Is Disney the Empire? ‘Star Wars’ will continue in 2015 with ‘Episode 7’
Oct 30, 2012, 5:34 PM | Updated: Oct 31, 2012, 10:24 am

In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, "Darth Vader" accepts the Ultimate Villain award from "Star Wars" creator George Lucas during the 2011 Scream Awards, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
This Halloween you’ll see some costumes from yesteryear, but they never get old. I’m talking about Storm Troopers, Han Solos, and Princess Leia’s gold bikini.
The first episode in the “Star Wars” trilogy, “A New Hope” took hold of the nation in 1977, with the prequels getting a birth in 1999. Comicon nerds, little boys at heart, and sci-fi junkies have lived with the existing six films and a few ever since.
A decade after George Lucas said “Star Wars” was finished on the big screen, a new trilogy is destined for theaters as The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that it was buying Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion.
The seventh movie, with a working title of “Episode 7,” is set for release in 2015. Episodes 8 and 9 will follow. The new trilogy will carry the story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia beyond “Return of the Jedi,” the third film released and the sixth in the saga. After that, Disney plans a new “Star Wars” movie every two or three years. Lucas will serve as creative consultant in the new movies.
With little surprise, the topic exploded on Facebook, Twitter and in the comments section of every news article or blog post announcing the billion-dollar deal.
Some took to Twitter to create Disney-Star Wars “mash-ups.” Others put their Photoshop skills to the test creating memes that often .
Others took to Twitter, wasting no time sending out their recommendations for Disney.
Star Wars 7 is when they all realize that they are just Andy’s toys.
— Cheeky Monkey (@Davesub10S)
Step ONE: Acquire LEGAL RIGHTS to STAR WARS. Step TWO: Convert EPCOT into a DEATH STAR.
— Dalek Thay (@DalekThay)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.