Spielberg and Landis reunite at Lucas museum opening
A Cinematic Gathering: How George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Art Opened to Hollywood Stars
The curtain has officially risen on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a destination set to redefine how we view visual storytelling. This week marked the museum’s public opening, an event that transformed into a sprawling celebration bringing together some of the most influential minds in Hollywood.
The opening night was not just a launch; it was a collision of cinematic history. The event drew a jaw-dropping constellation of filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg and John Landis, who shared a memorable moment in a group photo alongside some of cinema’s giants. This reunion was particularly poignant, given the complicated history between the two figures stemming from their time working on films like Twilight Zone: The Movie.
The bond between Spielberg and Landis was complicated, rooted in the production of the 1983 anthology film. However, the decades separating that period and this grand celebration underscore a fascinating fact: history often brings people back together, even when there are complex chapters to revisit.
The museum itself is a treasure trove, housed in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park and boasting more than 40,000 works dedicated to celebrating visual storytelling across illustration, comics, photography, painting, and cinema. The permanent collection features iconic figures like Norman Rockwell and Frida Kahlo, alongside invaluable cinematic artifacts.
The celebration truly felt like a convergence of genius. Beyond the filmmakers, the guest list included a staggering array of names, from Christopher Nolan and Francis Ford Coppola to David Benioff, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, and Denis Villeneuve. The event demonstrated that the pursuit of narrative art transcends genre and crosses generational divides.
The museum’s commitment to the spectacle of cinema was beautifully showcased through the inaugural exhibition, Star Wars in Motion, which features authentic vehicles, props, costumes, and illustrations from the first six films of the franchise, honoring George Lucas’ immense legacy.
Mellody Hobson, who helped bring this vision to life, reflected on the museum’s mission, noting that while some might argue a museum of narrative art should feel less like a “popcorn movie” and more like a high-art experience, the pursuit of visual storytelling is ultimately universal.
George Lucas himself encapsulated this philosophy with a straightforward belief: “I believe it wholeheartedly that you get to decide what art is.”
The evening culminated in a dazzling spectacle, featuring a drone show incorporating imagery inspired by the collection—including R2-D2, Captain America, Banksy, and Frida Kahlo—narrated by Oprah Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson, followed by a vibrant performance by the Black Eyed Peas. This grand opening set an incredibly high bar for what a cultural institution can achieve.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will open its doors to the public on September 22, 2026.
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