It’s Official: The Original Theatrical Cut of “Star Wars” Is Returning to Theaters — And The Force Has Never Felt More Nostalgic
Image: Lucasfilm
A day many Star Wars fans truly thought would stay in the realm of wishful thinking is finally real: Lucasfilm is bringing the original 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars back to theaters for its 50th anniversary on February 17, 2027. Yes, you read that right. Yes, the version where Han shoots first. And yes, we’re already planning our opening-weekend outfits.
A Long Time Ago… and Now Again
io9 confirmed with Lucasfilm that this is not the Special Edition, not the tweaked version you’ve seen on streaming, and definitely not the one with CGI Jabba. This is the real deal — a newly restored version of the 1977 theatrical release, lovingly polished but true to the film that started it all.
Even better? Some reports say IMAX is part of the celebration (Lucasfilm hasn’t officially confirmed it yet), but we’re already imagining that trench run on a towering screen and getting chills.
Image: Lucasfilm
Why Fans Are Freaking Out
Flash back to 1997: George Lucas released the Special Editions, and those versions pretty much became canon. For years, the original theatrical cuts became the stuff of legend — passed around on old tapes, archived by collectors, and fiercely defended in the “Han shot first” halls of fandom history.
Then Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy attended a rare screening of a 1977 print last year, giving fans an unexpected spark of hope. Now it’s clear why that moment mattered.
A Smart — and Iconic — Birthday Party
The re-release was originally planned for April 30, 2027, just before the debut of Star Wars: Starfighter. But bumping it earlier means more breathing room and virtually guaranteed sellouts.
This is going to be a major event: multi-generational movie nights, cosplay in the aisles, parents introducing their kids to the film exactly as it was, and longtime fans reliving that first iconic crawl.
The Fandom Celebration Starts Now
We’ll get more details next year, but for now? Let the happy tears roll. This is cinematic history coming home — and we’ll see you in line with popcorn in one hand and a lightsaber in the other.
