George Lucas, Queen Latifah, and Guillermo del Toro Walk Into an SDCC Panel… (Watch the Video)

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As a devoted film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that my journey with my esteemed partner Mellody Hobson led us to co-found our Museum of Storytelling Art. Announced back in 2017, our vision was initially met with skepticism by cities like San Francisco and Chicago. However, it was Los Angeles that eventually welcomed our museum into its heart. Given the significant role film plays in narrative art, it’s only fitting that we’ve nestled it next to the iconic Hollywood district.

Our museum, dedicated to celebrating storytelling through various art forms, will feature pieces ranging from films and comics to magazine illustrations, even delving into ancient cave paintings. So, don’t expect any abstract expressionism from Jackson Pollock on our walls. In George Lucas’ own words, this museum is set to become “a sanctuary for the people’s art.”

The architectural genius behind this project, Ma Yansong, has designed a structure that resembles a spaceship gracefully landing in the middle of Los Angeles, making it a breathtaking addition to the cityscape. This temple of storytelling is poised to become a beacon for art lovers everywhere.

The event kicked off featuring a video by Samuel L. Jackson, showcasing a preview of the museum for Hall H attendees, filled with numerous Star Wars artifacts sourced from Lucasfilm’s archives. Additionally, items from George Lucas’ private collection such as the first Flash Gordon drawing from 1934, original Peanuts comics by Charles Schulz, and early Marvel sketches including Black Panther were displayed. Unlike many celebrity art collectors, Lucas shared at the SDCC panel that he has never parted ways with any of his collected pieces. Now, at 81 years old, the legendary figure admits, “I’ve got all this stuff and I won’t sell it. I couldn’t do that.

In his own residence, dubbed “Bleak House,” Guillermo del Toro houses an immense collection of artwork from films and comics amassed over the years. However, after narrowly escaping the devastating wildfires in Southern California earlier this year that threatened to consume his treasures, he shared that “Since the museum has been established, much of it might end up there.” It’s quite fitting that this discussion took place at Comic-Con, given the significant role comics play in contemporary storytelling art. Del Toro emphasized to the audience, “Comics were the pioneers who punched Nazis; even before movies.” Doug Chiang, currently a production designer at Lucasfilm, revealed that his passion for art was ignited by comic books during his childhood.

At the conclusion of the SDCC panel, Lucas expressed, “A functioning society relies upon shared beliefs. This is where illustration plays a crucial role in demonstrating these beliefs in practical terms. Science fiction may seem like a myth, yet it has become reality thanks to science fiction literature and artwork that sparks thoughts such as ‘Perhaps we could travel to the moon.’ Once an idea like this is put into action, we begin to believe it’s possible… In science fiction, you must not rely on what is known, but rather find inspiration in what we believe we know.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens to the public sometime in early 2026.

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2025-07-29 02:02