Legendary filmmaker George Lucas, best known as the creator of Star Wars, is returning to the spotlight in an unexpected way. In 2026, he will open the long-anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park. Yet despite the monumental investment and futuristic architecture, little is known about what exactly the museum will contain.
Not Just for Star Wars Fans
While fans of the galaxy far, far away might expect a museum dedicated to lightsabers and stormtroopers, Lucas has a much broader vision. The Lucas Museum is designed to explore narrative art in all its forms — from fine art and photography to comics, film, and digital storytelling.
The core of the collection will include Lucas’ own extensive private archive, with works by Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell, and Robert Colescott, among others. The museum will also feature the “Separate Cinema Archive,” a treasure trove of over 37,000 items documenting African American cinema and its cultural legacy.
Behind-the-Scenes Changes Raise Questions
Adding to the mystery is a wave of recent leadership changes. In early 2025, museum director Sandra Jackson-Dumont stepped down, prompting Lucas himself to take over the content direction. Meanwhile, Jim Gianopulos, former CEO of 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures, was appointed interim CEO to oversee operations.
The shake-up included layoffs, particularly in the education and public engagement departments, leaving many to wonder how the museum’s mission will be executed — or even what its first exhibitions will look like.
A Building as Bold as the Vision
If there’s one thing that isn’t a mystery, it’s the architecture. Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the futuristic structure looks like something out of a science fiction film. Spanning five floors and over 300,000 square feet, the building will house 100,000 square feet of gallery space, two state-of-the-art theaters, ten education studios, a library, café, restaurant, and multiple event spaces.
Surrounding the museum is a 11-acre park designed by Mia Lehrer and Studio-MLA, featuring walking paths, gardens, and a public amphitheater.
A Vision Beyond the Screen
According to Lucas, the goal of the museum is to explore how storytelling in visual media shapes who we are — culturally and personally. “Narrative art is the art of everyday life,” Lucas has said, describing the project as a passion years in the making.
While the full scope of the exhibits remains under wraps, one thing is clear: the Lucas Museum will not be a traditional movie museum. Instead, it promises to offer a wide-ranging, immersive experience centered on the power of storytelling in all its forms.
