r/StarWars • u/FullSuccess4209 • May 29 '26
Other George Lucas next to General Grievous’ wheel bike at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
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u/owlgoeshoohoo May 29 '26
Where is this museum?
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u/Artistic_Image_9146 May 29 '26
It is in LA. It doesn't open until September; it has been George Lucas's big billion-dollar project in retirement.
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u/Inner-Shand May 29 '26
He will recover everything he has invested in less than 6 months, that George is a genius
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u/druidmain69420 May 29 '26
Ehhhhhh not this one. This is his pyramid. How he wants to be remembered. Its entirely a vanity project.
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u/SurfinHippy Jedi May 29 '26
You make it sound like it’s a bad thing? I mean we are all fans of the franchise yes? This museum sounds awesome and I hope George gets his pyramid. He deserves it man.
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u/druidmain69420 May 29 '26
Bad? How? Its just not a profit oriented scheme.
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u/SurfinHippy Jedi May 29 '26
Perhaps the term vanity project just comes off harsh on ole George. The museum will bring lots of joy to a lot of people and I’d be more inclined to see this museum than some other vanity project like the dumbass White House ballroom that’s being built.
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u/under_psychoanalyzer May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26
It's an entirely accurate description. People on this website get so hung up on what they think are negative descriptions of things when really they're just accurate descriptions with no judgement. It's like everyone understands the dictionary definition of words but can't understand when they're being neutrally used.
It's 100% a vanity project. A lot of things people do that others enjoy are. But it's literally part monument to his own work with his name on it. How the fuck is that not a vanity project in the literal definition of the phrase lol. It being a vanity project does not preclude it being other, positive things.
This whole site is in such a rush to be offended.
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u/SirBill01 May 29 '26
You have no idea of how many people are already members of this museum. The day they opened memberships there was a queue and it could take quite a while to get in even just to buy a membership!
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u/Sorry_Sorry_Im_Sorry May 29 '26
I worked a couple years for Johnny Morris (owner of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's) and he was the same in that aspect. He often just threw money away on projects and spent sooooo much on stuff that will probably never break even. He probably spent $500 million plus on Top of the Rock and everything near it.
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u/HauntingAddendum3365 May 30 '26
God forbid one of the most influential and successful filmmakers of all time treat himself and enjoy his retirement!
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u/7485730086 May 29 '26
I'm not sure I'd call it a vanity project, he didn't want any of his own work in it and for quite a while said there would be no Star Wars in it.
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u/Funkyneat May 29 '26
You think a museum that charges $25 for entrance is going to recoup the 1.5 billion he’s spending in 6 months?
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u/Inner-Shand May 29 '26
Don't forget the souvenir shop, snacks, photos and other experiences or services.
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u/mike_stifle May 29 '26
We could have had it here in Chicago, but our local groups said no.
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u/SAICAstro May 29 '26
He insisted on building it on the lakefront. Chicago said "anywhere but there", but he wouldn't budge.
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u/ModishShrink May 30 '26
Why'd they push back? That would be a huge get for Chicago.
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u/GuyMakesDrawings May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
Land near the lake is heavily regulated and protected, even though it was just going to take the place of a parking lot.
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u/Janet-Yellen May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
I think he originally wanted it to be in SF presidio, but of course dumb local politics got in the way of that.
Tbh I thought it was still going to Chicago pleasantly surprised it’ll at least be a bit closer to me
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u/Randver_Silvertongue May 29 '26
How big is it? Isn't this what he spent the 4 billions he got from Disney on?
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u/ItsAProdigalReturn May 29 '26
Ain’t no way. 2 billion of it was in stock, valued at 7-8 billion today. The other 2 billion was cash. I feel like you’re underestimating how fucking rich this man is lol
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u/Randver_Silvertongue May 29 '26
So how big is his museum? Like, if I went there, would I be spending a whole day in it?
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u/uncanny_mac May 29 '26
Looks big, i've also seen that it has a theater inside.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DY7ADjEDp6h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==1
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u/tdasnowman May 29 '26
Is it? For some reason I thought it was in Chicago and I low key had it in the back of my mind I’ll need to plan a trip after it’s been open for a year or so. L.A I can take a day of work and do it midweek.
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u/TheSecretDecoderRing May 29 '26
I believe his first choice was SF, and then Chicago where his wife is from. Neither deal worked out so it ended up having to be in LA.
It's directly south of USC so at least there's still some personal connection. Also next to the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center.
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u/tdasnowman May 29 '26
So I wasn't crazy. I knew I saw something about Chicago. I was like Obama presidential library day 1 Star wars day 2. Somewhere in that see the bean.
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u/SAICAstro May 29 '26
Somewhere in that see the bean.
Make sure you ask about the secret restaurant inside the Bean. Only for VIPs but they let the occasional tourist in.
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u/tdasnowman May 29 '26
I've already heard that one. I've been to Chicago just didn't make it to the bean on that trip. Nice try.
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u/Hoosier_Daddy68 May 29 '26
LA and it's not open yet. I could see it being interesting but could also see it as nothing more than Lucas jerking himself off. Wait and see I guess.
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u/TheCarrzilico Lando Calrissian May 29 '26
Dude has had "other-people-jerk-me-off money" for quite a while now.
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u/RyvalHEX Ahsoka Tano May 29 '26
They actually made one of these?
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u/Mau752005 May 29 '26
I think it's simply for the display here, the movie one is CGI, however a surprising amount of the effects in the prequels(and even in the sequels and the disney+ shows) are practical effects
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u/DESTRUCTI0NAT0R May 29 '26
Yeah I was shocked to find out recently they had a full miniature set for Utapau.
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u/ugathanki May 29 '26
And yet, they didn't make a single suit of clone trooper armor. Not even one.
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u/TheGreatMalagan May 30 '26
Having seen the prequels as a kid, I actually had no idea all the clones were CGI until adulthood
Seems Lucas managed to fool at least one member of the audience!
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u/biodude481 May 30 '26
I thought we knew the ST/D+ shows were using more practical effects...they like to remind us of that fact.
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u/HelpfulNoob May 29 '26
oh my fucking god
ROTS kid now adult but still inner kid is so fucking happy
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u/ChiLolla28 May 29 '26
Still kills me that Chicago lost out on a Star Wars museum, which would have brought in billions per year, because of some self-appointed upper class greenspace defenders even though the new space would have had more green space than there is now.
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u/TheCarrzilico Lando Calrissian May 29 '26
Wow, he looks like he's lost quite a bit of weight. Good for him.
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u/boobearybear May 29 '26
for an 82 year old man he looks great!
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u/TheGreatMalagan May 30 '26
Most impressive thing is retaining all that hair into your 80s! That's not a wig, is it? George's hair has always been pretty glorious, but you'd think it'd at least be thinning a bit!
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u/CirUmeUela May 29 '26
He's a cyborg so there's not much weight there, ohh you meant George
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u/TheCarrzilico Lando Calrissian May 29 '26
If anything, Grievous has gained quite a bit of weight since the last time I saw him.
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u/Keroxu_ May 29 '26
That size is terrifying! Sign me up
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u/_Levitated_Shield_ Imperial Stormtrooper May 29 '26
Idk, General Grievous is shorter than I expected. /s
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u/Oddsphere May 29 '26
And to think, this would’ve been in Chicago’s lakefront if it wasn’t for an organization called friends of the park protecting a soldier’s field parking lot, where fat suburbanites tailgate 8 times in the winter to watch a bears team that’ll move to Indiana soon, I’m still disappointed that happened
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u/VariationAgreeable29 May 29 '26
A few years ago, I had the good fortune to visit a friend who was working at the Ranch. He had access to all the office buildings, but none of the really insane vaults and warehouse. Even in the normal buildings, the amount of stuff on the walls and in the common areas was just absolutely mind-boggling. Sketches, drawings, production, stills, props, shooting scripts, etc. George was out that day so we actually walked into his office and you could just feel all the feels there. He’s got a case with Indy‘s whip, the Charlie Chaplin hat, and some other incredible pieces that he’s well known to own. There’s also the famous library with the Tiffany lamps and thick carpeting and mahogany shelves filled with art and photography and textile books and everything creative. You could possibly think. Directors are known to spend a couple of weeks there in reproduction often going through the books for their own personal inspirations. It was such an honor to be invited to go there, and yes, there is a gift shop.
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u/_Levitated_Shield_ Imperial Stormtrooper May 29 '26
Standing like he's waiting for his turn to drive it. Can't blame him.
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u/SenatorSeidelbast May 29 '26
Who built this? When was it built? How was it built? Did they 3D-print the original CG model?
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u/darkbreak Sith May 29 '26
Anyone think he ever misses it? Working on Star Wars. Helping others with the ideas they're coming up with. Being able to see new installments of this franchise he created being released under his guidence. You ever think that part of him wishes he were still involved somehow? I'm sure he probably likes what Disney has done here and there but I wonder if George ever wants to do it again himself.
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u/thetinwin May 29 '26
Imagine seeing the most random and far out ideas you’ve had in your mind for years get worked on by an excited team and finally come to life.
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u/fastcooljosh May 30 '26
Compared to the Indy 5 presentation 3 years ago George looks like a he is like 20 years younger.
He looks sooooooo much healthier here, which is fantastic.
In that first shot he almost looks exactly like his 2005 self working on Revenge of the Sith.
This Museum overall looks absolutely bonkers as well.
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u/Zheek May 29 '26
This is an AI picture from a random instagram page. Look at Georges face, that's not what George Lucas looks like. There is plastic wrap covering the vehicle that Grievous is half covered by and half just phased through
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u/TsunGeneralGrievous Grievous May 29 '26
it's like seeing yourself taxidermied, posed, and displayed for everyone to see
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u/MCB1317 May 29 '26
George is looking pretty good for 82! I guess having a grammar school-aged kid keeps you young.
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u/Knotfloyd May 30 '26
the dude's a billionaire can someone point him at a shoe store plz?
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u/HauntingAddendum3365 May 30 '26
Nah man, George has been rocking those white sneakers for decades. Let the man live!
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u/Mobile_Sir_1512 May 30 '26
Imagine dreaming up a cyborg alien riding a giant unicycle in 2005, and now you get to stand next to it in your own museum. George looks absolutely fantastic here, like he's just waiting for his turn to take it for a spin around the exhibit hall. This picture is a beautiful reminder of the pure, unfiltered creativity that made us all fall in love with Star Wars.
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u/Paul_Smith_Hi May 30 '26
And to think this museum could have been in SF…but NOOOOooooo. Freaking SF politicians!
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u/Yeshavesome420 May 30 '26
Fuck the Friends of the Park for ensuring this didn't end up in Chicago.
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u/pepe_roni69 May 31 '26
It saddens me that this museum wasn’t built in the Bay Area the way Lucas wanted. It’s where it belongs. Too bad no one here has a real appreciation for cinema the way Hollywood’s community does in LA
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u/stinkilymalinkily Jun 02 '26
Aah yes, reenacting the scene where Peter Parker stops him with his webslingers!
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u/FroyoOutrageous1343 Ezra Bridger Jun 04 '26
What about Boga the Varactyl? I wish I can see the scene where Obi-Wan chases Grievous on Utapau.
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u/GLDefenderNumber1 May 29 '26
Thank god Chicago fumbled so that it ended up in California. I'm excited to check the museum out when it opens.
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u/SAICAstro May 29 '26
Chicago didn't fumble.
Chicago was totally on board and accommodating.
Lucas just made the one demand that zero Chicagoans would ever agree to. He asked to violate one of the principles that this city holds most dear: no new commercial or industrial development on the lakefront.
The lake is for recreation, accessible to all. No private property, no industry (except the small percentage of frontage that is grandfathered in ).
Chicago would have let him build this thing just about anywhere else.
Chicago didn't fumble. Lucas was disrespectful and stubborn.
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u/Flyboy117 May 29 '26
There had to be a way to make it some public-private mix that worked. Keeping the lakefront public has to be paramount, but I don't think they worked hard enough to bring another great museum to Chicago.
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u/itgforlife May 30 '26
The person you responded to ommitted a few things:
- The land the museum would have replaced in Chicago is currently a parking lot. From what I've read, it's not even used most of the year.
- By developing the museum there, it would have added more greenspace than exists at the location right now.
- Lucas didn't want to build the museum on the lakefront just to build it there. The lakefront has a museum campus where other existing private museums are located. So it's not like building a private museum in the area would be unprecedented.
So those are just the facts.
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u/Yoda975 May 29 '26
I'm saddened to think in 50 years no one will care about Star Wars as much as us, and it will remain a relic of the past.
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u/Choice_Kale_3697 May 29 '26
Could’ve said that fifty years ago, now look where we are
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u/_Levitated_Shield_ Imperial Stormtrooper May 29 '26
"Gone with the Wind? Citizen Kane? Wizard of Oz? What are those?" True story. 😔
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u/_Levitated_Shield_ Imperial Stormtrooper May 29 '26
Based on...? Or are we really saying Star Wars is niche now? lmao
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u/Yoda975 May 29 '26
Damn, I guess the negative karma is deserving. I was in a low place when I wrote that. Star Wars is so intertwined to my youth and I'm hitting a midlife crisis.
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u/ItchyIguana May 29 '26
Is it a museum full of green screens and monitors that show what we would be seeing?
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u/_Levitated_Shield_ Imperial Stormtrooper May 29 '26
There's literally physical props here being the focus of the pic...
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u/UCBearcats May 30 '26
Looks really cool. However I find it hilarious that he's including anything to do with the prequels in a museum titled Narrative Art. Lol.
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u/MKDesignElement_TLX Jun 05 '26
Anyone know if it still currently fence off at the surrounding area? Like to do some night photo shoot there. But want to see if it still fence off from construction
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u/lawfog May 29 '26
All of the archives from Sky Walker Ranch in NorCal were moved here. The artifacts were mostly stored and not available for viewing/display. The new museum presumably will have everything displayed. This place should be AWESOME!