Animation for Strange Magic, from a story by George Lucas, to be 'entirely produced in Singapore'

Robert Gilby, managing director of The Walt Disney Company, Southeast Asia, and Yuni Hadi, executive director of the Singapore International Film Festival, at a panel discussion held on Dec 9 as part of the Singapore Media Festival. -- PHOTO: TED CHE
Robert Gilby, managing director of The Walt Disney Company, Southeast Asia, and Yuni Hadi, executive director of the Singapore International Film Festival, at a panel discussion held on Dec 9 as part of the Singapore Media Festival. -- PHOTO: TED CHEN FOR THE STRAITS TIMES 

Strange Magic, an upcoming animated feature developed from a story by Star Wars creator George Lucas, will have a large made-in-Singapore component.

Robert Gilby, 44, managing director of The Walt Disney Company, Southeast Asia, said that the animation in the film is "entirely produced in Singapore".

Lucasfilm Animation Singapore is credited as co-producer on the project, which is billed by the company as a "madcap fairy tale musical inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream".

Directed by Gary Rydstrom, making his feature debut, it is slated for release in January next year. It will be voiced by actors Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood and Maya Rudolph.

The decade-old company, part of the Lucasfilm family now owned by Disney, has also produced animation for Rango (2011), winner of an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, as well as television programmes based on the Star Wars universe.

Gilby mentioned the project during a panel discussion held on Dec 9 as part of the Singapore Media Festival taking place at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

He and fellow panellist Yuni Hadi, 38, executive director of the Singapore International Film Festival, spoke about Singapore's potential as a regional centre for film-making.

johnlui@sph.com.sg

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