United States: ‘Star Wars’ Creator George Lucas Leads Pop Culture Forum

George Lucas, the creator of the iconic “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises, is headlining this year’s Comic-Con, the historic pop culture convention that opened today in California.

The creative mind behind the legendary “Star Wars” universe and the adventures of archaeologist Indiana Jones, portrayed by Harrison Ford, will participate in the forum for the first time. Comic-Con is the largest event of its kind in the United States and a major celebration of global pop culture.

This edition of Comic-Con has generated significant excitement among fans, who are eagerly anticipating Lucas’s debut appearance at the event, according to digital platforms such as Perfil and Mundo Deportivo.

Among the featured topics is the world premiere of the prequel series “Alien: Earth,” a key highlight of the event, which has grown into one of the world’s most prominent celebrations of pop culture.

Comic-Con began in 1970 in San Diego as a niche gathering for comic book enthusiasts. Over the decades, it has evolved into a major annual convention that this year is expected to attract 130,000 attendees. Fans will have the opportunity to hear directly from Hollywood stars and directors as they present their latest projects.

Lucas’s presence has generated heightened anticipation, and fans of his work will enjoy a conversation with him during a special session on Sunday, moderated by Queen Latifah.

During the session, Lucas will discuss the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, alongside Mexican director Guillermo del Toro and Oscar-winning artist Doug Chiang, who has shaped the “Star Wars” universe for decades, Mundo Deportivo reported.

The museum, scheduled to open in Los Angeles in 2026, will focus on visual storytelling and house Lucas’s personal archive. “Almost five decades ago, ‘Star Wars’ had one of its first public showings at our convention, with a booth featuring the now-legendary poster created by artist Howard Chaykin as promotional material,” said David Glanzer, Director of Communications and Strategy.

“Having Mr. Lucas here now is truly a full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community,” Glanzer added.

Marvel Studios will also be present at this year’s event, though with a more low-key approach, as it will not hold its much-anticipated annual presentation in Hall H.

According to Variety magazine, changes in the release schedule for the next “Avengers” film were due to production logistics, with the cast currently filming in the United Kingdom.

Despite this notable absence, events scheduled for the coveted Hall H are still expected to deliver major moments for science fiction fans, one of the convention’s cornerstone genres.

On Friday, attendees will witness the world premiere of the pilot episode of “Alien: Earth,” directed by Noah Hawley. The series is set to launch on streaming platforms in August.

Another fan-favorite franchise making a return is “Predator: Badlands,” which will be featured in a Friday panel with director Dan Trachtenberg, who revitalized the saga with “Prey” in 2022. Cast members Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who portrays the predator Dek, will also appear.

Saturday’s programming includes another major highlight. Acclaimed actor Ryan Gosling, along with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for the new “Spider-Verse” trilogy, will present their upcoming film “Project Hail Mary,” scheduled for theatrical release next year.

Thousands of attendees are also expected to arrive in costume as princesses, warriors, aliens, and other iconic figures from pop culture.

Comic-Con will run through Sunday, July 27.