As Lucasfilm prepares to celebrate the monumental 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027, the studio is honoring the saga’s legacy by breaking entirely new ground.
In a joint effort with Creative Wales, Disney, and Welsh broadcaster S4C, the original 1977 film is being redubbed to bring the galaxy far, far away to Welsh audiences for the very first time.
Star Wars: A New Hope Gets a New Cast
The project, officially titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, will see the beloved performances of the original cast reimagined by a brand-new roster of talent.
Among the star-studded Welsh lineup—which includes Osian Morgan as Luke Skywalker and Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia—is a particularly exciting casting choice that directly connects the new dub to the modern Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Mark Lewis Jones has been chosen to voice the iconic Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, replacing James Earl Jones in the film. This marks a theatrical homecoming for Jones (the former), who previously appeared in live-action as the First Order’s Captain Moden Canady in 2017’s Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
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Now, fans will get to hear the veteran actor trade his First Order uniform for the heavy breathing and booming commands of the Empire’s most feared enforcer.
Taking on a character so closely associated with the late James Earl Jones is no small undertaking, making this casting particularly intriguing.
The groundbreaking Welsh-language edition is set to make its official debut on S4C and its streaming platforms on Christmas Day. No Disney+ date for the dub has been announced yet.
Are you excited to hear a The Last Jedi veteran voice the galaxy’s most iconic villain? What do you think of Lucasfilm bringing A New Hope to life in Welsh? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
