For die-hard Star Wars fans, it's been a long time coming, but George Lucas' infamous edits are finally set to make their big-screen return. The original cut of 1977's A New Hope, known for its "Han shot first" controversy, will be re-released in theaters on February 19, 2027.
According to Lucasfilm's official website update, this will indeed be the version that audiences saw before the CGI-heavy changes were made in the 1997 Special Editions. The announcement comes as a welcome relief for fans who have long been clamoring for an authentic viewing experience of the film they know and love.
The original cut was notable for its groundbreaking special effects, which served as a testing ground for future CGI work. However, some of these early attempts at digital wizardry were later scrapped in favor of more sophisticated methods, resulting in changes that have been widely criticized by fans and even some critics.
One of the most contentious edits is the infamous scene where Han Solo is shown to shoot Greedo first. This change was made to soften Han's rough-around-the-edges persona and make him appear more likable from an early stage. While it may have smoothed out some of the film's rough edges, it also removed a pivotal moment in Han's character development.
The re-release marks an opportunity for fans to experience the original version of A New Hope on the big screen once again. However, with Lucasfilm planning to release this restored cut as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, fans will have to wait until 2033 to see the revised version of Return of the Jedi in theaters.
The return of the original Star Wars is a welcome development for fans who have long cherished the film's raw, unpolished charm. It promises to be an unforgettable experience, and one that will allow audiences to relive the magic of the original 1977 release.
According to Lucasfilm's official website update, this will indeed be the version that audiences saw before the CGI-heavy changes were made in the 1997 Special Editions. The announcement comes as a welcome relief for fans who have long been clamoring for an authentic viewing experience of the film they know and love.
The original cut was notable for its groundbreaking special effects, which served as a testing ground for future CGI work. However, some of these early attempts at digital wizardry were later scrapped in favor of more sophisticated methods, resulting in changes that have been widely criticized by fans and even some critics.
One of the most contentious edits is the infamous scene where Han Solo is shown to shoot Greedo first. This change was made to soften Han's rough-around-the-edges persona and make him appear more likable from an early stage. While it may have smoothed out some of the film's rough edges, it also removed a pivotal moment in Han's character development.
The re-release marks an opportunity for fans to experience the original version of A New Hope on the big screen once again. However, with Lucasfilm planning to release this restored cut as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, fans will have to wait until 2033 to see the revised version of Return of the Jedi in theaters.
The return of the original Star Wars is a welcome development for fans who have long cherished the film's raw, unpolished charm. It promises to be an unforgettable experience, and one that will allow audiences to relive the magic of the original 1977 release.
. I mean, think about it, we're bringing back the 'Han shot first' version of the movie that changed the dynamic of Han's character for all time! It's like going back to an old friend who's been slightly different. Will it feel like home or will it just feel like a weird cousin at the family reunion? 
I'm curious, but also a bit apprehensive...
! Can you imagine watching Han Solo take down Greedo like a total boss? I mean, who needs a likable Han Solo when you can have an edgy one? 
The special effects might be ancient, but the charm and nostalgia are still gonna bring it home. And yeah, 2033 is ages from now... can't wait to see the Return of the Jedi re-do in all its restored glory 
. and let's be real, the special effects are gonna look ancient compared to what they have today. i'm not saying i'm looking forward to watching it on a 4k screen or anything, but... idk, maybe it'll be nostalgic or something 
.
the scene still holds up today, imo. and can we talk about how iconic that scene is? it's like, a cultural touchstone or something 
. anyway, can't wait to see the return of the original A New Hope on the big screen in 2027! 
anyway back to star wars... i was thinking what's the deal with retro gaming? it's like, how did ppl survive without those fancy graphics 
and btw have u seen that one episode of the office where dennis looks at that old computer monitor and suddenly remembers all his favorite memories? lol so nostalgic
to see the real deal without all those CGI edits. I mean, Han shooting Greedo first was a huge part of his character development 
and it's crazy that they changed it in 1997 
! It's gonna be an epic celebration for all Star Wars fans out there 
#StarWarsRebooted #HanShotFirst #OriginalCutIsTheBestCut
. The "Han shot first" scene is still so crazy to me, i mean who thought that was a good idea? 
it's crazy to think about how much editing went into making it the 2 hrs 1 min film we all know today. I've got a chart right here 
that shows the timeline of changes made in the special editions... wanna see it? 
it's wild how much difference there is! 
and 80% agree that these changes ruined Han's character development 
. I've got some more stats if u wanna see 'em... 
it's gonna be so cool to experience it in all its rough-around-the-edges glory. And can we talk about how some fans have been begging for this forever?! I mean, I've seen some pretty passionate arguments online about which version is 'better', but honestly, I think the original cut is what makes Star Wars special. 
and I'm hyped that lucasfilm is doing this as part of their 50th anniversary celebration can't wait for return of the jedi to get its own restored cut in theaters
. And yeah, it's crazy how much the edits changed Han's character... makes you appreciate the original more. Can't wait to see it on the big screen again in 2027