Disney has announced the completion of its acquisition of Lucasfilm, Digital Spy said.

The agreement to purchase was initially announced on October 30, when Disney also revealed that it planned to make Episodes VII, VIII and IX in Lucasfilm's Star Wars series.

The deal has been valued at around $4.06 billion (approximately £2.5bn), slightly higher than the $4.05bn cited at the end of October, after Disney's share price closed at $50 December 21.

President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger said: "We're thrilled to welcome Lucasfilm to the Disney family.

"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."

Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt will write the script for Episode VII, with Ewan McGregor, Samuel L Jackson and Peter Serafinowicz having said that they would like to return to the series.

Harrison Ford has also apparently privately expressed hopes of playing Han Solo again, while Merlin's Katie McGrath said this week that she would "melt into a puddle on the floor" if she were offered a role.

Star Wars Episode VII is scheduled for a 2015 release.