Star Wars Episode VII To Be In $200 Million Budget Range

Walt Disney Studios' Chairman Alan Horn spoke to Bloomberg Television a bit about the financing of the new Star Wars films. Horn was asked if they were spending the same kind of money on the Star Wars franchise as they were on their Marvel films. "We actually don't even have the completed budget yet," replied Horn. "But it will be in that range. These large, tentpole kinds of movies, on the expensive side, are in the neighborhood of $175-200 million, that kind of a number -- some are more, some are less. We need to give the audience, essentially, a full meal in return for their affection and devotion and love for these properties." Horn talked a bit about the role of George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars who sold the property and his Lucasfilm Studio to Disney in 2012, in the future development of the Star Wars franchise. "George is a consultant," Horn said. "The understanding is when he sold the company -- and he did sell the company to the Walt Disney Company -- so he's very aware of that. So we now are the primary drivers behind this property. But he is a very valued person. He's the father of all this. Kathy interacts with him, back and forth I think." Star Wars Episode VII is being helmed by J.J. Abrams and will be the first Star Wars film released outside of the direct control of George Lucas. Star Wars Episode VII will be released in theaters December 18, 2015.