A major era of Disney’s tenure over Star Wars is officially about to end, and it’s going to undo 29 years worth of tradition. Since Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, the company has made a few significant changes to Star Wars. From new Star Wars movies, like The Last Jedi, which heavily focused on the original trilogy’s legacy, to rebranding the Expanded Universe as Star Wars Legends, Disney hasn’t been shy about making significant changes.
Disney has, however, been very careful about maintaining one tradition George Lucas put into place even before the prequel trilogy of Star Wars movies was released. In 1997, Lucas released new, edited Special Editions of the original trilogy movies that included added CGI and visual effects, entire new scenes, and dozens of other changes and tweaks. For 14 years, Disney has honored Lucas’ wishes for the Special Editions to be the predominant version of the original trilogy, but that’s about to change.
In keeping with George Lucas’ wishes, Disney has kept the Special Editions as the main version of the original trilogy for digital, physical, and streaming. However, the 50th anniversary of the original Star Wars, which was later subtitled A New Hope, and the franchise as a whole is quickly approaching in 2027. To celebrate the occasion, Disney has announced that it will be releasing the original theatrical version of the original Star Wars in theaters once again on February 19.
Releasing The Theatrical Version Of A New Hope Is A Major Change For Star Wars
It’s hard to overstate just how big of a break from tradition the release of the theatrical version of the original Star Wars truly is. For nearly 30 years now, the theatrical version has been nearly impossible to find. Every single physical release of A New Hope since 1997, except for a 2006 box set, has been the Special Edition. Even the version of the film streaming on Disney+ has been the edited Special Edition rather than the theatrical version.
For the 14 years Disney has owned Star Wars, fans have simply assumed that they would continue honoring George Lucas’ wishes for the original trilogy and never release the theatrical version. It seemed like a true lost cause, so much so that when the Roku Channel accidentally aired the theatrical version in 2025, many fans thought it would be their only chance to see A New Hope without Lucas’ extensive edits.
It’s fairly safe to assume that George Lucas actually did give his blessing for this release of A New Hope. It is the movie’s 50th anniversary, and Lucas likely recognizes that this theatrical release is a way to honor the history of his creation. Plus, Lucas has been looking to history more and more lately, especially with the upcoming debut of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Even though he does prefer the Special Editions, Lucas almost surely recognizes the value of and desire to see the theatrical version.
Even with (presumably) George Lucas’ blessing, this is still the end of a 30-year era for Star Wars. The release of the theatrical version is a line Disney dared not cross for the last 14 years, and one fans thought would never happen for three decades. Clearly, the 50th anniversary of Star Wars is going to be a big deal for Disney and Lucasfilm, and they’re going to pull out all the stops to celebrate the franchise.
Will The Original Version Of Star Wars Ever Be Released Physically Or On Streaming?
An important detail about the release of the theatrical version of Star Wars is the fact that Disney and Lucasfilm have made no mention of a physical, digital, or streaming release of the version. For now, it seems that the theatrical version of A New Hope will only be available in theaters for a limited time in 2027. That’s likely both a tactic to increase ticket sales and a way to make the release a special event celebrating the franchise’s 50th anniversary.
Disney Has Finally Heard Star Wars Fans
Lucasfilm and Disney have been holding out on the Star Wars fan base for decades, but that’s all about to change thanks to a huge announcement.
The groundbreaking nature of the decision to release the theatrical version at all, however, naturally raises the question of whether the theatrical version will ever be released outside of theaters. I’m inclined to say that Disney won’t release the theatrical version on streaming or other platforms. This theatrical release seems to be a special exception for the 50th anniversary, and Disney is likely to go back to respecting George Lucas’ wishes for making the Special Editions the main version of the original trilogy.
However, many people believed the theatrical version would never be released at all just a year ago. Star Wars is in uncharted waters, at least as far as the last 29 years go. This release of the theatrical version may open the proverbial floodgates, and it’s even possible that Disney+ will have a second version of A New Hope at some point in the future. Odds are that the Special Editions will remain the most available version, but anything is possible for Star Wars going forward.
- TV Show(s)
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The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Cast
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Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- Movie(s)
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Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
