Disney has announced that there will be a new Star Wars episode in 2015. This announcement comes as part of the entertainment company’s plans to acquire LucasFilm and the rights to the Star Wars franchise in a whopping $4.05 billion deal. 
Star Wars Episodes 7-9 had long been rumored, but the hope for these films sizzled out ages ago. Disney has said they have plans not only to release Episode VII in 2015, but also VIII and IX a few years after. Star Wars creator George Lucas will serve as a consultant, but is looking at this as his retirement. Disney will be primarily in charge of these new chapters and continued expansion of the Star Wars universe.
News of a new Star Wars film has been met with a mixed reaction by the web, but after Disney’s success with its Pixar forays and its continued pride in its Marvel productions such as the Avengers, there’s a lot to be cautiously optimistic about. Disney has also long had ties to the Star Wars franchise through its amusement parks with Star Wars weekends, Star Tours and various merchandise.
Read the full press release about the announcement here.
