Hold onto your Millennium Falcon replicas, because there’s some big news from Lucasfilm that’s causing ripples in the Force. As announced on August 15, 2023, the animation studio responsible for bringing us the iconic Star Wars: The Clone Wars series is closing its doors after an impressive 20-year run.
Imagine, back in 2004, Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) visual effects animation studio in Singapore ignited its lightsabers and set off on a mission to bring the Clone Wars to life. It’s been quite the ride, but as we know, even the most epic adventures have their final chapters. The curtain is falling on this Singapore studio, which saw its VFX team relocated to Singapore’s Sandcrawler Building alongside Disney’s Southeast Asia offices in 2013. Then, in a twist worthy of a Star Wars plot, the building changed hands and was acquired by the Blackstone Group in 2021.
The Force of economics is at play here, my friends. Disney has officially announced that they’re “consolidating its global footprint and winding down its Singapore studio due to economic factors affecting the industry.” It’s a reminder that even in the fantastical realm of Star Wars, real-world forces hold sway.
The closing of this animation hub will result in approximately 300 talented staffers facing an uncertain future, but Disney and ILM aren’t leaving them stranded on Tatooine. They’re swooping in with a plan to offer these creative minds opportunities to relocate to other bustling studios. From San Francisco to Vancouver, London to Sydney, and Mumbai to points beyond, the galaxy of possibilities is vast.
In a show of support for the employees in this transitional phase, Disney and ILM are organizing a targeted job fair. It’s like a smuggler’s rendezvous, but for job-seekers looking to join forces with companies seeking their unique skill sets. And let’s not forget the statement from Singapore’s Economic Development Board and Infocomm Media Development Authority, emphasizing that these talented individuals are in high demand across various industries.
In a time when animation industries are navigating their own turbulences, from actor unions pushing for better conditions to concerns over animator well-being, change is afoot. As fans who’ve journeyed alongside these creative minds, we’re attuned to the shifts in the cosmos.
While the studio closing is undoubtedly a moment of reflection, it’s essential to remember that creativity in the Star Wars universe is as boundless as the galaxy itself. The closing of a chapter opens the door to new narratives, just as a hyperdrive jump transports us to uncharted territories. As we look to the stars, we’re reminded that our love for this saga transcends time and space.
So, fellow travelers in the realm of sci-fi dreams, let’s keep our lightsabers ignited and our eyes on the horizon. While this studio may be stepping out of the spotlight, the Star Wars galaxy continues to expand in ways we can only imagine. And as always, may the Force be with us all.
If you’re feeling the nostalgia for the Clone Wars, you can still stream the series on Disney+. Stay tuned for more intergalactic updates!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Lori has been a science-fiction fan since the age of 12. She is owner of Scifispace.com as well as Scifi-Collector.com and chaired Tachycon, science fiction convention, for 13 years.
