Original Star Wars to Be Shown on Screen Publicly for the First Time in Many Years

      The original Star Wars film, which George Lucas has continuously modified since its initial release in 1977—including the addition of the subtitle “Episode IV: A New Hope”—will be shown in its unaltered version for the first time since its premiere at the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival in June.

      “We’re thrilled to announce the lineup for the second edition of the BFI Film on Film Festival, occurring at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX from June 12 to 15, 2025, and kicking off with the original Star Wars (1977), which will be screened publicly for the first time in decades in its 1977 version,” the BFI announced.

      The screening will feature an "original, unfaded dye-transfer IB Technicolor British release print of Star Wars (1977), preserved in the BFI National Archive, ready to take us back to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, reflecting the moment in 1977 when George Lucas's vision captivated cinema audiences," the festival added.

      Festival-goers can also “view materials from the original continuity script for Star Wars, which includes rare on-set Polaroids, annotations, and deleted scenes,” according to the BFI. This script belongs to Ann Skinner, the script editor for the original Star Wars, and is now kept in the BFI National Archive.

      The original Star Wars is not the only highlight for festival participants: Film on Film will also showcase a 35mm print of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks U.S. pilot episode — “the very same print used for the first UK television broadcast in 1990,” announced the festival. It will be presented by Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan.

      There’s an intriguing connection between Star Wars and Twin Peaks: George Lucas once considered Twin Peaks co-creator David Lynch to direct the third Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi, but Lynch chose instead to create his 1984 rendition of Dune.

      The Original Star Wars vs. A New Hope

      Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars, also known as Episode IV: A New Hope. Lucasfilm. – Credit: C/O

      George Lucas began modifying Star Wars almost immediately after its unexpected success. Following the 1980 sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, which was labeled “Episode V” despite being the second film, the original Star Wars was re-released in 1981 with the new subtitle “Episode IV – A New Hope” appearing in the opening crawl.

      This new title has become predominant: Searching for the film on Disney+ will show “A New Hope” more prominently than “Star Wars.” (The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for just over $4 billion.)

      Additionally, Lucas has made numerous adjustments to his charmingly practical, matte-and-miniature-based masterpiece throughout its various re-releases since 1977, often facing fan backlash. The most criticized changes involve Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his encounters with green aliens.

      For instance, in the original Star Wars, Han demonstrates his toughness by shooting bounty hunter Greedo before Greedo can shoot him. However, in a 1997 Special Edition, Lucas softened Han's character by having Greedo shoot first, prompting Han's retaliation.

      A 2004 DVD release attempted to compromise: the shots are fired nearly simultaneously. If you watch the film on Disney+, you’ll see that version.

      Another retroactive addition to the original Star Wars was a scene featuring a CGI Jabba the Hutt, who was absent from the initial version. (He made a controversial debut in 1983’s Return of the Jedi). Jabba was added in the 1997 re-release and then slightly improved in the 2004 version.

      George Lucas has occasionally reacted defensively to fans’ responses to these changes. When asked by The Associated Press in 2004 why he wouldn’t release the original version, he replied:

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

      He added: “But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I have to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to endure criticism, so at least if they’re going to criticize me, it’s for something I love rather than something I believe is not very good or at least not finished.”

      BFI’s special screening of the original print comes at a time when Star Wars is at a pivotal point. Recently, The Wall Street Journal published an article with the headline, “Star Wars Is in a Slump. Is