May the Force Be With You, Mickey: Disney Buys Lucasfilm

Tuesday morning, I woke up refreshed. Sandy may have rocked my windows the night before, but my spirits were high, and I got to my morning class on time. This should have been my first sign.

That very same day, Disney announced their purchase of Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion. My reaction was similar to the ending of Star Wars Episode III–Revenge of the Sith: a long, dramatic, drawn out, “Noooooooo!”

Lucasfilm, owned by movie powerhouse George Lucas, is responsible for the Indiana Jones series, American Graffiti, and my personal favorite, the Star Wars series, for those of you unlucky enough to spend your time not watching these movies.

As a self-proclaimed movie buff, I’m no stranger to the Lucas world. I’ve spent more of my money on DVD box sets and t-shirts with “I heart bad boys” and a picture of Han Solo as the heart than I have on textbooks. These movies are dear to my heart, and I can’t have them tainted further.

I’m not upset that Lucas has sold the rights. I’m upset about whom he’s sold them to.

I’m the first one to point out the design flaws in these movies…well, not all of them, but any made after 1989 when Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade premiered (Sean Connery ROCKED that movie). The constant releases of “digitally remastered” Star Wars episodes is enough to drive me up a wall (Hahn shot first and there is nothing George Lucas can do to change that). The awful prequels and sequels and Lego versions have beaten all the fun out of the original films. Lucas got too…creative with his choices. However, through it all, I always felt like Lucas had the fans’ best interests at heart. But Disney does too…right?

The only other company better at squeezing a franchise for all it’s worth is Disney. Lest we forget the never-ending Pirates of the Caribbean series that’s become a shadow of its masterful first film. (Come on, Johnny. You’re better than On Stranger Tides.) Not to mention their failure to create a successful franchise with John Carter. Yes, Disney recently had a change of management, but this does not negate years’ worth of franchise abuse.

Disney also announced their intention to make another Star Wars movie by 2015, Episode VII as it were, and a new movie every two or three years after that. I can’t. I give up. What neither Lucas nor Disney seems to understand is to just let it be! These movies are great. You can’t find a list of the greatest movies of all time without seeing The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark on it. We don’t need animated Lego people (they’re extremely creepy) and Shia Labeouf recreating scenes and scenarios embedded in pop culture. They’ve been done once before…and they were perfect.

Robert Iger, Chairman and CEO of Disney, said Tuesday, “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value.” What Iger fails to see is Star Wars created the model of the very monster he says he’ll create. Where’ve you been? The video games, clothing and costumes, lunch boxes, and the Star Wars ride at Disney World in Orlando, any of it ringing a bell, Mr. Iger? If that’s not enough, what’s Disney going to add?

Now, I realize this is all coming from a person who will pay exorbitant amounts of money to see this next Star Wars film in 3D with sand thrown in my face to make me feel like I’m on Tatooine, but I’m still concerned for the future. I don’t want the image of Star Wars to become tainted by people using it for profit only. I want future generations to watch the original movies and find joy, like I did, not see something that has become culturally irrelevant and annoying.

I think I’ll just take off in the Millennium Falcon while screaming “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi! You’re my only hope!” out its windows to keep my Star Wars alive. (The Millennium Falcon is the name of my car and I’m not ashamed to admit it.)