Lucas Retires From Filmmaking to Open Narrative Art Museum

George Lucas says he retired from filmmaking even though he still had three Star Wars movies left to make, choosing instead to finish the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which opened to the public in Los Angeles on September 22, 2026. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning's Norah O'Donnell, the 82-year-old filmmaker said the decision weighed heavily on him. "When I did this, I decided to retire from making movies, which was a big deal because I had three more Star Wars to make," Lucas said. "But, I realized that I was running out of time, and I did want to make this museum." Lucas and his wife, museum cofounder Mellody Hobson, celebrated the opening with a star-studded gala over the weekend. Guests included Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, Denis Villeneuve, Spike Lee, Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Samuel L. Jackson, along with political figures such as Governor Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, Justin Trudeau and former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau's presence was noted among attendees.