Sad news as the landlords of 3210 Kerner Boulevard, San Rafael, CA 94901, the home of the George Lucas Theater and the ILM Model and Practical Effects Shop, is set to be refurbished and turned into industrial warehouses. With 32ten Studios the current tenants, this allows the landlords to maximise their investment on the property but also means a huge slice of movie magic is about to fade into history unless something is done about it.
‘Almost ALL of the effects, and numerous famous scenes, for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi were created and filmed here. The list of other major films that had moments filmed here, or had their practical effects done at the studio is massive; The Rocketeer, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, and Back to the Future to name a few.‘
Scott Wickman, Sean House and Doug Cox are looking to start a crowdfunding project to attempt to save this unique space, a key location in Bay Area filmmaking and a home to many of the greatest moments in movie history.
