This week, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)—the visual effects studio that transformed moviemaking—celebrates a major milestone: its 50th anniversary. Founded by George Lucas in 1975 to bring Star Wars: A New Hope to life, ILM has since become the industry’s leading visual effects powerhouse. The ILM 50th Anniversary marks not just a celebration of history, but a commitment to future innovation.
In an interview with Janet Lewin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ILM, the Walt Disney Company offered a look back at the studio’s rich history—and a glimpse of what lies ahead.
From Rebels to Industry Titans
What began as 25 creative rebels in a Van Nuys warehouse has grown into a global company with over 3,500 professionals working on more than 50 projects at once. ILM pioneered new visual effects techniques with miniatures and motion control photography, but its spirit of innovation never stopped. Over five decades, the company has continued to shape the industry with advances in CGI, virtual production, and immersive storytelling. The ILM 50th Anniversary celebrates this incredible journey.
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Lewin credits ILM’s long-standing success to the incredible talent behind the scenes. Artists, technicians, and production teams all contribute to a people-first culture where careers often span decades. Collaboration and creativity remain central to ILM’s identity, ensuring it evolves with the times while staying true to its roots.
ILM and Disney: A Shared Vision
Since joining the Walt Disney Company through the Lucasfilm acquisition in 2012, ILM has expanded its impact across franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, Avatar, and Disney’s live-action reimaginings. The connection between Walt Disney’s innovation and George Lucas’ storytelling is clear—both emphasized cutting-edge techniques to bring incredible stories to life.
Technologies like Disney’s Multiplane Camera and ILM’s StageCraft are generations apart but share the same visionary DNA.
A Legacy of Iconic Imagery
ILM’s filmography includes everything from dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean, to Grogu in The Mandalorian. Each project pushes the boundaries of what’s possible while honoring the artistry that defined their earliest work.
They’ve also made strides in interactive storytelling, like What If…? – An Immersive Story and ABBA Voyage, showing how ILM’s influence reaches beyond film.
Looking to the Future
As ILM celebrates its 50th year, the studio remains committed to exploring new mediums and empowering the next generation of creators. With the same fearless creativity that fueled its founding, ILM plans to continue transforming the future of visual storytelling for decades to come.
Go Behind the Scenes with Light & Magic
For fans and film buffs looking to delve into the origins of ILM, the Disney+ docuseries Light & Magic provides an unprecedented glimpse inside the visual effects powerhouse. Season 1, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, showcases never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with the original ILM team. It’s an inspiring deep dive into how groundbreaking techniques helped shape cinematic history.
During Star Wars Celebration Japan, Lucasfilm officially announced Season 2 of Light & Magic, promising even more insight into ILM’s latest innovations and the people behind them. With the studio celebrating its 50th anniversary, there’s never been a better time to revisit where it all began—and see where it’s going next.
For more on ILM’s legacy and future, check out the full interview on the Walt Disney Company website. New ILM 50th Anniversary apparel and a tumbler are now available on Amazon.com.
