Yes, Disney purchased Lucasfilm, the production company behind the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, in 2012. The acquisition was officially announced on October 30, 2012.
The deal was valued at approximately $4.05 billion, with half of the amount paid in cash and the other half in Disney stock. The purchase included the rights to Star Wars, Indiana Jones, as well as the other projects and assets owned by Lucasfilm.
Key Points of the Acquisition:
- Star Wars: Disney gained full control of the Star Wars franchise, including the rights to the films, television shows, merchandise, and theme park attractions. This paved the way for the production of new Star Wars films and shows, including the sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker) and various spin-off series like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
- Indiana Jones: Disney also acquired the rights to Indiana Jones, although the future of the franchise was less immediately impacted by the acquisition, as Lucasfilm had already produced the fourth film (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) before the sale. Disney announced that a fifth Indiana Jones film was in development, which was released in 2023.
- George Lucas’s Role: The founder of Lucasfilm, George Lucas, sold the company and its assets but remained involved for a period, particularly as a consultant. However, he stepped back from active involvement in the franchise after the sale.
Since the acquisition, Disney has made substantial investments into the Star Wars universe, including the creation of new films, animated and live-action television series, theme park attractions (such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), and an expanded range of merchandise.