Original Star Wars Hits Theaters Again, Han Finally Shoots First
The legendary 1977 sci-fi classic is making a triumphant return to the big screen for a special anniversary event. This is a rare chance to see the film in its unaltered form, a version that hasn't been publicly shown in decades. Get ready to experience the galaxy far, far away as it was originally envisioned.
Get ready to travel back to 1977. The iconic space opera that started it all is set for a major theatrical comeback to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Mark your calendars for February 19, 2027, because this isn't just any re-release. For the first time in nearly half a century, audiences will have the opportunity to see the movie exactly as it first appeared, without any of the later digital alterations. According to a report from Gizmodo, there's even a chance this cinematic event could be presented in IMAX, though Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to make an official statement.
Correcting a Controversial Change
For many long-time fans, the most significant part of this news is the restoration of one of the film's most debated moments. The infamous "Han shot first" controversy will finally be put to rest on the big screen. In the original theatrical version, the smuggler Han Solo coolly dispatches the bounty hunter Greedo in the Mos Eisley cantina without hesitation. However, in the 1997 Special Edition, George Lucas himself altered the sequence to show Greedo firing a clumsy shot first, reframing Han's action as self-defense.
This upcoming release promises to erase that change, along with the even more bizarre addition from the 2019 Disney+ version where Greedo nonsensically yells "Maclunkey!" right before his demise. The film will once again present Han Solo as the decisive, morally ambiguous character audiences first met.
A History of Digital Tinkering
The Greedo scene is just one of many modifications the movie has undergone over the decades. The 1997 Special Edition famously inserted a computer-generated Jabba the Hutt into a previously deleted scene. Other tweaks have been more subtle, like Luke Skywalker's lightsaber inexplicably changing from blue to green and back again in certain shots. Another notable omission from the Special Edition was a brief moment where Han and Luke shoot Imperial Officers during their escape from the Death Star.
These constant revisions have been a point of contention for years, with many viewers arguing that the changes detract from the film's original charm and grit. This 50th-anniversary screening represents a unique chance to experience the movie that captured the world's imagination, free from decades of digital revisions.