Japan’s iconic animation house Studio Ghibli appears to be teaming up with powerhouse American studio Lucasfilm (part of the Disney family), as hinted at in an enigmatic Tweet broadcasted today (Thursday, Nov. 10). The post features a short video which flashes the Lucasfilm logo before showing Studio Ghibli’s own mark.
While enigmatic, the video was retweeted by Asad Ayaz, Walt Disney Pictures’ President of Marketing, lending some credit to the notion.
— スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) November 10, 2022
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. Since then, the studio has delivered acclaimed films including Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and the breakthrough Oscar-winning feature Spirited Away, directed by Miyazaki.
The studio’s latest feature film and its first all-CGI effort, Goro Miyazaki’s Earwig and the Witch (based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones) was released in 2020/2021. Hayao Miyazaki is currently working on another book adaptation, How Do You Live?
Studio Ghibli also boasts its own museum and has just opened its first dedicated theme park, both in Japan.
Lucasfilm Ltd. was founded by filmmaker George Lucas in 1971, and is best known for producing the franchise sensations Star Wars, which has spawned numerous animation projects, and Indiana Jones, as well as cult classics like American Graffiti, Labyrinth, Howard the Duck and Willow, as well as animated features Twice Upon a Time and The Land Before Time.
The company also houses Lucasfilm Animation and visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic. Lucasfilm was acquired by Walt Disney Studios in 2012 for $4.05 billion.
Upcoming projects include a fifth Indiana Jones film directed by James Mangold (The Wolverine, Logan) and several Star Wars titles in development, including Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron and titles helmed by Taika Waititi, Rian Johnson and Kevin Feige. Lucasfilm Animation’s recent and upcoming series include Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars Detours and anthologies Star Wars: Visions and Tales of the Jedi.
[H/T Deadline]
