Mark Hamill joins fans in celebrating Lucasfilm’s decision to rerelease the original 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars for its 50th anniversary in 2027.
The Original 1977 Star Wars Is Returning to Theaters for Its 50th Anniversary — Exactly as Fans Remember It
In a move fans once believed would never happen, Lucasfilm and Disney have officially confirmed that the original 1977 theatrical version of Star Wars is heading back to theaters. Not the Special Edition. Not a remaster with added CGI or controversial scene changes. This is the real deal—the version that changed cinema forever when it premiered in 1977.
The re-release is set for February 17, 2027, timed to celebrate the film’s monumental 50th anniversary. And yes, io9 has confirmed directly with Lucasfilm: it is the original theatrical cut of Star Wars—the version fans have been begging to see for decades.
The Big Question Fans Had: Which Version? Now We Know.
When Lucasfilm first announced earlier this year that Star Wars (later renamed Star Wars: A New Hope) would return to theaters, the excitement was mixed with uncertainty. Fans immediately asked the one question that has hovered over the franchise since the late ’90s: What version will they show?
Would Disney play it safe with the 1997 Special Edition—the version George Lucas updated with new effects, altered scenes, and story changes that sparked endless debate?
Or would they take the historic route and give audiences the unaltered original classic?
Now the studio has delivered its answer loud and clear.
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Lucasfilm describes the 2027 presentation as “a newly restored version of the classic Star Wars (1977) theatrical release.”
That means:
- Han shoots first
- No CGI Jabba the Hutt
- No added dewbacks or digital creatures
- No ring explosion around the Death Star
- Original sound mix and effects
This is the film that won the hearts of an entire generation—painstakingly restored for modern theaters.
Some reports even suggest the release may come in IMAX, though Lucasfilm has not yet confirmed those details. If true, it will mark the first time the untouched 1977 version appears on large-format screens.
Special Editions Became the Standard… Until Now
Since 1997, the Special Edition versions—complete with Lucas’ digital revisions—became the only versions Lucasfilm would distribute. These updates rolled out across every format:
- Theatrical reruns
- VHS
- DVD
- Blu-ray
- Digital streaming on Disney+
Because of this, official copies of the original version became increasingly rare, surviving only through old prints, early VHS tapes, fan restorations, and limited archives.
The change in direction likely began last year, when Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy attended a screening of an original print. Fans saw that appearance as a signal—but no one expected Lucasfilm to take the massive step of fully restoring and rereleasing the original film nationwide.
Now, the curtain is finally lifting.
A Shift in Release Strategy
Originally, Lucasfilm planned to rerelease the movie on April 30, 2027, just weeks before the debut of the new film Star Wars: Starfighter. The updated February date widens the gap between projects and positions the re-release during a less crowded box office period.
This gives A New Hope room to breathe—and fans more flexibility to experience the cinematic event.
A Cultural Moment Decades in the Making
For many fans, this is not just a rerelease—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Seeing the original Star Wars on the big screen hasn’t been possible for nearly 50 years. Generations of viewers have only known the altered special editions. Parents and grandparents who grew up with the original trilogy can now share the exact film they fell in love with.
Whether you were there in 1977 or discovered the franchise later, this re-release is shaping up to be a major pop-culture celebration.
Expect huge demand for tickets, especially if IMAX showings are confirmed. It’s not hard to imagine fans dressing up in classic costumes, theaters hosting anniversary marathons, and social media flooding with reactions as audiences rediscover the movie that started it all.
Why This Matters for Star Wars and Cinema History
The return of the original theatrical version is more than just nostalgia—it’s film preservation. For decades, historians, archivists, and fans argued that the original cut deserved protection as a crucial piece of cinematic history.
The 1977 Star Wars wasn’t just a film. It was:
- A technological breakthrough
- A new blueprint for visual effects
- A global cultural phenomenon
- A movie that transformed Hollywood’s blockbuster model
By restoring and rereleasing the original cut, Lucasfilm acknowledges the film’s legacy in its truest form.
What’s Next?
More details about the restoration, the release format, premium screenings, and ticket availability are expected in 2026. Fans can also expect behind-the-scenes features, interviews, anniversary merchandise, and events leading up to the big date.
For now, Star Wars fans everywhere are celebrating. The version many believed lost to history is finally returning—on the big screen, where it belongs.