SDCC ’25: George Lucas FINALLY comes to Comic-Con

Legendary filmmaker and creator of the Star Wars franchise, George Lucas, is set to FINALLY make an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, joining Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and renowned artist Doug Chiang (known for shaping the look of Star Wars as we know it) on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Hall H.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome George Lucas to Comic-Con for the very first time,” David Glanzer, Comic-Con’s chief of communications and strategy, said in a statement in the press release. “Nearly five decades ago, Star Wars made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring Howard Chaykin’s now legendary Star Wars poster as a promotional item. Now, to have Mr. Lucas return — this time to debut the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning.”

The exciting panel from the Lucas Museum, titled “Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art,” will be moderated by the multifaceted Queen Latifah, a Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner, as well as an Academy Award nominee and a dedicated fan of fantasy and pop culture. The panel will feature a conversation with these iconic Star Wars creators, who will be exploring the profound impact of illustrated stories on humanity, as well as the significance of narrative art in our society—from ancient cave drawings and hieroglyphics to modern paintings, comics, digital media, and sculptures, this panel promises to uncover the universal language that connects us all through illustrated storytelling.

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD, with landscapes crafted by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA and the executive architect Stantec, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s 11-acre campus will be situated in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California. Opening its doors in 2026, the campus will include galleries, two theaters, a library, a restaurant, a café, a retail store, and various community spaces. Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum boasts an impressive collection that includes works from renowned artists like Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judy Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish. Additionally, it pays homage to comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, and R. Crumb, along with iconic photographers like Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The museum is also home to the Lucas Archive, which features an array of models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s illustrious filmmaking career.

Panelists

Photo Credit: George Lucas, photo by Jamel Toppin, courtesy of Skywalker Properties Ltd; Guillermo del Toro, photo by Austin Hargrove; Doug Chiang, photo by Lucasfilm; Queen Latifah, photo by Cass Bird/Good American

Learn more about the panelists below (all information is taken from the press release):

George Lucas
As co-founder of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, George Lucas brings more than six decades of storytelling, collecting, and cultural influence to the panel. Lucas’s devotion to timeless storytelling and cutting-edge innovation has resulted in some of the most successful and beloved films of all time. In addition to his innovative work as a filmmaker, Lucas has assembled one of the world’s most significant collections of narrative art, from original comic book panels and magazine and book illustrations to paintings, photography, and cinematic artifacts. The museum embodies his long-standing mission to explore how visual storytelling connects people, shapes culture, and captures the human experience.

Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro is among the most creative and visionary artists of his generation, whose distinctive style is showcased through his work as a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and author. Renowned for his blend of dark fantasy and visually rich narratives, Guillermo del Toro is the Oscar-winning director behind Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Pinocchio. A passionate collector of monster memorabilia, rare books, and macabre illustration, del Toro shares Lucas’s dedication to preserving the stories that shape us. He also serves on the Lucas Museum’s Board of Directors.

Doug Chiang
An Academy Award-winning artist, author, and production designer, Doug Chiang has shaped the iconic look and feel of the Star Wars universe for decades. In 1995, George Lucas personally selected Chiang to lead the art department of the Star Wars prequel films, and Chiang’s visionary concepts and production designs have been instrumental in crafting worlds, characters, and vehicles across films, theme parks, games, and live-action series. His ability to turn narrative into visual language has shaped how audiences experience modern mythologies.

Moderator

Queen Latifah
Bringing charisma, cultural insight, and personal passion to the moderator’s seat, Queen Latifah shares a belief in the power of stories to unite and inspire. Her deep appreciation for storytelling ensures a vibrant and insightful discussion. Queen Latifah is a Grammy-, Emmy-, and Golden Globe-winning musician, critically acclaimed television and Oscar-nominated film actress, producer, record label president, author, and entrepreneur. Most recently, she executive produced and starred in the CBS hit series The Equalizer. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nomination for her portrayal of Mama Morton in the feature musical Chicago. Additional films include Jungle Fever, Set It Off, Living Out Loud, Bringing Down the House, The Secret Life of Bees, Hairspray, Mad Money, Just Wright, Joyful Noise, The Last Holiday, and Beauty Shop. Recognition for Queen Latifah’s recording artistry includes six Grammy Award nominations, as well as a win for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994.

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