Comic-Con fans in San Diego gave a warm, lightsaber-waving welcome to legendary filmmaker George Lucas, marking his first-ever appearance at the world-famous pop culture event.
Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, joined the final day of the convention on Sunday, drawing a massive crowd inside the 6,500-seat hall. Moderated by actress Queen Latifah, the panel featured Lucas alongside filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang.
Instead of focusing on his iconic movies, Lucas highlighted the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open in Los Angeles in 2026. Co-founded with his wife Mellody Hobson, the museum will showcase thousands of pieces from his vast personal art collection.
“I’ve been collecting art since college,” said the 81-year-old filmmaker. “I’ve been doing this for 50 years, and I can’t sell any of it—I have an emotional connection to it.”
The museum will display a wide range of works, from classical illustrations by Norman Rockwell and Jessie Willcox Smith to modern pieces by Frida Kahlo and Jacob Lawrence. It will also include comic art from legends like Jack Kirby and Winsor McCay, along with original film memorabilia.
“This is sort of a temple to the people’s art,” Lucas said, emphasizing the value of narrative art in shaping imagination and human understanding.
Del Toro praised Lucas, saying, “He leads from the heart, and this museum is him.” He added that the museum will be a powerful statement on freedom of speech and artistic expression.
Excited fans, including attendee Jesse Goldwater, called it a dream come true. “They are the soul of Comic-Con,” he said. “Without them, this event wouldn’t exist.”
