George Lucas: Beyond Star Wars – A New Artistic Legacy
George Lucas, the legendary architect of the Star Wars universe, has unequivocally declared he’s moved beyond the iconic franchise he sold to Disney 13 years ago. At 81, the acclaimed filmmaker is channeling his boundless creative energy into an ambitious new venture: the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, slated to open its doors next year. As he candidly shared in a recent interview with WSJ. Magazine, the monumental task of bringing this cultural institution to life presents a challenge even greater than his cinematic masterpieces.
The watershed moment arrived in October 2012 when Lucasfilm, and with it the global phenomenon that is Star Wars, was acquired by The Walt Disney Company for a staggering $4.05 billion. This sale marked a pivotal transition, ceding control of a saga Lucas had meticulously crafted over decades. “Disney took it over and they gave it their vision. That’s what happens,” Lucas reflected, acknowledging the new direction the franchise has taken under its current stewards. Indeed, since the acquisition, Disney has significantly expanded the Star Wars canon, releasing several new films, including 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, and a burgeoning array of television series on Disney+, with The Mandalorian and Grogu set to hit the big screen next year.
For Lucas, however, life post-Star Wars is not about revisiting past glories but forging new legacies. “Of course I’ve moved past it. I mean, I’ve got a life,” he stated, adding a compelling comparison that underscores his current dedication: “I’m building a museum. A museum is harder than making movies.”
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: A Temple to Visual Storytelling
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a sprawling 11-acre campus, officially broke ground in 2018. This ambitious project, spearheaded by Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson, is designed as “a temple to the people’s art,” as Lucas described it during his inaugural appearance at Comic-Con in July. The museum’s mission is to celebrate visual storytelling in all its forms, housing a diverse and expansive collection that spans American art, popular illustrative, comic, cinematic, and animation art, alongside significant contemporary African American works.
Despite his forward-looking perspective, Lucas understands the enduring allure of his most famous creation. He revealed that one gallery, among the museum’s 33 inaugural exhibits, will feature designs for various Star Wars vehicles. “It’s one gallery out of 33. And I did it grudgingly,” Lucas admitted with a laugh, explaining his rationale: “I didn’t want people to come to the museum and say, ‘Where’s the Star Wars?’ ” This inclusion serves as a playful acknowledgment of his cinematic past, even as he firmly plants his focus on the future of art and narrative.
A Rich Personal Life and Enduring Legacy
Beyond his creative endeavors, Lucas enjoys a rich personal life. He married Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments, in 2013. Together, they welcomed their daughter Everest in 2012. Lucas is also a father to three adult children from previous relationships: daughters Amanda, 44, Katie, 37, and son Jeff, 32. His dedication to the museum, a project close to his heart and shared with his family, symbolizes a profound shift from blockbuster filmmaking to the profound impact of narrative art on society. As the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art prepares for its grand opening, it stands as a testament to the enduring vision of a man who continues to shape cultural landscapes, both on and off the screen.
