The Misconception About George Lucas Selling Pixar: Clarifying the Facts

There's a widespread myth that George Lucas sold Pixar, the groundbreaking animation studio. However, the truth is quite different and involves a complex series of events, ultimately leading to the successful integration of Pixar into the Disney empire. Let's unravel this popular misconception and understand the crucial points surrounding the sale of Pixar.

Fact vs. Fiction: The Truth About Pixar's Origins

The story of Pixar begins in 1979 when it was first established as part of Lucasfilm, the multimedia company founded by George Lucas. Despite popular belief, it wasn’t George Lucas who sold Pixar. Instead, he sold Lucasfilm, which included the Animation division known as Lucasfilm Animation, to Disney in 2012.

George Lucas and the Sale of Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm was sold to The Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion in 2012, a move that led to the eventual acquisition of Pixar. This transaction is often mistaken for the sale of Pixar independent of Lucasfilm. Nonetheless, it was the integration of these entities that paved the way for Pixar's current success.

Steve Jobs and the Foundation of Pixar

The sale that led to the establishment of Pixar as an independent company occurred on February 3, 1986. Steve Jobs, then at the helm of NeXT and recovering from the sale of his stake in Apple, purchased the Lucasfilm Computer Graphics Division from George Lucas.

A pivotal moment in the history of Pixar, this sale set the stage for the animation studio's future. Steve Jobs not only acquired the technology developed by the division but also established an independent company.

The Structure of the Sale

According to the terms of the agreement, Steve Jobs paid George Lucas $10 million for the rights to use the technology developed by Pixar while it was part of Lucasfilm. Additionally, he invested another $5 million directly into Pixar, ensuring its future growth and independence.

Following the sale, Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith took the reins and led Pixar into its new era. They rechristened the Computer Graphics Division as Pixar to better reflect its identity as an independent entity.

Key Dates in Pixar’s History

For a more comprehensive understanding of Pixar's development, here are key dates in its history:

1979: Pixar is established as part of Lucasfilm. 1986: The sale of the Lucasfilm Computer Graphics Division to Steve Jobs. 1986: Pixar is established as an independent company. 2006: Pixar is acquired by The Walt Disney Company. 2012: Walt Disney Company acquires Lucasfilm, including Pixar within the deal.

Conclusion

It's important to clarify these facts to dispel the myth about George Lucas selling Pixar. While Lucasfilm was sold to Disney in 2012, it was the earlier sale of the Computer Graphics Division to Steve Jobs in 1986 that truly marked the establishment of Pixar as an independent entity. The visionary leadership of Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith, along with Steve Jobs' strategic move, laid the foundation for Pixar's success in the animated film industry.