May the matrimonial force be with them: Star Wars creator and über-philanthropist George Lucas is engaged to his longtime love Mellody Hobson.

The engagement was confirmed by Lucas’ rep to The Hollywood Reporter. No wedding date has been announced.

George Lucas Will Donate Billions From Lucasfilm-Disney Sale

Hobson is the president of Chicago-based Ariel Investments, one of the largest African-American owned money management firms in the United States. She is also the chairperson of the related company Ariel Mutual Funds, as well as the chair for Dreamworks Animation. She is an occasional contributor on financial issues to Good Morning America.

Lucas and Hobson have dated since 2006. This will be her first marriage and his second; from 1969 to 1983 Lucas was married to Marcia Lou Griffin, a film editor who would win an Academy Award for her work on Star Wars: A New Hope. Lucas and Griffin adopted a daughter, Amanda (31), during their marriage. He has since adopted two other children, Katie (24) and Jett (19).

Disney Purchases Lucasfilm For $4 BILLION, Promises New Star Wars Film In 2015

The movie mogul, who lives in Marin County, California, completed the $4.05 billion sale of his company, Lucasfilm, to Disney just last month.

Photo: WENN.com

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George Lucas was already a very wealthy man before he sold Lucasfilm to Disney, and the $4.05 billion deal stands to make him absolutely  insanely rich.   However, he’s not planning to keep all that cash for himself.  The Star Wars creator has announced his plans to donate most of the proceeds from the sale to charity.

Lucas said in a statement:

“For 41 years, the majority of my time and money has been put into the company.  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.”

He’s indicated that he will focus his donations on education-related causes, a move that is consistent with his past philanthropic activities.  Lucas is the founder of Edutopia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the K-12 learning process by empowering students to think critically, access and analyze information, creatively problem solve, work collaboratively, and communicate with clarity and impact.  He’s not yet specified whether the Disney deal funds will go to Edutopia, or whether he’ll create an entirely new education foundation to receive the donation.

What do you think of George Lucas’ decision to make such a large charitable contribution?

Photo:  WENN.com

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Has George Lucas gone over to the dark side?

In a joint statement, the Star Wars creator and Disney CEO Bob Iger announced today that the entertainment behemoth has acquired Lucasfilm in a cash and stock deal valued at $4.05 billion.

Fans can also expect a new Star Wars movie in 2015, with subsequent films every two to three years following.

Lucasfilm co-chair Kathleen Kennedy will become the new president of the company, reporting to Walt Disney Studios chair Alan Horn.  Kennedy will be the executive producer on new films in the franchise, which Lucas serve as creative consultant.  He explained his decision to sell his company:

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next.  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, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment and consumer products.”

Are there even any trails left for Star Wars to blaze in these areas, especially that of consumer products?  One thing’s for sure:  if Disney can’t do it, no one can.

Fans – what do you think of this acquisition?  Are you excited about new Star Wars films, or worried that the franchise will just become Disneyfied?  Sound off in the comments, and may the force be with this new partnership.

Photo:  10News.com

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 Are you excited for the Oscars?  The 84th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 26.   Leading the pack of nominations  is Martin Scorsese‘s 3D animated film Hugo, with 11 nominations.  Baseball film Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, also did well, with six nominations, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively.

Did your favorite film or star make the list?  Check out the nominees and tell us what you think.

Actor In A Leading Role

Demián Bichir in A Better Life
George Clooney in The Descendants
Jean Dujardin in The Artist
Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt in Moneyball

(Read the article)

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Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating today, May 14th, including:

1944 – George Lucas, director
1952 – David Byrne, musician
1953 – Robert Zemeckis, director
1961 – Tim Roth, actor
1962 – Ian Astbury, singer
1962 – C. C. Deville, guitarist
1965 – Eoin Colfer, author
1969 – Cate Blanchett, actress
1971 – Sofia Coppola, director
1983 – Amber Tamblyn, actress
1984 – Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder
1993 – Miranda Cosgrove, actress

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Director Irvin Kershner has died at the age of 87 at his home in Los Angeles after a long illness.  He was an American moviemaker, best known for directing Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

The photo above Director Irvin Kershner, Producer George Lucas, Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan on set of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980.

R.I.P. Irvin Kershner April 29, 1923 – November 29, 2010

[images by WENN.com]

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Here’s some big (almost) news for Star Wars fans, there is a rumor from a reliable source that says George Lucas is planning a new sequel trilogy to the first six Star Wars films!

Confirmed IESB scoops specific to the Star Wars universe include the first announcement of the PG-13 rating of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the first word of a live action Star Wars TV series as well as the Clone Wars animated series. Yes, all of these Lucasfilm scoops were all first reported here on IESB.

Now on to our newest big Lucasfilm scoop, ready? George Lucas is plotting to create new Star Wars moviesat the ultra top-secret Skywalker Ranch.

This is déjà vu of the mid 90′s when Uncle George starting tweaking the Holy Trilogy to gear up for the Special Editions. That was his first step in moving forward with the eventual prequel trilogy.

It’s happening all over again, Lucasfilm is already hard at work converting the entire Star Wars saga into 3D which will be released starting with Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 2012. The word from our ultra top-secret Lucasfilm insider is that Lucas has gotten the itch and is already looking ahead into launching an entirely new trilogy in that galaxy far, far away.

IESB has the track record of having the real scoop, so this seems pretty likely. I’m not opposed to three more Star Wars movies, although the most recent three left so much to be desired. In any case there is huge potential to make billions in this new 3D driven hollywood. Even if these movies happen, don’t expect to see the first in theaters for at least five years.

Source: IESB

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Rumors are spreading that Sean Connery may come out of retirement to play Indie’s dad once again in the upcoming unnamed sequel Indiana Jones 5.

The 79-year-old actor turned down the chance to reprise his role as the father of the daredevil archaeologist in last movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’, and the script hinted his character Professor Henry Jones had passed away.

However, creators on the next movie, the fifth in the hugely successful franchise, are planning to bring Henry back.

A source said: “Steven Spielberg has been working on a script with George Lucas and there is an element of the story that could see Sean returning. Anything is possible in these movies and if Sean wants to return he will become central to the new story.”

Earlier this week, Harrison Ford – who plays the title character – revealed he is ready to reprise the role.

He said: “The story for the new ‘Indiana Jones’ is in the process of taking form. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work.

“If the script is good, I’ll be very happy to put the costume on again.”

I personally believe these are vacuous, ridiculous rumors. Not to say I wouldn’t love for it to be true, but Connery has publicly announced he is done acting.

Source: Ireland Online

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Harrison Ford is all about taking on the next Indiana Jones film as he told People Magazine:

Harrison Ford told France’s Le Figaro (via People) that “the story for the new Indiana Jones is in the process of taking form. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work. If the script is good, I’ll be very happy to put the costume on again.”

I really hope the next one doesn’t have any aliens, and maybe they can tone down the cheesy factor.

Source: Coming Soon

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George Lucas hasn’t stopped working on movies, he’s exec producing a new film called Red Tails. Actor Tristan Wilds has been cast in the war film. 

Tristan Wilds (The CW’s “90210″) has been cast in the World War II drama Red Tails, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The film, written by John Ridley and directed by Anthony Hemingway, details the true story of the 332nd Fighter Group, an elite all-black unit of escort pilots known as the Red Tails.

Wilds will play Ray “Ray Gun” Knight, a flyboy nearly blinded over Nazi-occupied Italy who becomes the wingman of his friend and cohort, Marty. The two face the prejudice of the U.S. military as much as the overseas enemy but end up establishing an unprecedented record.

It would have sounded better if they hadn’t cast an actor from a bad show. 

Source: Coming Soon

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