A 1977 version of “Star Wars,” which George Lucas refused to put on the big screen, is heading to theaters. 

The original release, then called just “Star Wars,” now referred to as “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope,” was constantly tweaked after its original release by Lucas. The filmmaker referred to these new, slightly altered versions as “Special Editions.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, some of those changes were subtle while others were more significant. 

In June, the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival will include a screening of one of the Technicolor prints from the original “Star Wars” run. The Telegraph noted that this represents the first time this version of the iconic space drama has been shown on the big screen since December 1978.

“We’re delighted to announce the programme for the second edition of the BFI Film on Film Festival, taking place at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX from 12 to 15 June 2025 and opening with Star Wars (1977), screening publicly for the first time in decades in its original 1977 version,” BFI wrote in the announcement.

The print is an “original, unfaded dye transfer IB Technicolor British release print of Star Wars (1977), preserved in the BFI National Archive, and ready to transport us to a long time ago, and a galaxy far, far away, back to the moment in 1977 when George Lucas’s vision cast a spell on cinema audiences,” the organization wrote, adding that attendees can also “view material from the original continuity script for Star Wars, which includes rare on-set Polaroids, annotations and deleted scenes.” 

While some copies of the unaltered original do exist and have circulated for home use, Lucas has been adamant about only allowing the Special Edition to be seen in theaters. He discussed the subject during a 2004 interview with The Associated Press.

“The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore,” Lucas said at the time.  

“It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.”

Disney purchased the entire “Star Wars” franchise from Lucasfilm in 2012 for just over $4 billion. The last release, “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” made more than $1 billion despite lackluster critical reviews. Next up, Disney will try again with “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” which is expected in May 2026.