OKAY San Fran and Chicago, you have officially thrown a fit and lost your minds. George Lucas will not build his billion-dollar Museum Of Narrative Art in your towns. He will not bring in 1,500 construction jobs and 350 permanent jobs to your towns. After years of ridiculous drama, George Lucas has found a home for his museum — it’s L.A., Baby!
Yep. The Jedi Master himself tried and tried and tried to put his fully-paid-for museum on the waterfront in both Chicago and San Fran, bringing in jobs, tourists, and much-needed revenue, but both towns erupted in protests at the thought of such a terrible thing.
According to Deadline >>> At the start of the decade, Lucas planned to build the museum at the Presidio in San Francisco. Then, back in summer 2014, the Lucas Museum was headed to Chicago, on a site adjacent to Soldier Field and Lake Michigan. Both plans were opposed by local groups concerned about construction in historic areas. Full article here >>>
Here’s what’s crazy — George and his investors are fully paying for this huge complex out of their own pockets. That’s right, no public money will be used. Which begs the question: why the heck would San Fran and Chicago oppose a free attraction that would surely draw thousands (millions?) of visitors per year, generating millions in revenue. Not to mention the instant prestige of having this giant collection of art AND the bragging rights of having George Lucas involved in your town.
Perhaps, in the long run, L.A. is the easier and better choice. I mean, it makes sense — this is where he exploded onto the entertainment scene with his Star Wars magnum opus. Also, his museum joins a complex of other museums and institutions in downtown L.A. at Lucas’ much-beloved alma matter, the U.S.C. Film School.
According to Nerdist >>> The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is set to feature pieces from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones creator’s own personal collection, including memorabilia from Star Wars and many other films. The futuristic design for the museum, which itself almost looks like a spaceship for a sci-fi film, comes from Chinese architect Ma Yansong. The 72-year-old Lucas has spent a decade trying to bring about a museum for his art collection, which consists of about 10,000 paintings and illustrations including works by Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, and R. Crumb, along with Hollywood memorabilia from classic Disney films, as well as movies like The Ten Commandments and, obviously, Lucas’ own movies. Full article here >>>
All I can say is, “Way to go L.A.” Way to pull out all the stops and get this once-in-a-century gift. San Fran and Chicago, we luv ya, but we gotta ask, “What were ya thinking?” I know, I know…those towns have influential preservation groups, and in L.A., preservation can almost sound like a dirty word. Development is rampant in La La Land, with gentrification forever changing the face of the once-gritty town. But that said, it was looking more and more likely that the museum would land in the Bay Area. Heck, they were giving George his own island to use (Treasure Island). But in the end, L.A. couldn’t be beat.
From Discover Los Angeles >>> Designed by award-winning architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the museum will join the California African American Museum, California Science Center and the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. Much more than a collection of Star Wars memorabilia – yes, that’s what everyone is excited about – the Lucas Museum will present original work by world renowned and emerging artists, cutting-edge digital technologies, and daily film screenings in state-of-the-art theaters, as well as educational opportunities for students of all ages. Full article here >>>
Hey, George — WELCOME TO TOWN! Or should we say, welcome back.
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