Disney completes Lucasfilm purchase

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HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- The Walt Disney Co.'s purchase of Lucasfilm was officially completed with a cash payment of $2.21 billion and about 37.1 million Disney shares, officials said.

Disney shares had a closing price of $50 Friday when the transaction was completed, making the purchase price of the Star Wars franchise $4.06 billion, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Disney paid $4 billion for Marvel Entertainment in 2009 and $7.4 billion for Pixar in 2006.

Included in the purchase is operating businesses in live action film production, a portfolio of entertainment technologies, as well as the brands of LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, the entertainment industry publication said.

"We're thrilled to welcome Lucasfilm to the Disney family," said CEO Bob Iger.

"Star Wars is one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time and this transaction combines that world-class content with Disney's unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses and markets, which we believe will generate growth as well as significant long-term value."

Disney announced the acquisition of Lucasfilm in late October, and simultaneously said it would commission a new Star Wars film to be released in 2015.