Imagine walking into a brand-new, state-of-the-art museum, only to find not a single trace of the galaxy far, far away. Would fans riot if George Lucas’s highly anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art completely snubbed Star Wars? It’s a bold move Lucas is determined to make—insisting his museum isn’t a Star Wars shrine—but even he knows the optics are risky. After all, who could resist the temptation to include at least something from the franchise that defined his legacy?
In a recent Wall Street Journal interview, Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, revealed the museum’s ambitious scope: a celebration of storytelling across millennia, from Stone Age cave paintings to futuristic fantasies. Among its 40,000-plus pieces are 160 works by Norman Rockwell, whose depictions of American life Lucas hails as the pinnacle of narrative art. The galleries are thoughtfully organized around universal themes like family, love, work, and play, exploring the myths and stories that unite humanity. But here’s where it gets controversial: While Lucas claims the museum isn’t about Star Wars, he’s quietly included one gallery out of 33 dedicated to the franchise—specifically, the designs of its iconic vehicles. “I did it grudgingly,” he admitted, clearly aware of the tightrope he’s walking. “I didn’t want people to come and say, ‘Where’s the Star Wars?’”
And this is the part most people miss: Lucas isn’t just a filmmaker; he’s the museum’s curator. Earlier this year, the hired museum director stepped down after Lucas decided to take the reins himself. Is this a vanity project, or a genuine celebration of storytelling? Critics might argue it’s a bit of both, especially with a life-size Naboo Starfighter among the exhibits. But Lucas’s reluctance to lean heavily on Star Wars suggests he’s trying to prove there’s more to his vision than lightsabers and Jedi.
Still, the question lingers: Can a museum built on Lucas’s fortune and fame truly escape the shadow of his most famous creation? Or is Star Wars simply too integral to his identity—and ours—to ignore? The museum’s official website (https://www.lucasmuseum.org/) teases a 2026 opening, but one thing’s certain: whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this museum will spark debates for years to come. What do you think? Is Lucas right to limit Star Wars’s presence, or should he embrace the franchise that made him a legend? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation that’s just getting started.
