Could 'Star Wars' Creator Build Museum Here In Chicago?

(CBS) – "Star Wars" broke box office records and captivated movie watchers around the world.

Now the film's creator, George Lucas, is looking to build a museum, and he wants to do it right here in Chicago.

But is it really in our future, or is it something from a galaxy far, far away?

CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports.

David Perry, spokesman for George Lucas, insists Chicago is a top contender for a museum by the creator of "Star Wars," after his hometown of San Francisco turned down Lucas' proposal to build at the prestigious Presidio National Park.

"If he was trying to play cities off one other, this would have been going on during the whole competition here in San Francisco," Perry says.

He adds Chicago is Lucas' new second home, ever since he married Chicago native and investment guru Melody Hobson and started a family.

In a CBS Morning story Lucas described his dream: a museum that celebrates digital design, animation, and his love of art, especially Norman Rockwell.

Don Welsh of Choose Chicago promotes the Second City to an international audience. He says Chicago's appeal is its middle-of-the-country location, abundance of hotel rooms and world-class museums.

"Ideally I'd love to see it in the downtown area," he says.

The $300 million museum wouldn't cost the taxpayers one penny, according to the spokesman. It would be Lucas' gift to the city. The mayor has appointed a task force to make a formal pitch.