'Light & Magic' on Disney+ highlights legendary special-effects company

There might have been an Industrial Light & Magic anyway, but a movie called “Star Wars” made its creation more essential at the time.

The special-effects firm George Lucas founded for his iconic saga of “a galaxy far, far away” also has serviced many other projects over almost 50 years, and its history is traced as the Disney+ documentary series “Light & Magic” begins streaming Wednesday, July 27. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote several “Star Wars” films and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” for Lucas, the program expectedly showcases bountiful effects and animation in recalling how ILM came to be, then thrived.

Kasdan is an executive producer of “Light & Magic,” as is Ron Howard, who directed “Willow” for Lucas ... who, in a real sense, had no choice but to create ILM in the mid-1970s for the never-before-seen visuals he wanted for what eventually became known as “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.”

20th Century Fox, the studio bankrolling the picture, no longer had a special-effects team, so Lucas built his own by enlisting John Dykstra (who became a household name in the field) to assemble and oversee such a group.

That alliance ultimately earned an Oscar for its initial “Star Wars” work, but that didn't mean all ran smoothly, particularly where matters of budget and schedule were concerned. However, that was only the beginning for ILM, which has contributed to roughly 300 other movies since. Those include titles in the “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter,” “Star Trek,” “Jurassic Park,” “Transformers,” “Back to the Future” and “Mission: Impossible” franchises, along with such stand-alone features as “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” and “The Abyss.”

Though such items as light sabers and X-wing fighters are ILM trademarks, they aren't the only sorts of effects the company does. Such movies as “Forrest Gump” and “Schindler's List” have shown how the firm has transported actors into other settings or added performers to a scene that requires them. Close Lucas friend (and sometimes collaborator) Steven Spielberg has been a frequent ILM client.

ILM also has contributed to popular culture in other ways. Besides its well-known movie work, its contributions have been seen in many commercials for products ranging from soda and fast food to batteries and sneakers. And its staff alumni include filmmakers David Fincher (“The Social Network”) and Joe Johnston (“Jumanji”), actor Masi Oka (“Heroes”) and several “MythBusters” principals.

With this year's “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Jurassic Park Dominion” using its services, Industrial Light and Magic is staying in the forefront of its business area. Even as Disney+ takes a look back with “Light & Magic,” the firm continues to move forward with the sights and sounds it generates.