The Ownership and Canon of Star Wars: How Disney Transformed the Franchise

When The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.05 billion, it marked a significant milestone in the history of Star Wars. This acquisition not only brought Disney the rights to the Star Wars film studio but also the intellectual properties like Indiana Jones and The Land Before Time. However, the real impact was on the Star Wars franchise itself.

Acquisition Details and Rights Transfer

The acquisition was not about buying the Star Wars films themselves; rather, it was the purchase of the rights to the film studio that created them. Lucasfilm, with its rich catalog of projects, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney. As a result, Disney now owns all of George Lucas's films and projects that were created under the Lucasfilm label, including American Graffiti, Indiana Jones, and The Land Before Time.

The Force Awakens and Beyond: Disney's Star Wars Empire

The acquisition in 2012 paved the way for Disney to continue the Star Wars saga. Following the acquisition, films like The Force Awakens, Rogue One, Solo, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and TV shows like The Mandalorian were all produced under Disney. This vast array of content has made Star Wars one of the most prominent franchises owned by Disney.

The Canon: A New Defined Universe

The term "canon" in the Star Wars context gained a new significance with Disney's takeover. Initially, the canon referred to the films themselves, as defined by George Lucas. However, with the acquisition, the definition of canon expanded to include not just the films but also other forms of media such as novels, video games, and TV series. This move was formalized in a 2014 announcement on the Star Wars website.

The Expanded Universe and Its Evolution

When Lucasfilm was under George Lucas's management, the Expanded Universe (EU) novels and other media were not considered part of the official canon. These works were more like "what if" stories, exploring different scenarios that did not align with Lucas's vision for the Star Wars universe. However, with Disney's direction, the EU was rebranded as "Legends." This new category still counts as part of the Star Wars universe but is not considered part of the canonical storytelling moving forward.

Under the direction of Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, a new Story Group was formed to oversee and coordinate all aspects of Star Wars creative development. This expanded canon now encompasses:

Star Wars live-action films The 2008 The Clone Wars film and TV series All official Star Wars films, TV series, novels, video games, and other media published as of April 2014

Conclusion

The acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney transformed the Star Wars universe into a cohesive, interconnected narrative. The expansion of the canon to include various forms of media has allowed the franchise to grow exponentially, providing fans with a richer, more immersive experience. As Disney continues to expand the Star Wars universe through new films, TV shows, and gaming titles, the legacy of George Lucas and the cultural impact of Star Wars are sure to endure.

The ownership and definition of Star Wars canon have shifted significantly with Disney's acquisition, offering a new era of interwoven storytelling.