Buckle up, sci-fi lovers, because we are about to make the jump to hyperspace—straight back to 1977! For the first time in decades, the “original” theatrical version of “Star Wars”—yes, the one before all the CGI touch-ups, surprise Hayden Christensen cameos, and that weird, extended dance number in Jabba’s palace—is heading back to the big screen. And it’s not just happening anywhere… it’s happening in the U.K., thanks to the British Film Institute’s upcoming Film on Film Festival this June.
Now, let’s be clear about what a big deal this is. We’re talking about a piece of cinematic history that George Lucas himself pretty much tried to bury in carbonite. After its initial run, Lucas started tinkering with “Star Wars” like it was a model X-wing—replacing effects, reshaping scenes, and calling the results “Special Editions.” Some changes were cosmetic. Others rewrote whole moments. (Hello, “Han shot first” controversy.) And since the late ’90s, those are the only versions Lucas has ever allowed to hit theaters.
In fact, Lucas was “so” done with the 1977 cut that in a 2004 interview, he more or less told fans, “It’s on VHS if you care that much.” And that was that—until now.
So what’s being screened? A pristine, unfaded Technicolor “British” release print, preserved in the BFI National Archive.
This isn’t a digital recreation or a home-brewed fan restoration. This is celluloid royalty. A living relic. The cinematic equivalent of discovering a mint-condition Millennium Falcon toy in your attic—still in the box.
And the BFI isn’t stopping there. Attendees will also get access to never-before-seen material from the original continuity script—think rare Polaroids, handwritten notes, and even deleted scenes. It’s the kind of archival gold that gives longtime fans goosebumps and makes film historians swoon.
Of course, Disney now owns the “Star Wars” empire, having scooped up Lucasfilm in 2012 for a cool $4 billion. They’ve ridden the hyperspace waves ever since with movies, shows, theme parks, and more Baby Yoda merch than you can shake a lightsaber at.
But even with all that firepower, they’ve never pulled the trigger on giving this untouched original its due in theaters—until now, sort of.
While it’s not a global release (yet), this event marks a historic moment. A rare detour into nostalgia that’s not powered by AI or streaming algorithms, but by pure, analog magic.
If you’ve ever wanted to see “Star Wars” the way your parents (or grandparents) did in 1977—with practical effects, film grain, and no CGI dewbacks—this might just be your last chance.
