Disney Buys LucasFilm, “Star Wars: Episode 7” due in 2015 (UPDATED)

Disney is in talks to pay $4.05 BILLION in cash and stocks for Lucasfilm. Earlier today, George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm, issued a statement:

[quote]“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next…It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”[/quote]

Apparently it’s about to get terrifyingly real. Not only has Disney allegedly has purchased LucasFilm, they’ve announced Star Wars: Episode VII will be released in 2015. After the last several additions, it’s only a matter of time before Star Wars purists relive the terror that was Episodes I – III.

This acquisition brings Lucasfilm under the same banner as Pixar, Marvel, ESPN and ABC.

[box_dark]UPDATE: Disney’s Robert Iger revealed that not only is Star Wars Episode VII is to be followed by Star Wars Episodes VIII and IX, and that the studio plans on releasing a new Star Wars movie “every two to three years.[/box_dark]

What do you think, Bombers? Is this potentially a good thing for the Star Wars film series, or another nail in the coffin? Sound off below!