Star Wars Returns to Theaters in IMAX 70mm for Its 50th Anniversary
Han shoots first. In IMAX 70mm.
Lucasfilm just laid out its plan for Star Wars' 50th birthday, and it starts on the biggest screen possible. The original Star Wars (1977) returns to theaters on February 19, 2027, on thousands of screens worldwide, according to StarWars.com. It will play in digital and on film, including IMAX 70mm, Digital IMAX, 4DX and D-BOX.
Before the movie starts, audiences will see a new 50th anniversary logo set to a newly orchestrated John Williams score. Artist Matt Ferguson also made a new poster for the release that pays tribute to the original 1977 art.
Which version of Star Wars is coming back?
The 1977 one. Lucasfilm calls it a restored version of the original film, and Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan said the studio is marking the anniversary by "returning the original version of Star Wars to theaters." Engadget reports that this is the cut fans saw before George Lucas made his 1997 Special Edition changes. (Yes, that means Han shoots first.)
What is The Hero Awakens?
It's a new documentary about the making of the 1977 movie, directed by R.J. Cutler. It uses archival footage and audio recorded during and around the production, and it debuts on Disney+ on May 4, 2027. Lucasfilm, Cutler, This Machine and Kennedy Marshall are producing it.
What else is part of the 50th anniversary?
A lot. Here are the highlights from StarWars.com:
- Cosm will show a Shared Reality version in its 12K+ LED domes starting in March 2027.
- Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga plays the Hollywood Bowl during the first weekend of April 2027, hosted by Anthony Daniels.
- Hasbro's new 3.75-inch Retro line is inspired by the original Kenner figures, and preorders open November 13.
- LEGO is releasing seven 50th anniversary sets on January 1, 2027, with minifigures inspired by Ralph McQuarrie's concept art.
- Star Wars: The Experience opens at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on February 13, 2027.
The concert is a fun full-circle moment, since the Hollywood Bowl hosted the first official Star Wars concert in November 1977. Star Wars Celebration also runs April 1 to 4 in Los Angeles, and it's already sold out. Starfighter then hits theaters on May 28, 2027. Our 2027 Star Wars calendar keeps every date in one place.
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My read is that the IMAX 70mm screenings are the real headline here. A lot of us have only ever watched this movie at home, and the original cut has been hard to find for decades. Seeing it the way it looked in 1977, with a fresh Williams fanfare in front of it, on a screen that size is about as close as any of us will get to opening night. (Somebody save me a seat in the middle row.)
Will you see the original Star Wars in IMAX 70mm? Tell us in the comments.
