Sofia Vergara Stuns in Red Dress at Lucas Museum Opening with Anakin and Obi-Wan

Some museum openings feel like quiet cultural events, while others resemble the Oscars with a different dress code. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art undoubtedly belonged in the latter category. After years of delays and a reported $1B price tag, the highly anticipated institution in Los Angeles finally celebrated its grand opening.

Founded by George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, the museum is located in Exposition Park. Its impressive 300,000-square-foot building was designed by Ma Yansong of MAD, who clarified on stage that it is modeled after a cloud, not a spaceship. Inside, over 30 galleries explore visual storytelling from prehistoric cave paintings to comics, illustrations, and cinema.

Among the many notable guests was Sofía Vergara, who posed for a photo in front of the museum’s Anakin and Obi-Wan display. In the picture, the actress dazzles in a shimmering red gown as she stands before a yellow airspeeder featuring the two Jedi. The image quickly garnered attention from ‘Star Wars’ fans online.

The gala took place on Sept. 19, just ahead of the public opening on Sept. 22. Event co-chairs included Steven Spielberg, Greta Gerwig, Guillermo del Toro, Pharrell Williams, and Lewis Hamilton, with Queen Latifah taking the stage to welcome guests. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson introduced an immersive drone show that illuminated the sky with ‘Star Wars’ imagery and artwork from the museum.

The guest list was extensive. Harrison Ford was seen embracing Lucas, while Mark Hamill posed in front of a Luke Skywalker exhibition. Hayden Christensen, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker, was also in attendance. Other celebrities included Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Christopher Nolan, Kim Kardashian, and Alicia Keys, with the Black Eyed Peas performing later in the evening.

Vergara was among the stars who attended alongside Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria, and Tyler Perry. The event blended film royalty, musicians, athletes, and fashion icons in one space, making a photo with a famous ‘Star Wars’ display particularly fitting.

The display is part of the museum’s inaugural Cinema installation, ‘Star Wars in Motion.’ This exhibition highlights land vehicles from the first six films, including racers, transports, and flying vessels. It features everything from Luke’s Landspeeder in ‘A New Hope’ to the first physical build of General Grievous’s Wheel Bike in ‘Revenge of the Sith.’

Sofia Vergara stands with the Anakin and Obi-Wan display at The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art pic.twitter.com/PcB5cLUdrQ

— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) September 20, 2026

One review noted that two finned airspeeders from ‘Attack of the Clones’ appear tailgating each other, set against blurry freeze frames that suggest motion. The exhibition draws from the Lucas Archives, a collection of props, costumes, and artwork donated in 2013 that forms the museum’s foundation. This explains why ‘Star Wars’ fans will find so much to explore.

However, the museum is not solely focused on the galaxy far, far away. CNN reported that ‘Star Wars’ occupies only about 7% of the museum, and Gizmodo emphasized that visitors expecting only ‘Star Wars’ may be disappointed. The collection also features works by Frida Kahlo and Norman Rockwell, along with comic art and photography.

Lucas and Hobson are banking on the idea that fans who come for the vehicles and Yoda and Grogu sculptures will stay for the rest. Visitors can look forward to seeing over 1,300 objects on display throughout the galleries. The museum’s timed-entry tickets are priced at $25, according to Explore.

With the celebrity party concluded, the museum now turns its attention to everyday visitors. The public opening on Sept. 22 will reveal whether audiences respond as enthusiastically as the guests did on opening night. For ‘Star Wars’ fans, the allure of witnessing Anakin and Obi-Wan speeding through a display in person may be hard to resist.

If Vergara’s photo is any indication, the museum is already generating the kind of social media buzz that Lucas and Hobson likely anticipated. It has also provided fans with another reason to look forward to the anniversary of ‘Star Wars’ next year. For now, the Lucas Museum has demonstrated its ability to attract a crowd as diverse as the stories it tells.

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