Disney CEO and filmmaker signing the Lucasfilm acquisition deal in 2012

On This Day 13 Years Ago: Disney Bought Lucasfilm and Announced the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

Soeren Kamper Disney, georg Lucas

Thirteen years ago today, on October 30, 2012, the entertainment galaxy shifted forever. Disney officially announced its acquisition of Lucasfilm for a staggering $4.05 billion — and with it, the promise of a new Star Wars sequel trilogy. It was one of those rare cultural moments where business news and fandom collided, leaving fans equal parts thrilled, cautious, and curious about what the future of the galaxy far, far away would look like.

A $4 Billion Deal That Changed the Galaxy

When Disney announced the purchase of Lucasfilm from George Lucas, it wasn’t just buying a film studio — it was acquiring one of the most influential franchises in cinematic history. Lucas had built Star Wars into a global empire spanning movies, TV, games, comics, and merchandise, and Disney saw it as the perfect addition to its growing portfolio alongside Pixar and Marvel.

The deal included Lucasfilm Ltd., Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound, and all Star Wars intellectual property, effectively giving Disney full control of the Force. George Lucas stepped away from day-to-day creative duties, handing the lightsaber to Disney’s then-chairman, Kathleen Kennedy, who became the new president of Lucasfilm.

Disney CEO Bob Iger called the purchase “a significant opportunity to continue the legacy of Star Wars,” and he meant it. Within minutes of the announcement, fans learned that a new trilogy — beginning with Star Wars: Episode VII — was already in development.

The Sequel Trilogy Is Born

The official press release stunned fans: Star Wars: Episode VII was set for release in 2015, launching a brand-new saga featuring both returning heroes and fresh faces.

That film would later become Star Wars: The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams, marking the franchise’s triumphant return to the big screen after a decade-long hiatus. It was followed by The Last Jedi in 2017 and The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, completing what became known as the sequel trilogy.

The trilogy’s reception remains one of the most debated topics in modern pop culture — The Force Awakens reignited nostalgia and box office dominance, The Last Jedi split audiences, and The Rise of Skywalker wrapped up the saga with spectacle and controversy in equal measure. But whether you loved or loathed it, the trilogy proved one thing: Star Wars was truly back in the mainstream.

The Disney Era Begins

The 2012 acquisition didn’t just bring new movies — it opened the door to a new era of storytelling. Disney’s stewardship of the galaxy gave us:

  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
  • Disney+ series like The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka
  • The return of animated favorites like The Clone Wars (Season 7) and new shows such as Star Wars: The Bad Batch

The deal also led to massive expansions in other media — Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park lands, novels from the High Republic era, and a renewed gaming presence through titles like Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars: Outlaws.

George Lucas’ Legacy and Disney’s Future

At the time of the sale, George Lucas said:

“It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.”

And that’s exactly what happened. Under Disney, Star Wars evolved from a nostalgic cinematic saga into a massive transmedia universe. Some fans miss the mythic simplicity of the original six films, while others have embraced the new era’s diversity and depth. But few can deny the global reach and creative energy Disney brought to the brand.

Thirteen years later, Disney’s investment has more than paid off — the sequel trilogy alone earned over $4.4 billion at the box office, surpassing the original purchase price of Lucasfilm.

The Day That Changed Star Wars Forever

Looking back, October 30, 2012, wasn’t just a day of corporate news. It was a turning point in pop culture — the moment Star Wars became not just George Lucas’ galaxy, but everyone’s.

Whether you were excited for the new trilogy, skeptical about the “Disneyfication” of the saga, or just curious about what would come next, that day marked the dawn of a new Force era.

And as new projects continue to expand the galaxy — from The Mandalorian & Grogu movie to The Acolyte — the echoes of that 2012 announcement are still felt across every corner of the Star Wars fandom.