By Victor Van Scoit
You lost a lot of money on Polymarket if you bet on the number of times Star Wars would be mentioned at the Inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts panel. It turns out you can talk about George Lucas for an hour without ever mentioning Star Wars. And that’s a good thing.
Keke Palmer continues to show why she’s an energetic force by bringing her love of story into how she moderated the panel, which included Ryan Linkof (senior curator), Seth Green and Matthew Senreich (Stoopid Buddy Stoodios), and Jim Lee (DC president, publisher, and CCO).
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts is set to open September 22nd of this year. The crowd was treated to footage that previewed this massive architectural structure based in Chicago. Looking like a galactic cruiser, the museum has over 100,000 square feet of gallery space, two state-of-the-art cinematic theaters, 33 exhibition spaces, and a public park.
Linkof explained that the space is deliberately designed to have a sense of discovery, and to allow for people to get lost in the structure. That sentiment was echoed by Senreich because for him art is something that tells a story. “And there’s so much to get lost in at this museum. A museum for me.”
This museum feels like a modern cathedral to stories. One that elevates, validates, and reflects the creators and admirers of what Lucas calls “the people’s art.” Palmer noted it best, saying, “A story is being told at every level. Including architecture.”
Taking a break from roaming a stage snapping pics with a disposable camera, Green was pleased people will get to see another side of George Lucas as a fan and collector who is a steward of this popular culture we love and grew up with.
Lee expressed how important it is to have this art displayed with reverence, “because you will experience something familiar as something new,” and appreciate the process required to create powerful stories.
One highlight was a video that focused on the rebels and innovators of the narrative arts. Quick flashes and cuts of creators and their work through history. It felt emotionally reminiscent of Apple’s iconic “Here’s to the Crazy Ones” ad from 1997.
Lee made one thing clear. He’s not a fan of AI because it removes the artist. By this museum focusing on the creative process as art, it shows how an artist serves as a prism for reality. “Art is critical to civilization,” he said. “Art is self-expression. If you want the best art you need to allow for self-expression.”
This truly feels like a place made for the people who love stories and the art it creates. Green summed it up best:
“How lucky are we?”
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ‘26.
The article suggests that the Museum of Narrative Art is in Chicago, but it’s in Los Angeles. Chicago was one of the original locations scouted, but they landed on LA, not far from his USC alma mater.