Original Star Wars Cut Returns to Theaters for 50th Anniversary

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Get ready to experience the original Star Wars on the big screen again! To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027, the very first version of the movie – the one released in theaters in 1977, before it was known as Episode IV or had any subtitles – is coming back to cinemas.

Lucasfilm announced that the original 1977 version of Star Wars will be back in movie theaters for a limited time starting February 19, 2027. This special screening celebrates the 50th anniversary of the film that began the hugely successful Star Wars franchise. The studio says it will be a newly restored version of the original theatrical release from 1977.

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I was thrilled to hear Lucasfilm is bringing the original version back to theaters! It’s something a lot of us have been waiting for – a chance to see the movie as it was first released. You see, shortly after it came out, George Lucas, who directed the first film, started making changes. He even added the ‘A New Hope’ subtitle once he started planning the sequels, but this screening lets us experience the original vision.

The biggest change came with the 1997 re-release, which was partly done to give Lucas more time to finish the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. Rather than simply showing the original Star Wars film in theaters for its 20th anniversary, Lucas released a Special Edition. This version included many new digital effects and, unfortunately, replaced some of the award-winning effects from the original film.

The Original Star Wars Finally Returns To Theaters

For years, fans have been particularly upset that the altered Star Wars Special Edition – which George Lucas continued to revise – has been the only version available to buy or stream. The same goes for the sequels; the original, unaltered versions haven’t been widely released since a poorly produced 2006 DVD extra. This lack of access to the originals has fueled a dedicated fan community that creates their own restorations, like Harmy’s Despecialized Edition and Project 4k77.

We got our first indication of this shift earlier in the year. Now, fans around the world will be able to experience Star Wars as it was originally released. It’s still unclear if future anniversary editions of other films will receive similar attention, or if they’ll become available on streaming services or for home viewing.

George Lucas’s Star Wars launched a beloved space saga, introducing audiences to the battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, along with the mystical world of the Jedi and the Force. It was the first film in what would become the original Star Wars Trilogy and the expansive “Skywalker Saga,” although it’s actually the fourth story when considering the in-universe timeline. The film features unforgettable performances by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin, Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, and David Prowse (physical performance) and James Earl Jones (voice) as Darth Vader.

Star Wars returns to theaters on Feb. 19, 2027.

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2025-12-05 23:14