Disney Kicks Off ‘Star Wars’ Merchandising With App Game

More than a year from its release, Disney is already gearing up merchandising for Star Wars: Episode VII, the latest in a franchise which has spanned nearly four decades. Disney Interactive, the company’s digital arm, premiered its latest free-to-play game 'Star Wars: Commander' Thursday. The app focuses on plotlines of the original six films, rather than the seventh which is currently still in production. The Star Wars franchise currently makes more than $1 billion in global retail sales, one of eight Disney brands to do so (also among them Monsters Inc., Cars, Disney Princess and Mickey Mouse).