MarketSaw Exclusive Confirmed: STAR WARS 7, 8 And 9 Tabled. 3D Announcement Coming... DISNEY HAS BOUGHT LUCASFILM!!

Just as we said all along. STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9 are definitely coming starting in 2015 and then every 2 or 3 years. Not only that - and mark my words - they will be 3D movies too. We also said that Lucas would NOT be directing them. Boy, did we get some flack for passing along that story to the masses (almost as much as when we broke the exclusive that Peter Jackson's legal issues with new Line have been settled, he will be directing not just 1, but 3 Hobbit movies and that they will be shot in native 3D), but in the end we were right on both stories.

MarketSaw also had the story that the existing STAR WARS library would be converted as well.

$4 billion dollars later and Disney owns Lucasfilm, complete with STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9 in development already. Nice job! Add in Pixar and Marvel with Disney's already burgeoning resources and wow, what a modern media company!

Hit the jump for more...




From THR: Kathleen Kennedy, current co-chair of Lucasfilm, will become Lucasfilm's president, reporting to Walt Disney Studios chair Alan Horn as part of the stock and cash transaction. Disney is paying approximately half the price in cash and will issue 40 million shares of stock on Tuesday, the company said in a statement. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with the franchise's creator and Lucasfilm founder George Lucas serving as creative consultant.

Says Lucas: "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."

Now I am truly excited for the future of the Star Wars universe. Imagine. I mean, Joss Whedon is under the Disney umbrella too! Throw him on STAR WARS 7, 8 and 9! Yeah!!!

That's all for now - I have to catch my breath! :-) 



Source: THR

Variety Reports: Leading 3D Organizations Merge

Tim here. Variety has reported that The International 3D Society and the 3D@Home Consortium have merged into one company. Here is the official press release:

In the world of 3D, maybe one is better than two.

The industry's two top 3D organizations - the International 3D Society (I3DS) and the 3D@Home Consortium - are merging into a single association, effective immediately.

The move also merges the two orgs' rosters, with the combined org -- monikered the International 3D Society and 3D@Home -- comprising members in 20 countries and chapters in North America, China, Japan, Korea, Europe and the U.K. Leadership at both orgs has ratified the merger.

"This newly formed organization will serve to spearhead the growth and expansion of the 3D entertainment industry across the entire ecosystem - from content conception and development, to consumer education and adoption," said Tom Cosgrove, co-chair of the combined org, who's also prexy and CEO of 3net, the 3D channel co-venture of Discovery, Sony and Imax.

Dan Schinasi, the org's other co-chair and senior TV planner at Samsung Electronics, believes 3D in-home consumption will be spurred by dropping prices in consumer electronics. "3D entertainment in the home has become an affordable proposition, with entry-level sets falling below $1,000," he said. Schinasi added that new platforms such as 3D Blu-ray discs and 3D streaming of sports and entertainment channels will contribute to the growth of the 3D medium.

"From supporting content creators to educating consumers, our two groups have distinguished themselves in providing neutral, non-branded information," said Jim Mainard, past chair at I3DS and head of digital strategy at DreamWorks Animation. "Their combined power and scope will maximize our ability to steadily grow 3D across countless media platforms in education."

I3DS topper Jim Chabin will lead the new org, whose membership includes more than 60 companies and 500 individuals. Studio and TV members include Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Pixar, ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, BSkyB and National Geographic Cinema Ventures.

Other corporate members include Panasonic, XpanD 3D, Dolby Laboratories, 3ality Technica, Masterimage 3D, RealD, IMAX, StereoD, CCTV China, Korea Telecomm, Intel, THX, Microsoft, Technicolor, Samsung, Sony Electronics, MobiTV, BluFocus, Eutelsat, Vizio, among others.

About the International 3D Society And 3D@Home Consortium
The International 3D Society & 3D@Home Consortium advances 3D content, products and adoption through recognition, networking, communication for professionals and consumers. With over 60 companies and 500 professional members, the organization honors the year’s best during its 3D Technology and 3D Creative Awards programs; hosts worldwide meetings, workshops and demonstrations; and manages many online resources to assist consumers and professionals to further understand and integrate 3D into their lives. Visit: www.International3DSociety.com, www.3DatHome.org, and 3DUniversity.net to explore the full range of 3D information available.