George Lucas Unveils Vision for New Museum at Comic-Con

George Lucas captivated attendees at Comic-Con on July 23, 2023, unveiling plans for his much-anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The legendary filmmaker received a warm welcome from a crowd of thousands, many of whom held light sabers aloft, while iconic Star Wars music filled the hall. This marks Lucas’ first appearance at the San Diego event, where he shared his vision for a cultural institution dedicated to the art of storytelling.

Bringing Art to the People

Lucas, 81, took to the stage dressed casually in jeans and a flannel shirt. He appeared humble amidst the enthusiastic reception. The museum, co-founded with his wife and businesswoman Mellody Hobson, has been in development since its announcement in 2017 and is set to open in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park next year.

Describing the museum as “a temple to the people’s art,” Lucas emphasized its commitment to showcasing not just Star Wars memorabilia, but also a wide range of comic art and other significant works. The museum, designed by architect Ma Yansong, will span 300,000 square feet, roughly the size of an average IKEA store. An introductory video narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson highlighted the collection’s diversity.

Lucas expressed pride in his extensive collection, which includes works by renowned artists such as Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. Hobson has focused on acquiring pieces from Black artists, including Norman Lewis and Kara Walker, further enriching the museum’s offerings.

A Conversation on Cultural Impact

The panel discussion featured notable figures such as director Guillermo del Toro and production designer Doug Chiang, who has worked on the Star Wars franchise since the 1990s. The session was moderated by rapper and actress Queen Latifah, a friend of Lucas and Hobson. Latifah energized the crowd, asking, “Are y’all pumped up for this museum now or what?”

The impetus for the museum came from Lucas’s desire to preserve the vast collection he has gathered since his college days in the 1960s. He recalled that original comic art was surprisingly affordable back then, saying, “I could get an ‘Alley-Oop’ for $30.” His collection includes the first drawing of Flash Gordon, original Peanuts comic strips, and early illustrations of iconic characters like Iron Man and Black Panther.

Del Toro, an avid collector himself and a member of the museum’s board, shared his concerns about the recent Los Angeles wildfires coming dangerously close to his collection. He remarked, “Now that the museum exists, a lot of it may go there,” highlighting the need for safe preservation of cultural artifacts.

Throughout the panel, the significance of comics as a form of political commentary was underscored. Del Toro stated, “Comics were the first to punch Nazis, before movies.” This perspective aligns with Lucas’s vision of the museum as a space for art that reflects societal issues.

The Lucas Museum will occupy an 11-acre campus adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in close proximity to several other major cultural institutions and the University of Southern California. While an exact opening date is yet to be announced, the excitement surrounding the project continues to build.

Lucas’s museum promises to be a significant addition to Los Angeles’s cultural landscape, celebrating the art of storytelling and its impact on society. As the project moves forward, the anticipation among fans and art lovers alike is palpable.