Lucas opens animation studio in Singapore

The film company of Star Wars creator George Lucas opened a digital animation studio in Singapore today, and said it has started work on his latest project - a television series based on the hit series.

“We’re very excited about the opening of the new studio,” Lucas said.

Lucas, who did not travel to Singapore for the opening, said his new TV series, entitled Clone Wars and based on the Star Wars movies, was being developed in the Singapore production house, and that it would likely be completed next year.

Lucasfilm Animation Singapore is owned by Lucasfilm, Creative Technology, a Singapore-based digital audio company, and the Economic Development Board, the Singapore government arm tasked with wooing investment.

Singapore’s trade and industry minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said the production house provided a boost for the city-state’s growing digital animation industry.

“So many of us are avid fans and admirers of George Lucas’s creative genius,” Balakrishnan said. “I am honoured that Lucasfilm’s first overseas venture is taking place on our home turf.”

Singapore had wooed Lucasfilm to set up its first production studio outside the United States on the island-republic in a bid to become an international centre for the arts and media.

Lucas studios have produced five of the top 20 biggest grossing movies of all time and have won 19 Oscars.