Fans of the unaltered Star Wars experience have reason to celebrate. The initial 1977 theatrical version, now titled A New Hope, will reappear on the big screen. Initial reports from August indicated a re-screening in 2027 to mark the film's 50th anniversary, and recent details confirm it will feature the pre-1997 edition, avoiding the CGI modifications introduced in the Special Editions by George Lucas. The screenings are scheduled to begin on February 19, 2027.
Lucasfilm provided this confirmation through a brief announcement on the official Star Wars site on Friday, referring to the presentation as a freshly restored edition of the 1977 cinema release. According to coverage by Gizmodo, additional details verify that this will be the authentic original, prior to the enhancements seen in the Special Edition and later versions.
The alterations from the mid-1990s incorporated initial computer-generated imagery that acted as a precursor to effects in the Prequel Trilogy. Among these was a digitally rendered sequence showing Jabba the Hutt interacting with Han Solo, which had been filmed originally using stand-in actor Thomas Declan Mulholland but omitted from the first release.
One of the most debated modifications involved the cantina encounter where Greedo fires at Han before Han responds, a shift that drew strong backlash from dedicated supporters. This adjustment toned down Han's initial portrayal, shortening the path to his evolution as a hesitant protagonist throughout the narrative. It appeared to convey an intent to portray Han as less aggressive from the outset, perhaps considering the impact on younger audiences.
Changes to Return of the Jedi in the 1997 updates and beyond remain particularly contentious. These encompassed fresh audio for the closing festivities and a revised montage of events, alongside an inserted performance sequence in Jabba's lair that many found awkward and mismatched. Further, the 2011 Blu-ray edition included an extended vocalization from Darth Vader during his pivotal act of hurling the Emperor into the Death Star's core—a moment some argue loses impact compared to the original's quiet intensity. Should Disney pursue anniversary re-releases consistently, an unmodified version of Return of the Jedi might not return to theaters until 2033.