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Kuwait Times
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
George Lucas brings the force to Comic-Con in historic first visit
Comic-Con fans pulled out their lightsabers Sunday to welcome 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas to the prominent pop culture convention for the very first time. Attendees lined up for hours to grab a seat inside the 6,500-person capacity venue in San Diego, California to see the legendary filmmaker behind the 'Indiana Jones' franchise speak at the event on its final day. Comic-Con, which draws some 130,000 attendees, has become an important platform for movie studios and their stars to showcase the latest film and television offerings, especially those with a genre fan base. 'We've been waiting five decades for this!' said panel moderator Queen Latifah, who oversaw the discussion by Lucas and other filmmakers. Instead of discussing his film works, however, Lucas graced the convention to preview the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art -- opening in Los Angeles in 2026 -- which the director co-founded with his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson. 'I've been collecting art since I was in college,' Lucas, 81, told the crowd, adding that he has amassed tens of thousands of pieces in his collection. 'I've been doing this for 50 years now, and then it occurred to me that what am I going to do with it all because I, I refuse to sell it. 'I could never do that, it's just, it's not what I think art is -- I think it's more about an emotional connection,' the director said. In his description of the museum, Lucas said the institution will feature a blend of works. US actress/singer Queen Latifah speaks at the Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel in Hall H of the convention center during Comic Con International in San Diego. US filmmaker George Lucas speaks during the Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel in Hall H of the convention center during Comic Con International in San Diego. They include illustrations by Normal Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith and N.C. Wyeth; artworks by Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White and Robert Colescott; and pieces by cartoonists and artists like Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta and Jack Kirby. 'This is sort of a temple to the people's art,' he said in summation. The museum, housed in a sleek, curved building, will also feature items from Lucas's films and other exclusive pieces. For the 'Star Wars' mastermind, the museum aims to be a tribute to the importance of narrative art. 'When you're born, the baseline is fear. And as you go through life, you're curious about things, but you're especially curious about things you don't understand, and therefore that's a threat to you. 'And as a result, you make up stories to make it feel good,' he continued. 'Science fiction is a myth... but we've made it real because of science fiction books and art.' 'A critical moment' Among the other members of the panel were Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro and production designer Doug Chiang, who shaped the aesthetic of the 'Star Wars' universe for decades. 'What's remarkable about George is that he leads from the heart, and this museum is him,' Chiang said. Del Toro, who will release his latest film 'Frankenstein' in November, said many of the museum's pieces will celebrate freedom of speech. 'We are in a critical moment in which one of the things they like to disappear is the past, you know, and this is memorializing a popular, vociferous, expressive and eloquent moment in our visual past that belongs to all of us,' Del Toro said. The fantasy filmmaker also described comics as a medium with 'a lot of social conscience' and joked that comic artists 'were the first one to punch a Nazi' in their works. 'What a panel!' said attendee Jesse Goldwater, who traveled to San Diego from Los Angeles. 'They are the embodiment of Comic-Con itself, without them Comic-Con wouldn't exist.' — AFP
Kuwait Times
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
‘Star Wars' creator George Lucas to hit Comic-Con for first time
'I waited for this the entire year,' said 17-year-old Samantha, who came dressed as the pink Dino Ranger. 'It's like Christmas for me!' added the young woman, who had traveled from Florida specifically to see panels for the shows 'Miraculous' and 'Hazbin Hotel.' Other fans couldn't wait to enter the exhibition hall to hunt for memorabilia. 'I just come here for shopping because I like looking at whatever people like to sell,' fan Jack Schmidt -- dressed as Bonolenov Ndongo from the anime 'Hunter x Hunter' -- told AFP. A cosplayer poses outside the convention center. Squid Game cosplayers pose outside the convention center. The Petco Park baseball stadium (left) and hotels are wrapped with advertisement during Comic Con International. A Mario cosplayer poses outside the convention center. Cosplayers from MechaBreak video game pose outside the convention center. A cosplayer poses outside the convention center. Princesses cosplayers pose outside the convention center during Comic Con International in San Diego, California.--AFP photos 'I'm mainly looking for Pop! Funkos this year, because I'm starting to build my collection,' he said, referring to Japanese-style figurines. Comic-Con began holding events in San Diego in 1970, as a low-key and rather niche huddle, but has now grown to an annual get-together that attracts 130,000 people eager to hear behind-the-scenes tidbits from Hollywood stars and from directors unveiling their latest projects. This year's edition will be marked by the presence of legendary filmmaker Lucas, who has never visited the convention before despite Comic-Con culture being deeply rooted in his 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' franchises. In a session on Sunday set to be moderated by Queen Latifah, Lucas will discuss the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art with Mexican director Guillermo del Toro and Oscar-winning artist Doug Chiang, who has shaped the iconic 'Star Wars' universe for decades. A cosplayer poses outside the convention center. A cosplayer from the Pokemon universe poses. Zelda cosplayers pose outside the convention center. An attendee carries bags of items bought during Comic Con International. A cosplayer poses outside the convention center. Cosplayers pose outside the convention center. Cosplayers from the movie 'Up' pose outside the convention center. The Petco Park baseball stadium is wrapped with advertisement during Comic Con International in San Diego, California. A cosplayer poses outside the convention center. A Star Wars stormtrooper cosplayer poses during Comic Con International in San Diego. Comic-Con kicked off Thursday in California, with expectations running high among devoted fans keen to catch a glimpse of George Lucas at his first-ever appearance at the convention. Warriors, princesses, pirates, wizards, and all manner of costumed characters flooded the streets of San Diego on the first day of an annual event that has become one of the world's biggest celebrations of pop culture. The museum, scheduled to open in Los Angeles next year, will be dedicated to illustrated narratives and will house the Lucas archive. 'Nearly five decades ago, Star Wars made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring (comic book artist) Howard Chaykin's now legendary Star Wars poster as a promotional item,' said David Glanzer, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer. 'Now, to have Mr. Lucas... is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community.' Comic-Con runs until Sunday, July 27.—AFP
