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Well, this is unexpected: In a deal worth a reported $4 billion in stocks and cash, George Lucas has handed the keys to his Star Wars kingdom over to Disney. Saying that "Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas," the understandably enthused Disney CEO, Bob Iger, heralded an acquisition that "combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney's unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value."

The Walt Disney Company, in a move that gives it a commanding position in the fantasy world of film, said Tuesday it had agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. from its founder, George Lucas, for $4.05 billion in stock and cash.

Trying to finally master the Internet the way it has theme parks or animated films, the Walt Disney Company has redesigned its Web site, Disney.com, for the third time in five years.

Here’s what we know: Monsters University, a prequel to 2001′s Monsters Inc. is coming in June 2013. Here’s what we think we know: Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton has signed on to direct Finding Nemo 2.

Disney is developing a mixed live-action/CGI movie called The Stuff of Legend, according to Deadline. Pete Candeland is attached to direct, with Shawn Christensen writing the script.

Walt Disney Co. will stop accepting some junk-food ads on TV programs, radio shows and websites aimed at children, according to sources with knowledge of the plan.

Mr. Horn reluctantly left Warner Brothers last year, indelicately squeezed out after he successfully guided the "Harry Potter" franchise. He replaces Rich Ross, who was fired in March.

Disney’s “The Avengers” has earned almost universally positive reviews and made $200 million in its first weekend. Yet for some in the adoption community, a joke in the film goes too far.

The move ends a two-and-a-half-year tenure that was more notable for continued misses than hits. His exit comes after Disney was forced to take a $200 million write-down tied to the science-fiction megaflop “John Carter.” Other misses include “Mars Needs Moms” and “Prom.” Mr. Ross scored one smash: “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

Walt Disney Co. signed a co-production deal with China's DMG Entertainment to produce its next "Iron Man" film in China, highlighting the nation's draw for the global entertainment industry.