New George Lucas museum in LA gives sci-fi fans glimpse behind the cinematic empire

There’ll be plenty of space at LA’s soon-to-launch Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.The 300,000-square-foot architectural marvel will first welcome the public to its Exposition Park campus on Sept.22 — but a sneak peak inside the spaceship-style building, built to showcase the art collection of George Lucas, reveals plenty of treats in store for lovers of the Hollywood legend’s own, world-famous work of art: Star Wars.

The fun for fans begins right upon entering the museum — where sci-fi followers will recognize the massive yellow Naboo N-1 Starfighter jet from 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.”The museum will open with an exhibit that tells the Star Wars story — showing versions of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder from the first, 1970s film, and speeder bikes from 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”But don’t confuse the museum as a shrine to the films, officials say.Museum CEO Tracey Bates told the Associated Press that only around 7% of the museum is dedicated to Star Wars.

The rest are pieces of Lucas’ and wife Mellody Hobson’s sizable personal art collection.Lucas is a prolific collector of comic art — as well as the work of commercial artists including Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish, which can be found among the museum’s halls.The museum has an entire gallery dedicated to Rockwell, the 20th century painter whose imagery is synonymous with Americana.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story The museum’s galleries are organized by aspects of daily lives, including sports and civic activism.“We’re interested in the stories that they’re telling, rather than these kind of somewhat artificial categories defined by discipline,” Linkof told AP.

“The gorgeous idea of these myths, myths of every...