company more prepared or capable to handle the franchise than Disney.  I'm sure a lot of people will worry that Disney might gravitate toward the kind of pablum seen in the prequels (Jar Jar is actually a lot like a Disney supporting character), but I would be surprised if they didn't realize that fans want the next films to be more like the original trilogy and go where the fan's hearts (and money) reside.

Read the full press release here, and let us know what you think about the acquisition in the comments.