George Lucas sells what was left of his soul to Disney

For $4.05 billion, George Lucas sold his soul. Well, not really his soul, but Lucasfilm, which he owned. After his retirement, Lucas retained control with superstar producer (second only to Spielberg in domestic box office grosses with E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List on her resume) Kathleen Kennedy stepping up as CEO. Kennedy will become president of the Lucasfilm division at Disney.

Lucas said, "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." Unfortunately, Disney plans to continue the franchise through more live action films, the first planned for 2015, and through Disney's empire of theme parks, TV, digital media, and more.

There are two views on the announcement of Star Wars VII slated for 2015. One, could it really be worse than Star Wars episodes I through III, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith? Probably not. Two, hasn't Princess Leia been a Disney princess all along? No mother and daddy issues? Yep, sounds about right.

Disney continues their quest to own Hollywood; in 2006 they purchased Pixar and in 2009, Marvel. With Lucasfilm, Disney will also gain control of Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound, and LucasArts, the special effects, sound, and video game arms of Lucasfilm.

For those of us still cringing over the buy, at least we have our VHS box sets of A New Hope, The Empires Strikes Back, and if we're really sad, Return of the Jedi.