Lucasfilm

Founded in 1971 by George Lucas—the man who single-handedly reshaped Hollywood with a lightsaber—Lucasfilm is the cinematic behemoth behind “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones,” two franchises that make you wonder if the real Force is an unlimited supply of marketing dollars. The company’s defining moment was, of course, the 1977 release of “Star Wars,” a space opera that turned sci-fi from niche geekery into global phenomenon. Sold to Disney for a staggering $4 billion in 2012, Lucasfilm’s current valuation is a galaxy far, far away, but estimated at around $10 billion, thanks to the relentless exploitation of nostalgia and the unstoppable juggernaut of its intellectual property. The company has earned accolades like Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score while stumbling through controversies like the prequel trilogy’s critically panned dialogue and the infamous underwhelming box office performance of “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” Under Kathleen Kennedy’s stewardship, Lucasfilm continues to juggle legacy with innovation, proving that while the Force may be strong, the battle for relevance is even stronger.