George Lucas has embraced a new chapter in his life, moving past the iconic Star Wars franchise he created. In a recent interview with WSJ. Magazine for their Innovators issue, Lucas, now 81, reflected on his journey since selling Star Wars to Disney in 2012 for a staggering $4.05 billion. He emphasized that he is now focused on an ambitious project of opening the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, set to welcome visitors next year.
Lucas expressed his thoughts on the Star Wars franchise, stating, “Disney took it over and they gave it their vision. That’s what happens.” He affirmed his emotional detachment, saying, “Of course I’ve moved past it. I mean, I’ve got a life. I’m building a museum. A museum is harder than making movies.”
Since the sale, Disney has expanded the Star Wars universe, producing multiple films and television series, including new content for the Disney+ platform. The franchise will return to theater screens with next year’s release of The Mandalorian featuring Grogu, marking the first new film since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
As part of his museum, one of the inaugural exhibits will showcase design elements from the Star Wars franchise. Lucas humorously remarked, “It’s one gallery out of 33. And I did it grudgingly. I didn’t want people to come to the museum and say, ‘Where’s the Star Wars?’”
The genesis of this museum began in 2018, and it will feature a diverse collection, ranging from American art to African American works, spotlighting the importance of narrative art in various forms. At a recent Comic-Con appearance, Lucas described the museum as “sort of a temple to the people’s art,” underscoring his commitment to making this institution a vital cultural hub.
Lucas, who has been married to businesswoman Mellody Hobson since 2013, has also committed himself to family life. Together, they share a daughter, Everest, born in 2012, while Lucas has three other children from previous relationships. His venture into museum creation represents not just a personal evolution, but a dedication to sharing and celebrating artistic narratives with the community.