Lucasfilm has announced some very exciting news that I never expected to type: the original 1977 version of Star Wars, later sub-titled A New Hope, is returning to theaters in 2027 in celebration of its 50th anniversary!
The film returns to theaters on February 19, 2027 for a limited time, and more information will be coming soon. But the key piece of information was just revealed, in that it will be a “newly restored” version of the original cut from 1977.
Though Star Wars was the biggest movie of all-time when it was released and was one of the most groundbreaking achievements in visual effects in history. But director George Lucas was always one to keep pushing the technology to get better and better, so when the technology improved enough to the point of a prequel trilogy becoming possible, Lucas first re-visited his original trilogy. In 1997 he released a Special Edition of A New Hope to celebrate the 20th anniversary, and then more changes were made in 2004. Other tweaks have been made throughout the years. These changes have become a lightning rod for fans; though the overwhelming majority of changes are so major so as not to be noticed, or changes that make the movie better, there’s a certain nostalgic longing for the pure original amongst some fans.
Lucas long insisted that the updated versions were the definitive versions of the films, and nothing about that is changing. But because of that this announcement marks a major milestone, as the original film is coming back for a short time. It will be a chance for some to experience it in theaters again, as they once did. But for many viewers, it will be their first chance to truly experience the original film on the big screen. And it will make for quite the moviegoing event.
A New Hope‘s return to theaters will happen in February of 2027, even though it was originally released in May. So why not re-release it in May at the exact timing of the 50th anniversary? Well, that’s when a brand new Star Wars film, Starfighter, will hit theaters, as that premieres on May 28, 2027 – just days after the official 50th anniversary of the franchise. In this, fans will get to experience the past and the future of the galaxy on the big screen in a matter of months, and that’s super cool.
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