SDCC 2026: New Details Revealed About Immersive Museum Exhibition Star Wars: The Experience
Soon you will be able to peer into the impassive face of the unchanging mask of Darth Vader, get within a few centimeters of the charming fluffy head of Grogu and finally - finally! - find the droids you are looking for.
Next year, we'll embark on a journey celebrating the legacy of Star Wars, the power of The Force and fandom when the largest and most comprehensive traveling behind-the-scenes Star Wars exhibit opens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then embarks on a five-year tour of North America. But today we took our first steps into that big world, getting our first look at exhibition sketches, official key images and other new details during the official panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
The Star Wars ExhibitionThe Experience - A Journey Through Galaxy's world premiere will take place at the Franklin Institute on February 13, 2027, in celebration ofStar Wars's 50th anniversary.It invites fans of all ages into the making of a galaxy and celebrates the art, innovation, and fandom that madeStar Warsa global phenomenon.
Featuring an extraordinary collection of more than 70 artifacts—many of which are being shown for the first time by Lucasfilm—the exhibition invites you to take a closer look at iconic items used in the films, including the lightsaber hiltDarth Maul and Darth Vader's fearsome armor, plus a selection of fan-favorite aliens, droids and creatures, including the Mandalorian's faithful companion Grogu (from Star Wars: The Mandalorian and the film Grogu, available now on digital), and the droid duo that started it all, R2-D2 and C-3PO.Celebrating the depth and diversity of storytelling in a galaxy far, far away, the exhibit also includes vehicles such as a full-size speeder bike and original props from the Andor series. critically acclaimed, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning on Disney+.
Star Wars:The Experience, produced by the Franklin Institute in collaboration with MDSX, Lucasfilm and Disney Consumer Products, is an all-new 18,000 square foot exhibit consisting of visually rich, interconnected galleries featuring large-scale interactive areas, filming artifacts, and an interactive, personalized and cinematic RFID-based exhibit that immerses the viewer into the creative spirit behind Star Wars.
From sound design and costume creation to fan art and gaming, the exhibition celebrates the intersection of art, innovation and fandom, showcasing the legacy ofStar Warsas a mythology that has always been and will be created by dreamers. Celebrating the groundbreaking evolution and innovation of Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, it traces the path from analog ingenuity to digital reinvention and highlights the voices of the original creators and today's global fandom, revealing the creativity, artistry and community that make Star Warsa timeless treasure loved by people around the world.
“Lucasfilm has always been at the forefront of bringing together cutting-edge technology and limitless storytelling possibilities,” said Lynwen Brennan, co-president of Lucasfilm. “In collaboration with the Franklin Institute, we are creating a space that reflects this spirit of curiosity and creativity.As we celebrate the incredible milestone of StarWars's 50th anniversary, we wanted to create something truly extraordinary—a space that pays tribute to both the visionary pioneers who created this galaxy and the amazing fan community at its heart. "Star WarsThe Experience" is a testament to five decades of groundbreaking storytelling, and we're excited for visitors to immerse themselves in the legacy ofStar Wars through this new exhibition."
“Star Warshas created a cultural landscape that spans decades and has enormous, undeniable global popularity,” adds Larry Dubinsky, President and CEO of the Franklin Institute. “His influence extends far beyond cinema—shaping entertainment, culture, technology and business while redefining how stories are created, experienced and shared across generations. The Franklin Institute is pleased to once again put Philadelphia at the center of an important cultural moment with another major exhibition in 2027, making its world premiere this year.”
Enter the Throne Room on Naboo
Today, official sketches and key images from the exhibition were revealed at an exclusive panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Moderated by Ashley Eckstein, actress and voice of Ahsoka Tano in such animated series as Star Wars: The Clone Wars,Star Wars: Rebels,"Tales of the Jedi".Panelists included Matt Martin, senior creative director of content and franchise strategy at Lucasfilm; Portia Fontes, physical asset manager at Lucasfilm; Abby Bishe, director of experience and strategy at the Franklin Institute; Dan Pickard, creative director and owner of MDSX; and Dave Edmonds, MDSX Art Director.
Among the most important points discussed were:
Queen Amidala's Throne Room: Follow the path of Naboo's royal family in a room featuring hanging fabrics and projections, surrounded by voices and images from the creators of Star Wars. Along the way, you'll encounter key costumes and learn the stories behind their designs, culminating with an audience with Queen Amidala's throne and a closer look at her majestic gown.
Wireframe Worlds:This gallery features a wireframe TIE Fighter as the centerpiece of this gallery, and explores the stage of creating the sets for Star Wars. Backlit acrylic panels and artifacts showcase early vehicle sketches and design notes that became cinematic icons, while surrounding graphics show schematics of the numerous ships that brought various sagas to life.
Carbonite Freeze Capture: In this spectacular, photo-ready moment, you'll find yourself face-to-face with a full-size Han Solo in carbonite, surrounded by two interactive stations.Emulate the Ugnaught, launch your own "carbonite freeze" - an unforgettable combination of storytelling and technology that allows you to step right into one of cinema's most iconic scenes. You'll love it. We know.
The Power That Unites Us:Thanks to the latest RFID technology, your journey becomes uniquely personal, shaped by your choices and driven by your devotion to the Force. Move through the exhibition, experience hidden moments, evolving interactions and plot elements as they unfold around you, culminating in an unforgettable finale.
50 Years ofStar Wars:The exhibition also includes an unprecedented look back at the 50-year history of the creation and release of Star Wars action figures, presenting more than 100 iconic toys from the universe, including more than 30 rare prototypes, prototypes, tooling samples and original designs. materials, some of which have never been publicly displayed before. This unique exhibit shows how Kenner and Hasbro's craftsmanship has evolved along with the saga itself, from the first figures in the original trilogy to today's premium collectibles, and continues to introduce new designs inspired by the latest Star Wars stories.
Tickets for the Star Wars:The Experience exhibition, which runs from 13 February to September 6, 2027will go on sale in November. After the premiere in In Philadelphia, the exhibition will go on a five-year tour of North America.