As "Star Wars" fans work themselves into a lather about J.J. Abrams and standalone movies, "Star Wars" creator George Lucas is getting paid. According to TheWrap, Disney has awarded Lucas 37 million shares of its company stock as part of the October 2012 deal the company made to acquire Lucas's famed Lucasfilm production house and the "Star Wars" properties. All told, the 37 million shares could be worth over $2 billion for Lucas.
That Lucas received the stock shares is anything but a surprise. In the press release announcing Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, it was stipulated that half of the $4.05 billion purchase price would come from stock shares:
Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing. The final consideration will be subject to customary post-closing balance sheet adjustments.
Lucas has previously stated a desire to donate the money to fund education.
“For 41 years, the majority of my time and money has been put into the company,” Lucas said last year. “As I start a new chapter in my life, it is gratifying that I have the opportunity to devote more time and resources to philanthropy.”
With Lucas in philanthropy mode, the "Star Wars" films have been left to producer Kathleen Kennedy and, now, Abrams. The "Star Trek" director was hired to make "Episode VII," with "Empire Strikes Back" screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan onboard to consult in other "Star Wars" projects. As EW.com reported on Wednesday, those extra "Star Wars" films could include a Han Solo movie.
For more on Lucas's payday, head over to TheWrap. Check out some possible young Han Solo's in the gallery below.
[via TheWrap]
