The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Exposition Park will open its doors to visitors on Sept. 22, according to a preview obtained by LAist.
Designed by architect Ma Yansong in collaboration with the firm Stantec, the 300,000-square-foot building draws visual cues from the Star Wars universe.
At the entrance stands a full-scale Naboo Starfighter containing a life-size R2-D2 figure, while additional displays feature production designs from Industrial Light and Magic and Skywalker Sound.
The museum extends beyond cinema to emphasize illustration and storytelling across media, including an E.H. Shepherd drawing from Winnie the Pooh, a 1894 "dogs playing poker" canvas originally created for a whiskey advertisement, and works by Ernie Barnes, Dorothea Lange and Rafael Navarro.
George Lucas remarked at the preview event that most stories are myths yet illustrations render them tangible, adding that powerful pictures and narratives together shape society.
Further highlights include reproductions of Diego Rivera murals, pieces by Banksy, a seated video presentation of Judith Baca's Great Wall of L.A., and outdoor sculptures such as Jabba the Hutt and Princess Leia on grounds converted from a former parking lot. Senior curator Ryan Linkof noted that the public park and research library remain accessible to the community regardless of museum hours.
This report is based on coverage by LAist: https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-activities/lucas-museum-sneak-peek