George Lucas reveals new details about Lucas Museum during Comic-Con 2025
George Lucas seen at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025. (Eric Charbonneau/The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art via Getty Images)
George Lucas made his first-ever appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, offering a first look at the long-anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
The panel, held in the convention's largest venue, drew more than 6,000 attendees and closed out the four-day event with one of its most widely attended sessions on Sunday, July 27.
Joined by director Guillermo del Toro, Lucasfilm executive Doug Chiang and moderator Queen Latifah, the "Star Wars" director discussed the museum's mission and revealed new details ahead of its 2026 opening in Los Angeles' Exposition Park.
"Society cannot exist without a common belief system," Lucas said. "And that's where illustration is vital to show you what that means in everyday life."
He described the museum as "a temple to the people's art."
Guillermo del Toro, George Lucas, Queen Latifah and Doug Chiang (l. to r.) seen at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025. (Eric Charbonneau/The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art via Getty Images)
The $1 billion institution, co-founded by Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, will focus on narrative art across cultures and periods - from ancient cave paintings to comic books and digital media.
Artifacts in the museum's collection include a 1934 Flash Gordon strip, early Peanuts cartoons and original Black Panther pages from 1968.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art was originally proposed for San Francisco, where Lucas aimed to build the institution in the Presidio on a former Army commissary site at Crissy Field near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Despite strong political support from figures including then-Gov. Jerry Brown and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Presidio Trust ultimately rejected the proposal, citing concerns over the scale and design.
Lucas then explored a location in Chicago, which also fell through following a legal challenge from a local preservation group. After years of delays and shifting plans, Lucas selected Los Angeles' Exposition Park in 2017 as the museum's permanent home.
Del Toro, who serves on the museum's board, compared the museum's focus to the canonization of pop culture.
Queen Latifah, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang (l. to r.) seen at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025. (Eric Charbonneau/The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art via Getty Images)
"Imagine if we only had classical music, and rock ‘n' roll was never created?" he said. "This is rock ‘n' roll and rock ‘n' roll needs to be enshrined."
Chiang noted that comic and magazine art were once "looked down upon," but said the museum will elevate underrecognized creators.
"They are acknowledging and giving respect to artists who really haven't been highlighted before," he said.
The panel ended with a standing ovation.
The museum remains on track to open next year despite recent layoffs and leadership changes.
