Many celebrities showed up to support “Star Wars” creator George Lucas at the opening of the Lucas Museum of Art on Saturday, September 19, in Los Angeles. Many longtime collaborators, including Steven Spielberg, attended, along with “Star Wars” actors like Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. Other celebrities, like Katy Perry and Queen Latifah, were also in attendance.
Singer Katy Perry was “so excited” to attend the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, joking that she was “dressed like the museum.”
When Variety asked the “Roar” singer to name her favorite “Star Wars” project, Perry named the “Rogue One” series “Andor” as a favorite.
Hayden Christensen Attended With Other ‘Star Wars’ Greats
Hayden Christensen, best known for playing Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy, was also spotted at the opening, alongside Lucasfilm co-President Dave Filoni.
Lucasfilm creative director Doug Chiang and actor Ahmed Best, best known for playing Jar Jar Binks and Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, were also in attendance.
Mark Hamill Feels ‘Lucky’ That The Museum Opened In Los Angeles
Fans who have been following the museum for a while know Lucas tried to build his passion project in several cities, including Chicago, before eventually settling on Los Angeles.
Mark Hamill, best known to fans for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker throughout the Skywalker Saga, told Variety that he felt “lucky” that the museum was built in Los Angeles.
“They wanted him to build it up north,” Hamill said. “They weren’t able to. Then they tried Chicago, and luckily, it landed here in Los Angeles.”
Samuel L. Jackson Posed With A Life-Sized Mace Windu
Samuel L. Jackson is best known for playing Jedi Master Mace Windu in the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy. In a video Deadline shared on X, the actor can be seen posing next to a life-size version of the Jedi.
Although some fans commented with some of Mace Windu’s most popular lines, others called for Jackson to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Steven Spielberg Was Also In Attendance
It’s no surprise that Steven Spielberg, one of George Lucas’ longtime collaborators, would be in attendance.
The two were seen chatting on video while Jon Batiste performed.
Harrison Ford Also Showed Up To Support George Lucas
Harrison Ford and his wife, Calista Flockhart, also posed for a photo with George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, whom he married in 2013.
Ford is best known for his roles in two Lucasfilm projects: Indiana Jones and Han Solo.
Queen Latifah Praised The Work George Lucas and His Wife Put Into The Museum
Queen Latifah praised the work that George Lucas and his wife put into creating the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
“You wouldn’t believe how much work [George Lucas and Mellody Hobson] personally put into” architecting the museum, she told Variety.
“This isn’t just some ego thing where it’s like, ‘Hey, I’ll put my name on it, but you do all the work,’” she continued. “They are so in the DNA of this building.”
She helped kick off the opening night gala inside the museum, with many fans calling it a fitting tribute to Lucas’ legacy.
‘Star Wars’ Directors Ron Howard and Bryce Dallas Howard Attended The Opening
Both Ron Howard and his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, have directed several “Star Wars” projects across film and Disney+. At the museum’s opening, Bryce exclusively told PEOPLE magazine that her father often gives her good advice.
“I trust his advice. His advice comes from such a true place,” she said. “There’s no agenda. He’s such a deeply good person, and he cares so much.”
She also called the “Alone at Dawn” filmmaker “such a great father,” adding, “I’ve never felt manipulated. I’ve never felt controlled.”
She went on to say, “So anything that comes from my dad feels very clean, which is often not the case for parents and children.”
R2-D2 Also Made An Appearance
Of course, plenty of non-human celebrities also made an appearance at the museum’s opening night.
R2-D2, one of the famous droids from the “Star Wars” franchise, was also seen roaming around the floors of the museum.
