George Lucas Creates Animation Group

Lucasfilm Animation is George Lucas’ answer to theever-growing digital animation business. The new group he formed tocreate computer-animated films is separate from his special effectscompany Industrial Light & Magic and will comprise talent outsideof ILM.

The group is still in its infancy, according to Lucasfilm Ltd.spokeswoman Lynn Hale, and there are no details concerning any of itsprojects.

Lucas’ interest in creating digitally animated featuresincludes ILM’s 1997 attempt at a CG Frankenstein. Thatproject, however, was dropped in 1999 when Universal Pictureswithdrew.

Pixar, which created Monsters, Inc. and the upcomingFinding Nemo, was once owned by Lucas, who sold it 17 years agoto Steve Jobs for $10 million. Today, Pixar has a market capitalizationof $3.2 billion.