Did you miss out on the original release of Star Wars back in 1977? Perhaps you found it odd, didn’t want to wait in line for tickets, or if you’re under 50, you simply weren’t born yet.
You’ll have another opportunity on February 19, when Disney reintroduces both the classic film and a 70-millimetre Imax version to celebrate its anniversary.
“It is truly special to commemorate the 50th anniversary by bringing the original version of Star Wars back to cinemas so that audiences can enjoy this significant moment in film history on the big screen,” stated Lynwen Brennan, co-president of Lucasfilm, in a press announcement.
This won’t be the first occasion for Star Wars—now referred to as Star Wars: A New Hope—to return to theaters. For its 20th anniversary in 1997, creator George Lucas re-released it with various modifications, including CGI enhancements, extra scenes, and the notorious change where Greedo shoots at Han Solo first in the Mos Eisley Cantina sequence.
Disney, which acquired the franchise and Lucasfilm in 2012, has announced that the upcoming release will be a “restored version” of the 1977 classic.
Since Kathleen Kennedy’s departure in January, the franchise has been managed by Brennan and Dave Filoni.
The re-release is part of a lineup of projects for 2027, which will also feature a new season of the live-action series Ahsoka, a documentary detailing the making of A New Hope, and the theatrical debut of Star Wars: Starfighter.
Ryan Gosling, left, and Shawn Levy speak on stage at Comic-Con in San Diego, Calif., on July 25, 2026. Levy will direct Gosling in next year’s new Star Wars film. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The new film is scheduled for release on May 28 and will feature a duo of Canadian talents.
Ryan Gosling (The Fall Guy, Blade Runner 2049) is set to play a jaded rogue (sounds familiar?) with a mysterious background who gets pulled into an intergalactic quest, collaborating with Montreal-born director Shawn Levy, renowned for works like Big Fat Liar, Night at the Museum, and more recently, Deadpool & Wolverine.
According to Lucasfilm, the storyline will unfold five years after the events depicted in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
This will mark the first Star Wars film in theaters since last year’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, which ended the gap since Rise of Skywalker but earned only $345.8 million globally, making it the franchise’s lowest-grossing live-action installment to date.
The franchise has recently fared better on television and will premiere the second season of Ahsoka on Disney+ on January 20, bringing back Rosario Dawson as the lead character and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker.
The new season will continue from where the previous one concluded, as Ahsoka pursues Grand Admiral Thrawn, a former Empire leader who has once again declared war on the Rebel Alliance.
The series will also introduce Rory McCann as the newly cast antagonist Baylan Skol, following the passing of Ray Stevenson in 2023.
The documentary The Hero Awakens is set to debut on Disney+ on May 4—commonly recognized as Star Wars Day.
From filmmaker R.J. Cutler, noted for documentaries like 1993’s The War Room and The September Issue, it will reportedly showcase previously unseen archival footage and audio from the production of the 1977 film.
A new poster for 1977’s Star Wars by artist Matt Ferguson marks its return to theatres in 2027. (Walt Disney Studios)