George Lucas Has Moved On From Star Wars—Disney’s Got The Franchise, He’s Got A Life

Disney takes over and stamps the franchise with its own vision—inevitable from the start.

George Lucas does not run Star Wars anymore, and he sounds genuinely fine with that. A decade-plus after selling Lucasfilm to Disney, he is busy building a museum, Disney is doing its version of the galaxy far, far away, and everyone seems to have settled into their roles.

Lucas on letting go

In a new chat with the Wall Street Journal, Lucas made it clear he has moved on. He is not pining for control or second-guessing what Disney is doing. His focus is somewhere else entirely.

"Disney took it over and they gave it their vision. That is what happens. Of course I have moved past it. I mean, I have got a life. I am building a museum. A museum is harder than making movies."

That last line feels like a small surprise, but if you have ever tried to open a world-class institution in a major city, you probably get it.

The sale, the money, and what Disney did next

Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney back in 2012 for about $4 billion. So yes, handing off his signature creation came with a spectacularly comfortable cushion.

Since Disney took over, the company has pushed Star Wars across theaters and streaming: five movies released so far, plus a pile of series, with The Mandalorian turning into the breakout hit. There are more films in development on top of that.

So, about that museum

The project keeping Lucas busy is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, slated to open in 2026. The idea is to spotlight narrative art - the kind that tells stories - and how it shapes societies: beliefs, values, imagination, community. It is a big swing, and per Lucas, a tougher lift than making movies.

What is next on the Star Wars calendar

• The Mandalorian and Grogu - hits theaters May 26, 2026.
• Star Wars: Starfighter - directed by Deadpool & Wolverine filmmaker Shawn Levy, arrives May 28, 2027.

If you were hoping Lucas might swoop back in and recalibrate the franchise, it sure does not sound like that is happening. He is out, Disney is in, and the next era is already dated on the calendar.