Film producer Sam Mercer has joined Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) as the head of studio, the division of Lucasfilm Ltd. announced Tuesday.
Mercer will oversee and coordinate the company’s operations across the visual effects studio’s four global studios, which include studios in San Francisco, Singapore, Vancouver and London.
Over the years, Mercer has produced many films which include seven of M. Night Shyamalan‘s movies (“Signs,” “Sixth Sense”), as well as “Jarhead” and “Snow White and the Huntsman.” Mercer also serves as a producer on Steven Spielberg‘s upcoming film “The BFG,” based on Roald Dahl’s novel and set for release in 2016.
“I am thrilled that Sam will be leading ILM into our fifth decade,” said Lynwen Brennan, Lucasfilm General Manger and to whom Mercer will be reporting. “His vast experience as a producer together with his long history with visual effects including eight films with ILM provides a valuable perspective within the VFX industry.”
“ILM is unparalleled in the industry in terms of their artistry and legacy of innovation,” said Mercer. “Having worked with them on eight films, I know firsthand the incredible talent at the company and from a filmmaker’s point of view they are one of the few companies that consistently delivers not only with regard to achieving the creative vision but from a scheduling and budgetary perspective as well.”
Mercer has also previously worked with The Walt Disney Studios as a production executive on films such as “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Three Fugitives” and “Dead Poets Society.” When Mercer was promoted to vice president of motion picture production for Hollywood Pictures, he was involved in releases that include “Swing Kids” and “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.”
ILM has been around for 40 years and has become synonymous with groundbreaking visual effects work. The division of Lucasfilm Ltd. has won 15 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects.