Lucasfilm Animation

Lucasfilm Animation is an American animation studio and division of Lucasfilm. It was established in 2005 to develop animated productions, particularly projects set within the Star Wars universe. The studio's first major releases arrived in 2008 with the computer-animated feature film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the related television series of the same name. These productions expanded the story introduced by the Star Wars prequel films and established animation as an important part of the franchise's continuing production strategy. The studio has worked through a wider Lucasfilm production network that has included Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, Industrial Light & Magic, LucasArts and other Lucasfilm-associated operations. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore was established in 2005 to draw on Singapore's creative and technical talent. Its work included support for animation, visual effects and game-related production, while its principal animation group contributed to The Clone Wars. The Singapore operation also created a Game Group and a Digital Artists Group. The Game Group worked on the Nintendo DS titles Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Jedi Alliance and Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes. Lucasfilm Animation's principal creative identity has been defined by Star Wars television. The Clone Wars was followed by Star Wars Rebels, which continued the studio's role in developing animated stories for television and introduced characters and events that became significant within the broader Star Wars canon. The studio also produced other animated Star Wars programming and specials, while its feature-film work included Strange Magic, which premiered in 2015 and represented a project outside the Star Wars franchise. In September 2016, Dave Filoni, who had been closely associated with The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, was promoted to oversee development of future Lucasfilm Animation projects. His expanded role reflected the strategic importance of animation to Lucasfilm's storytelling pipeline and to the management of interconnected Star Wars projects. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore moved into the Eclipse, commonly known as the Sandcrawler building, in Singapore in early 2014. The building also housed other Disney and Lucasfilm-related operations. Disney sold the property to Blackstone in 2021. In August 2023, Lucasfilm announced the closure of its Singapore operations, citing economic factors; Disney also associated the decision with industry conditions, including the effects of the SAG-AFTRA strike in the United States. The Singapore closure did not eliminate Lucasfilm Animation as a brand or division. Lucasfilm Animation remains associated with Lucasfilm's animated development and production activities, with its work distributed through Disney-controlled entertainment channels.

Lucasfilm Animation was established in 2005 as Lucasfilm developed a dedicated capability for computer animation and animated storytelling. Its formation reflected the growing importance of digital production to the Star Wars franchise and to Lucasfilm's broader creative operations. The studio's initial focus was the development of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a project designed to extend the narrative period between the Star Wars prequel films and to present that setting through computer-generated animation. Lucasfilm also created Lucasfilm Animation Singapore in 2005. The Singapore studio was intended to draw on local and regional artistic and technical talent and to work closely with the principal Lucasfilm Animation operation. Its largest production group concentrated on The Clone Wars, while other groups supported game development and digital-art work. In 2006, the Singapore operation announced a Game Group and a Digital Artists Group. The latter functioned as an extension of Industrial Light & Magic and contributed to visual-effects work, while the Game Group supported projects associated with LucasArts and Lucasfilm Animation. The Singapore studio encountered difficulty meeting the technical and aesthetic requirements of The Clone Wars. Its principal production role on the project was subsequently reduced, and a number of employees were released. The operation nevertheless continued to contribute to related production activities. In 2007, it launched the Jedi Masters Program, a paid apprenticeship that combined classroom teaching with practical mentoring by personnel from Industrial Light & Magic, LucasArts and Lucasfilm Animation. The Clone Wars marked Lucasfilm Animation's first major public production cycle. The feature film premiered in 2008, followed by the television series, which became the studio's most prominent early property. The series helped establish Lucasfilm Animation as a major vehicle for expanding Star Wars continuity beyond live-action film. The studio later produced additional Star Wars animated programming, including Star Wars Rebels, and developed other television, short-form and special projects. In 2015, it released Strange Magic, an animated feature outside the Star Wars setting. Lucasfilm Animation's creative leadership became more closely integrated with Lucasfilm's wider franchise planning during the 2010s. Dave Filoni, recognized for his work on The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, received a promotion in September 2016 to oversee the development of future Lucasfilm Animation projects. This expanded responsibility underscored the role of animation in maintaining and extending the Star Wars narrative universe. Lucasfilm Singapore relocated to the Eclipse building in early 2014. The building, commonly called the Sandcrawler, was designed as a major regional base for Lucasfilm and related Disney operations. Disney sold the property to Blackstone in 2021 for a reported US$132 million. In August 2023, Lucasfilm announced that it would close its Singapore operations. Disney cited economic considerations and the difficult production environment, including the effects of the SAG-AFTRA strike in the United States. The closure ended the Singapore operating base but did not end Lucasfilm Animation as a Lucasfilm division. The brand continues to represent Lucasfilm's animation development and production activities, especially within the Star Wars franchise.

• 2023

  Lucasfilm Singapore operations close

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Lucasfilm announces the closure of its Singapore operations, citing economic and industry conditions.

• 2021

  Sandcrawler property is sold

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Disney sells the Singapore Sandcrawler building to Blackstone for a reported US$132 million.

• 2016

  Dave Filoni assumes expanded development oversight

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Dave Filoni is promoted to oversee development of future Lucasfilm Animation projects.

• 2015

  Strange Magic premieres

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Lucasfilm Animation releases its major non-Star Wars animated feature project.

• 2014

  Singapore operation relocates to Sandcrawler

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Lucasfilm Singapore moves into the Eclipse building, commonly known as the Sandcrawler.

• 2008

  The Clone Wars feature and series debut

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  The animated feature Star Wars: The Clone Wars and its television continuation debut.

• 2007

  Jedi Masters Program begins

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  The Singapore studio launches a paid apprenticeship combining classroom training and mentored production experience.

• 2006

  Game Group and Digital Artists Group are announced

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Lucasfilm Animation Singapore adds dedicated groups for game development and digital-art production.

• 2005

  Lucasfilm Animation is established

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  Lucasfilm establishes a dedicated animation studio to develop animated productions, with Star Wars as its principal creative focus.

• 2005

  Lucasfilm Animation Singapore opens

  [1]Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org

  The Singapore operation opens in October to access regional talent and support Lucasfilm's animation and digital production activities.

A franchise-focused animation studio centered on Star Wars storytelling, while also capable of producing standalone animated feature projects and contributing animation and digital production expertise across Lucasfilm.

• Animated feature film · 2008

  Star Wars: The Clone Wars

  The first major feature production associated with Lucasfilm Animation. Released in 2008, the computer-animated film is set during the Clone Wars period of the Star Wars saga and served as the introduction to the related television series.

• Animated television series · 2008

  Star Wars: The Clone Wars

  A computer-animated Star Wars television series that expanded the conflict between the Galactic Republic and Separatist forces. It became Lucasfilm Animation's foundational television production and helped establish animation as a central format for Star Wars storytelling.

• Animated television series

  Star Wars Rebels

  A Star Wars animated series produced by Lucasfilm Animation and centered on the beginnings of the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. The series extended the studio's television role after The Clone Wars and introduced characters and story elements that connected with the wider Star Wars franchise.

• Animated feature film · 2015

  Strange Magic

  A computer-animated musical fantasy feature and one of Lucasfilm Animation's principal projects outside the Star Wars universe. It premiered in 2015 and demonstrated the studio's ability to develop a standalone animated feature property.

• Video game · 2008

  Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Jedi Alliance

  A Nintendo DS game developed by the Game Group at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore in connection with The Clone Wars franchise.

• Video game · 2009

  Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes

  A Nintendo DS game developed by Lucasfilm Animation Singapore's Game Group and associated with the Star Wars: The Clone Wars property.

• 2023

  Close Lucasfilm Singapore operationsStrategy

  Background

  Lucasfilm and Disney cited economic factors and difficult industry conditions, including disruption associated with the SAG-AFTRA strike.

  Action taken

  Lucasfilm announced the shutdown of its Singapore operations.

  Aftermath

  The Singapore production base closed, while Lucasfilm Animation continued as a Lucasfilm division.

  Source

• 2016

  Expand Dave Filoni's animation development remitStrategy

  Background

  Filoni had established a strong creative association with The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.

  Action taken

  Lucasfilm promoted Filoni to oversee development of future Lucasfilm Animation projects.

  Aftermath

  The decision strengthened the integration of Lucasfilm Animation's development work with the wider Star Wars creative strategy.

  Source

• 2005

  Establish a dedicated animation operationStrategy

  Background

  Lucasfilm sought a specialized production structure for computer-animated storytelling and Star Wars projects.

  Action taken

  Lucasfilm created Lucasfilm Animation and established a related Singapore operation to access additional creative and technical talent.

  Aftermath

  The studio developed The Clone Wars and became a continuing production center for animated Star Wars content.

  Source

1. 1Lucasfilm Animationen.wikipedia.org