After Eight Years, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Is Finally Ready to Tell Its Story

Lucas first proposed the project 15 years ago, and construction officially began in 2018. The museum was originally slated to open in 2021, but delays from the pandemic and supply chain disruptions pushed the timeline back… twice. Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, the $1 billion project is unlike anything seen before in Los Angeles.

Early renderings, like the ones seen here, depicted a sleek, otherworldly structure rising from a tree-lined plaza—and based on recent construction photos, the spaceship has officially landed. With its curved white rooftop and a pod-like design that’s undeniably sci-fi, the building looks like it flew in from another star system entirely. Inside, visitors will find a bright, sun-filled atrium with three clear elevator tubes, two state-of-the-art theaters, a large research library, hands-on learning spaces, plus dining, retail, and sweeping rooftop views.

In a statement, Hobson described the space as “stepping into George’s brain.” And while it’s not a Star Wars museum, specifically, fans will still find plenty to love—galleries will feature artifacts from Lucas’s filmmaking career, including models, props, and costumes from the Star Wars saga and other iconic Lucas films.

Beyond the Star Wars Universe

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s collection will also include works by celebrated artists such as Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Beatrix Potter, and Frida Kahlo—as well as comic art legends Jack Kirby (Fantastic Four, X-Men), Frank Frazetta (Buck Rogers, Conan poster art), Chris Ware (Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth), and R. Crumb (Zap Comix).

Galleries will be named to reflect the human experience—Love, Family, Community, Play, Work, Sports, Childhood, Adventure, and more—and to spotlight the unifying power of storytelling. “Stories are mythology, and when illustrated, they help humans understand the mysteries of life,” he said. “The museum was built on the belief that illustrated storytelling is a universal language.”

As for the museum’s uncanny resemblance to a spacecraft? A Lucas Musem spokesperson said architect Ma Yansong designed the museum “as a sculptural, organic form shaped by light, clouds, and the surrounding tree canopy.” “Rising from Exposition Park, it feels both grounded and ethereal,” she said, “embodying the museum’s belief in imagination as a shared public resource.”

Things to Know Before You Go 

• As a new museum, it'll be jam-packed with visitors for months, so we recommend reserving your tickets and time slot online as far in advance as possible. 
• Plan for a full day, as the museum has galleries, theaters, a library, and 11 acres of gardens, walking paths, and green space to explore. 
• It's also another reason to plan a day at Exposition Park, which already houses some of LA’s best museums, including the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum. 

Find out more at lucasmuseum.org