Here’s what the ‘Star Wars’ experience coming to the Franklin Institute will look like
New information about the forthcoming exhibit was unveiled by Lucasfilm and the Franklin Institute during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
A long, long time ago (Friday) in a galaxy far, far away (California), representatives of the Franklin Institute and Lucasfilm released details about the science museum’s upcoming world premiere exhibit, Star Wars: The Experience, during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
From getting frozen in carbonite next to Han Solo to walking through Queen Amidala’s throne room, the 18,000-square-foot exhibition will feature a variety of interactive elements and displays across several interconnected galleries, according to a news release.
The immersive fan experience, which debuts in February 2027, is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first film released in the sci-fi saga, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
During the “Making of Star Wars: The Experience” panel at Comic-Con — which was moderated by Ashley Eckstein, who voices Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars’ animated series — official renderings and details about the exhibit were released for the first time.
According to the news release, displays and interactive features of Star Wars: The Experience will include:
“Queen Amidala’s Throne Room”: In an exhibit dedicated to costume design in the Star Wars galaxy, guests will walk through a room of “suspended fabric and projection” resembling the queen’s throne room while surrounded by Star Wars costumes, costume art, and stories from the franchise’s costume designers.
“Wireframe Worlds”: In this gallery, fans will get a look at the blueprint and sketch designs behind some of Star Wars most famous sets and vehicles. The display will be anchored by a wireframe TIE fighter and surrounded by diagrams of Star Wars spaceships.
“Carbon Freeze Capture”: Billed as a “dramatic, photo-ready moment,” this display will feature a full-scale Han Solo encased in carbonite flanked by two interactive stations where visitors can undergo their own “carbon freeze sequence.”
“50 Years of Star Wars”: More than 90 rare and vintage Star Wars action figures and prototypes from Kenner’s, Hasbro, and other manufacturers will be featured in a gallery about premium collectibles.
The Franklin Institute previously announced that a variety of rare artifacts used in the films — like Darth Vader’s costume and Darth Maul’s lightsaber — will be on display, along with various robots and aliens from the universe, like R2-D2 and Grogu.
Guests will also be equipped with RFID technology to interact with some of the displays and strengthen their alliance with the force, “culminating in a personalized finale moment,” the release said.
Lynwen Brennan, co-president of Lucasfilm, called the exhibit a “testament to five decades of innovative storytelling.”
“As we mark the incredible milestone of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, we wanted to develop something truly extraordinary — a space that honors both the visionary pioneers who built this galaxy, and the remarkable fan community at its heart," Brennan said in the release.
Tickets for the experience, which runs from February to September 2027, go on sale in November. Following its run at the Franklin Institute, the exhibit will embark on a five-year tour of North America.
