Imagine watching Star Wars without hearing a single word of its legendary, five-decade-old script. No Harrison Ford smirk behind “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” and no iconic English opening crawl drifting into the stars.
That’s exactly what Disney and Lucasfilm are delivering this winter, as they officially replace the film’s classic dialogue and text for a groundbreaking new release.
Related: Lucasfilm Makes Permanent Changes to the Original ‘Star Wars’ Movie
This drastic audio overhaul belongs to Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, a complete Welsh-language version of A New Hope (1977). Arriving on S4C and its streaming platforms on Christmas Day 2026, the project aims to give Welsh-speaking fans a rare opportunity to connect with the galaxy far, far away in their own language.
Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan expressed pride in the project last August, stating she hopes the native-language translation will make audiences feel like they are watching the classic for the very first time.
To pull this off, the original cast has been completely replaced in the sound booth by a stellar lineup of Welsh talent. The new audio features Matthew Rhys (Han Solo), Rhys Ifans (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Princess Leia), Mark Lewis Jones (Darth Vader), and Osian Morgan (Luke Skywalker).
Crucially, Disney isn’t erasing history; the original English version is still returning to cinemas in February 2027 to celebrate the movie’s 50th anniversary. The milestone year will also feature a new Star Wars exhibition and new comic book lines like Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles and Star Wars: Triple Take.
However, this Welsh-language adaptation stands out as an unprecedented stylistic shift for the franchise, redefining how a whole new audience experiences George Lucas’s universe.
What do you think about these dialogue changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
