Banter: Leia, Disney Princess?

So yeah, Disney just bought Lucasfilm.

Wait what?

I feel like I should write a little something about my initial opinion on this revelation of cinema; and considering Star Wars and its impact upon the media (and scores of other material such as video games and comics) the term "revelation" isn't unfitting. Not to mention Lucasfilm in general!

So, the bad aspects to this turn of events, since everyone's a cynic these days (oh yes they are).
If there's one thing Disney is good at, its making money from things and producing endless sequels to anything they have their mitts on. Just look at the Disney classics that have straight-to-DVD sequels! Add this to Star Wars' history of merchandise, it practically invented movie-based toys! So yeah, that could be a lethal combination that may make episodes seven, eight and nine look like the Clone Wars movie............ shudder.

There's plenty of sarcasm too, boasting that Disney will chuck in musicals and dancing tea pots and what have you... but generally, these are reasons why this probably won't happen:

The good aspects is that, number one, George Lucas isn't in full creative control! He openly made this statement: 

"It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me." 

Wow, that almost doesn't sound like him does it?

The other motivation for me is that Disney aren't just about Mickey Mouse any more... mostly because they are consuming so many diverse elements now. They took Marvel, and look how Avengers Assemble turned out? Pretty darn good! This and how they have a knack for making things look good and feel dark, keeping some adult orientation. Tron Legacy, Pirates of the Caribbean? Prince of Persia? Okay, that last film had some things wrong with it. My point is, these films have merit and are great family films that are not overly offensive (unlike Episodes 1 and 2).

Try taking those film's budgets, appearances, production value, casting and crew selection and apply that to the Star Wars universe. Eh, not looking that bad any more is it?

The only problem I have personally, is that making episodes seven, eight and nine seems a little out-dated. I remember imagining those films being made (I had never considered prequels to be made first, if at all!) and how cool it would be to have an older Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford back (this was before I realised most of the original cast wanted nothing to do with Lucas afterwards!) but now, in 2015? Surely they are getting too old for it?

What does that mean? Recasting Han Solo and Luke Skywalker? That to me is almost worse than the entire concept of sequels! These characters are so ingrained into cinema that recasting them would be virtually blasphemous! 
My only idea would be that Disney would pay Ford and others ludicrous amounts of money to come back for cameos or supportive roles and have some new blood thrown in. See Jeff Bridges' great return in Tron Legacy.

Now I've not read the Star Wars novels that continue from the original trilogy, I know there are many and they have some excellent stories to tell. Will Disney follow these? Or the comics that followed the original trilogy? Most, if not all, follow the original cast...

2015 is the slated release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, they took no time in deciding that! I am very, very reserved, but considering how low the series has sunk, maybe it is time for a revival?

Amazing to think that Lucasfilm and all of its assets is worth $4 billion though, isn't it. Incredible.