On May 23, 2026, more than two dozen original Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) crewmates reunited to celebrate 50 years since the production of Star Wars. The reunion was held at a small studio in Van Nuys, California, the first workplace of this ragtag group of innovators who launched their careers and changed the future of visual effects.
Host and sponsor of the event, Ray Feeney, VES, opened the event stating, “This was the beginning of things that changed VFX forever. The people in this crowd are responsible for changing the industry.”
The intimate event brought generations of VFX industry leaders together. John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, VES, Dennis Muren, VES, Rose Duignan and Gene Kozicki, VES, each provided their perspectives on creating the iconic film.
John Dykstra looked back at what was created there. “We assembled this team,” he said, “friends of mine and people with whom I’ve worked and shared a shorthand together. The key to it was everybody was more interested in the process and the experience than the paycheck. We shared the desire to tinker, to experiment with photography and all the while to communicate with collegiality.”
For Richard Edlund, it all started with a phone call. “I was at Robert Abel & Associates doing commercials with computers. I get this call from John [Dykstra] about this sci-fi picture, and he wanted to talk about it. I hopped in my VW and zoomed right over! John and Gary Kurtz and I got into this in-depth conversation about chemistry and camera systems. We were on the same page right away.”
ILM teammates gave tours of the facility. Their joy was contagious as the former colleagues reminisced about their adventures as a young team of innovators determined to create something entirely new.
Models and miniatures including the ‘Death Star trench run,’ an X-Wing and a TIE Fighter lined the walls. A replica R2-D2 stood sentry at the end of the tour. Many attendees brought their own Star Wars artifacts, including screen-used matte paintings and photo albums.
In his closing remarks, Gene Kozicki spoke directly to the filmmakers: “We all have careers in this business because we saw this little film about 100 times too many when we were kids. You have contributed to so many people’s lives in so many ways, and we are so grateful for that. We know who you are. We know what you’ve worked on. We love you for it.”
