As part of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, it was previously announced that the original film would be returning to theaters. Today, it was announced that when Star Wars returns to theaters on February 19, 2027, it will be the original version of the film that was seen by moviegoers 50 years ago. This was a movie that changed movies and moviegoers, with many talking about how blown away they were during the first moments when they saw that first Star Destroyer chasing Princess Leia’s ship.

Lucasfilm announced that the 1977 theatrical release version of Star Wars has been newly restored for part of the 50th anniversary celebration. This film was later renamed Star Wars: A New Hope. The original restored version will be playing in theaters for a limited time. The specifics about when tickets will go on sale and which theaters the film will be screened in have not been released yet.

This exciting news has been something that Star Wars fans have been asking for for many years. The first major changes came with a re-release of the original film in 1997. This came as new technology allowed creator George Lucas to enhance and update some effects. Some scenes were also changed, with digital figures being added into scenes, including a new scene with Jabba the Hutt. Another scene saw Luke Skywalker reuniting with Biggs Darklighter. Most controversial, however, was that Greedo shot at Han first in the Cantina scene. There were also some continuity fixes.

There have been rumblings about a restored version of the 1977 Star Wars films being re-released as part of the 50th anniversary of the franchise. These rumblings have now been confirmed by Lucasfilm. It is unknown if this version of the film will make its way to digital download, physical formats, or Disney+ at a later date.

What do you think about the return of the original Star Wars to theaters in February 2026? Are you going to see it when it arrives in theaters? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!