San Diego Comic-Con 2025: George Lucas Museum

The ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ cinematic icon made his first appearance at Comic-Con to discuss his new Museum of Narrative Art, his legacy and more.

George Lucas seen at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via Getty Images.

Preview:

George Lucas made his first trip to the San Diego Comic-Con.
He was on a panel with Guillermo del Toro and designer Doug Chiang.
Queen Latifah was the moderator.

Given his legendary status as an iconic creator of cinematic stalwarts such as the 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' movies, it's perhaps a little shocking that George Lucas hasn't been to the San Diego Comic-Con.

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All that changed today when Lucas made a rare public appearance and took over Hall H for a panel to celebrate his new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. He took to the stage with fellow filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Lucasfilm Executive Designer Director Doug Chiang (who has worked on 'Star Wars' and so much more) for a panel moderated by Queen Latifah.

What is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art?

Oscar®-nominated writer/director/producer George Lucas speaks as part of the award presentation to Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Angelina Jolie during the 2013 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to illustrated storytelling across time, cultures, and media.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judy Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb, plus photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange.

The museum also houses the Lucas Archive, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.

What happened at the George Lucas panel?

(L to R) Queen Latifah, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang seen at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via Getty Images.

Lucas unsurprisingly got a standing ovation as he took the stage to talk up his new museum.

Part of his impetus for building the museum was a place to store some of his own huge art collection.

This is what Lucas had to say about art:

“It’s a temple to the people’s art. Art is more about a connection and emotional connection with the work, not how much it cost or what celebrity did it. I don’t think it’s anything anyone will tell you. If you have emotional connection, it’s art. If you don’t, just move onto the next painting."

Among the exclusive items hosted at the museum? The very first character drawing of Flash Gordon from 1934, 'Peanuts' comic sketches from the 50s & 60s, original drawings from the first 'Iron Man' comic and some original ink art of 'Black Panther'.

For del Toro's part, he revealed that art his own extensive art collection survived the LA wildfires earlier this year, he'll be housing a lot of it at the museum.

The panel wrapped up with a sizzle reel narrated by 'Star Wars' prequel star Samuel L. Jackson, which previewed some of the prolific works attendees can expect, i.e. General Grievous' bike and the land speeder from the original 'Star Wars'.

Many of the 'Star Wars' pieces of art, in particular those from concept artist Ralph McQuarrie, will be housed in the cinema gallery, one of 30-40 galleries at the museum.

When will the museum be open?

The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art doesn’t have a specific opening date yet, but is scheduled to open in 2026 in Los Angeles.

(L to R) Guillermo del Toro, George Lucas, Queen Latifah and Doug Chiang seen at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via Getty Images.