The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts at SDCC

(L-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)
 

I'm sorry I missed this panel, but I received an invitation to interview some great folks from Hollywood. Doing that, and attending their panel, took up most of my final day at San Diego Comic-Con. But that's the great thing about SDCC: there's always so much to do! Here's all the info from today's panel on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art:

 

 

 

Today at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, George Lucas offered an exclusive look at and new details about the highly anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open in 2026 in Los Angeles. Joined onstage in Hall H by Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and legendary artist and production designer Doug Chiang, and moderated by iconic artist, actress, and producer Queen Latifah, the panel marked one of the most talked about and widely attended sessions in Comic-Con history, drawing over 6,000 on the final day of the convention. 

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be the world’s first institution dedicated to the exploration of narrative art, celebrating illustrated storytelling across eras and cultures, from ancient cave drawings and children’s book illustrations to comic books and digital media.  

Opening the panel, Lucas shared his passion for collecting narrative art over five decades: “Society cannot exist without a common belief system. And that’s where illustration is vital to show you what that means in everyday life,” Lucas stated, emphasizing how the museum “is a temple to the people’s art.”  

 

 

Del Toro, a Lucas Museum board member and celebrated champion of visual storytelling, spoke to the emotional depth and social power of narrative art. "Imagine if we only had classical music, and rock-n-roll was never created? This is rock-n-roll and rock-n-roll needs to be enshrined,” del Toro said, drawing parallels between the museum’s eclectic collection and the panel’s genre-defying filmography.  

 

 

Doug Chiang, Lucasfilm’s Senior Vice President and Executive Design Director, provided a fascinating testament to the importance of exposing young people to comic art and illustration. Said Chiang, “Comic art and magazine illustration were kind of looked down upon...but it was a way for me to enjoy art, and it invited me to learn more about art. And what I love about what George and Mellody are doing with this museum is they are acknowledging and giving respect to artists who really haven’t been highlighted before.” 

 

 

Moderator Queen Latifah expertly navigated the discussion, and brought humor, insight, and personal reflection to the panel. With a deep appreciation for comics and visual culture, she linked the panelists' creative journeys to the emotional power of storytelling: “The connection that I hear in our various conversations is emotion—an emotional connection that the art evokes from you. That's one of the most important things to never forget. I think when people step into this museum, they will be emotionally affected by it.” 

During the panel, Latifah also mentioned some of the other art in the collection, including the first-ever Flash Gordon comic strip, an original splash page from Black Panther (1968), and original Peanuts strips from the 1950s and ’60s, among many others. 

 

 

The panel concluded with a standing ovation, a testament to the audiences' anticipation for this first-of-its-kind cultural institution.  

In advance of the museum’s launch, the public are encouraged to sign up to be the first to hear about exclusive opportunities with the Lucas Museum at lucasmuseum.org/join-us.  

 

About the Lucas Museum  

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes illustrated stories connect us and reflect the shared beliefs that create community. Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and set to open in Los Angeles in 2026, the museum has a collection with rich holdings of works by illustrators including Norman Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith, Kadir Nelson, Beatrix Potter, Maxfield Parrish, and N. C. Wyeth; comic artists including Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta, George Herriman, Jack Kirby, Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, and R. Crumb; and much more. Additionally, the museum is the holder of the Lucas Archive, which includes props, models, concept art, costumes, and more, that span the full extent of Lucas’s filmmaking.  

The building is designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD with assistance from US-based architecture firm Stantec. It sits in Los Angeles's Exposition Park on an 11-acre campus that includes expansive new green space designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. The 300,000-square-foot structure will feature galleries, two theaters, a retail store, a library, a café, a restaurant, as well as event spaces. lucasmuseum.org  

 

For more, see my previous post: George Lucas introduces his Museum of Narrative Art at SDCC

 

Thanks to Lucas Museum Press for sharing this announcement with us. 

 

 

 

 

 

George Lucas introduces his Museum of Narrative Art at SDCC

 

After I saw Star Wars in the theater in 1977, everything was different. It changed the course of my life. His movie introduced me to comics. Now, George Lucas is charting a new chapter of his life by opening a museum celebrating the power of art. Here's all the info:   Comic-Con® International Welcomes George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro, and Doug Chiang for a Conversation Moderated by Queen Latifah

Panel Explores the Power of Illustrated Storytelling and Offers Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Legendary filmmaker George Lucas to make Comic-Con International appearance alongside Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and Academy Award-winning artist Doug Chiang on Sunday, July 27, in Hall H. The panel, titled Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, will be moderated by Queen Latifah, the Grammy-, Emmy-, and Golden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated artist and longtime fan of fantasy and pop culture. The panel of iconic creators will discuss the power of illustrated stories and the role of narrative art in society. From ancient cave drawings and hieroglyphics to paintings, murals, illustrations, comics, digital media, and sculptures, this panel will delve into the universal language of illustrated storytelling. David Glanzer, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer of Comic-Con, said: “We are beyond thrilled to welcome George Lucas to Comic-Con for the very first time. Nearly five decades ago, Star Wars made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring Howard Chaykin’s now legendary Star Wars poster as a promotional item. Now, to have Mr. Lucas return—this time to debut the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art—is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning." Panelists George Lucas As co-founder of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, George Lucas brings more than six decades of storytelling, collecting, and cultural influence to the panel. Lucas’s devotion to timeless storytelling and cutting-edge innovation has resulted in some of the most successful and beloved films of all time. In addition to his innovative work as a filmmaker, Lucas has assembled one of the world’s most significant collections of narrative art, from original comic book panels and magazine and book illustrations to paintings, photography, and cinematic artifacts. The museum embodies his long-standing mission to explore how visual storytelling connects people, shapes culture, and captures the human experience.       Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro is among the most creative and visionary artists of his generation, whose distinctive style is showcased through his work as a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and author. Renowned for his blend of dark fantasy and visually rich narratives, Guillermo del Toro is the Oscar-winning director behind Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Pinocchio. A passionate collector of monster memorabilia, rare books, and macabre illustration, del Toro shares Lucas’s dedication to preserving the stories that shape us. He also serves on the Lucas Museum’s Board of Directors.        Doug Chiang An Academy Award-winning artist, author, and production designer, Doug Chiang has shaped the iconic look and feel of the Star Wars universe for decades. In 1995, George Lucas personally selected Chiang to lead the art department of the Star Wars prequel films, and Chiang’s visionary concepts and production designs have been instrumental in crafting worlds, characters, and vehicles across films, theme parks, games, and live-action series. His ability to turn narrative into visual language has shaped how audiences experience modern mythologies. Moderator Queen Latifah Bringing charisma, cultural insight, and personal passion to the moderator’s seat, Queen Latifah shares a belief in the power of stories to unite and inspire. Her deep appreciation for storytelling ensures a vibrant and insightful discussion. Queen Latifah is a Grammy-, Emmy-, and Golden Globe-winning musician, critically acclaimed television and Oscar-nominated film actress, producer, record label president, author, and entrepreneur. Most recently, she executive produced and starred in the CBS hit series The Equalizer. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nomination for her portrayal of Mama Morton in the feature musical Chicago. Additional films include Jungle Fever, Set It Off, Living Out Loud, Bringing Down the House, The Secret Life of Bees, Hairspray, Mad Money, Just Wright, Joyful Noise, The Last Holiday, and Beauty Shop. Recognition for Queen Latifah’s recording artistry includes six Grammy Award nominations, as well as a win for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994.      About the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opening in 2026, 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; and 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.

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA and Stantec as executive architect, the museum will be located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.

Stay Connected

In advance of the museum’s opening, the public is encouraged to sign up for exclusive news and access at lucasmuseum.org and follow the museum on Instagram, Facebook, and X. 

 

Thanks to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art for sharing this announcement with us.