Disney is paying $4.05 billion to buy Lucasfilm Ltd

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disney is paying $4.05 billion to buy Lucasfilm Ltd., the production company behind “Star Wars,” from its chairman and founder, George Lucas. It’s also making a seventh movie in the “Star Wars” series called “Episode 7,” set for release in 2015, with plans to follow it with Episodes 8 and 9 and then one new movie every two or three years.

The Walt Disney Co. announced the blockbuster agreement to make the purchase in cash and stock Tuesday. The deal includes Lucasfilm’s prized high-tech production companies, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, as well as rights to the “Indiana Jones” franchise.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement that the acquisition is a great fit and will help preserve and grow the “Star Wars” franchise.

“The last ‘Star Wars’ movie release was 2005’s ‘Revenge of the Sith’ — and we believe there’s substantial pent-up demand,” Iger said.

Kathleen Kennedy, the current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become the division’s president and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucas will be creative consultant on new “Star Wars” films.

Lucas said in a statement, “It’s now time for me to pass ‘Star Wars’ on to a new generation of filmmakers.”

October 30, 2012
Categories: Inside Hollywood, News you can Use . . Author: MyMotorways . Comments: Leave a comment

Changes at Dreamwork Animation…

DreamWorks Animation Board of Directors Chairman Roger Enrico Resigns

 

GLENDALE, Calif., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that Roger Enrico has resigned as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Company, effective immediately. DreamWorks Animation’s Board of Directors has named fellow Board member Mellody Hobson as the Company’s Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Enrico has served as Chairman of DreamWorks Animation since its inception as a public company in 2004. Mr. Enrico formerly served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, Inc., where he spent 31 years.

“Roger has been an invaluable leader to our Board of Directors and his guidance helped put DreamWorks Animation on a path to success from day one,” commented Jeffrey Katzenberg. “On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire management team, I’d like to deeply thank Roger for his unfailing service over the past eight years and wish him the very best in the future.”

October 25, 2012
Categories: Inside Hollywood . Tags: , . Author: MyMotorways . Comments: Leave a comment

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition can capture 4K Video

SAN FRANCISCO–GoPro pulled the wraps off of a new generation of its line of Hero sports camera packages built around the smallest, most powerful camera that it has ever offered: the GoPro Hero3.

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is the flagship model that will retail for $399.99. This new model features a chassis that is 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the outgoing Hero2 model and is only 20mm thick when removed from its plastic shell. The plastic shell itself is also smaller (obviously) and features a new flat lens. The case also features a double lock that ensures that the rear plastic door isn’t going anywhere once it’s sealed, unless you want it to — even then, it’s sort of tricky to deal with.

The Hero3 is able to capture up to 4K video at up to 15 frames per second, a new 2.7K video resolution at up to 30fps, and an oddball 4:3 aspect ratio 1440p video at up to 48fps. Of course the standard HD resolutions also make return appearances. The Hero3 Black Edition fleshes out its list of formats with 1080p full HD at 60fps, 960p tall HD at 100fps, 720p HD at up to 120fps, and WVGA 480p at up to 240fps. You may think that 4K video is overkill, particularly at the low 15fps frame rate, but being able to capture more-conventional HD video resolutions at ridiculously high frame rates can make for some sweet slow-motion video.

October 24, 2012
Categories: Technologies . Tags: , . Author: MyMotorways . Comments: Leave a comment

Beyoncé Will Perform During Super Bowl Halftime Show

Beyoncé will perform during halftime at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 3rd. While an official announcement is expected Wednesday, Beyonce posted the below image to her Tumblr mimicing eye-black, which football players use to stop the glare from the sun.

It will be the second Super Bowl appearance for the superstar: Beyoncé sang the national anthem in 2004 when the NFL held its championship game in her hometown of Houston. This year’s Super Bowl will be the first held in New Orleans since 2002, and will certainly be one of the most watched television events of the year.

October 23, 2012
Categories: Events . . Author: MyMotorways . Comments: Leave a comment

Warner Bros. Plans Justice League Movie For 2015

Summer 2015 looks like it may see the world’s two most popular superhero teams go head-to-head. Warner Bros. is targeting their big screen ensemble, Justice League, for the same summer as Marvel’s The Avengers 2.

There’s still no director attached, but Justice League has a screenplay from Will Beall. Plot details are few, but the lineup of heroes is said to include (at least) Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash.

The same article notes that the studio wanted The Dark Knight Rises’ Christopher Nolan to produce the team-up, but that he declined. Nolan is serving as producer on the upcoming Man of Steel, however. While there’s no official confirmation as of yet, it is widely believed that the intent is to carry Henry Cavill’s Superman character over to the Justice League feature.

October 22, 2012
Categories: Inside Hollywood . Tags: , . Author: MyMotorways . Comments: Leave a comment

Here comes Windows8 Tablets!

Microsoft – Microsoft is now claiming the new Surface is on a three week backlog prior to there “official” release on 10/26.

They are being positioned as a high-powered alternative to the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The Surface is available at three price points: $699 for a 64 GB model with a “Touch Cover” (a case plus keyboard, basically); $599 for a 32 GB model with a Touch Cover; and $499 for a 32 GB model without a Touch Cover.

Sony –

The new Windows 8 VAIO can lay flat on a desk or table like a huge tablet, you can flip ou...Sony has priced and detailed the VAIO Tap 20 mobile Tabletop PC and VAIO Duo 11 sliding hybrid Ultrabook seen at IFA 2012 in readiness for the release of Microsoft’s new OS, Windows 8. Both devices lead the charge for a new VAIO Touchworld collection that includes new touchscreen models in the E Series laptop and T Series Ultrabook families-

 

October 18, 2012
Categories: Technologies . . Author: MyMotorways . Comments: Leave a comment