Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic is opening a new studio in Sydney, Australia later this year. The company hopes to have artists at the new studio contribute to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Courtesy of Disney
What’s happening:
- Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) is heading to Sydney, Australia. The special effects division of Lucasfilm will open a new studio at Fox Studios Australia later this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
- The plan is to have the artists at this branch work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker which debuts in theatres on December 20.
- The opening is planned for later this year, hopefully in time for its artists to contribute according to and head of ILM. Skywalker is slated for a Dec. 20 release.
- THR says that ILM Singapore’s studio head, Luke Hetherington, will also serve as “executive in charge” at Sydney, dividing his time between the two locations.
- Rob Bredow, ILM’s executive creative director says the plan is to have 50-100 employees working out of Sydney by the end of the year. They hope to continue to grow in 2020.
- ILM is headquartered in San Francisco. They are also based in Vancouver and London.
What they’re saying:
- Rob Bredow, executive creative director and head of ILM: "Sydney is an ideal location for our fifth studio. There is abundant artistic and technical talent in the region, which are both keys to ILM's culture of innovation."
Did you know:
- In addition to Rise of Skywalker ILM is currently working on other productions including:
- Terminator: Dark Fate
- Jungle Cruise
- The Irishman