Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects division of Star Wars producer Lucasfilm, has revealed plans to open a facility in London.

Its 200 staff will also work on the effects for the upcoming next instalment in the series as well as other films produced in the UK such as upcoming Avengers sequel Age of Ultron, according to reports.

Star Wars: Episode VII is directed by JJ Abrams and is set to shoot at Pinewood studios in May.

The move follows Disney’s $4.05bn acquisition of George Lucas’s studio and its various divisions in October 2012.

The opening of an outpost north of Soho in London follows the opening of a new ILM facility in Singapore last month.

Roger Guyett will oversee the VFX for the new Star Wars film, having previously worked with Abrams on his two Star Trek features. He also worked on the final Star Wars prequel, Revenge of the Sith.

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