Star Wars is entering a new era as Lucasfilm prepares to bring the galaxy far, far away to audiences in a way it never has before.
Ahead of the franchise's 50th anniversary in 2027, Disney, Lucasfilm, Welsh broadcaster S4C, and Creative Wales have announced the first-ever Welsh-language version of George Lucas' original Star Wars film (1977).
Titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, the project will see Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977) completely redubbed in Welsh, introducing one of the most iconic movies of all time to a brand-new audience.
The official teaser, released by S4C, gives fans their first look at the Welsh version of the opening crawl, including the famous phrase “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” which has been translated as “Amser maith yn ôl, mewn galaeth bell, bell i ffwrdd.”
Watch the official teaser:
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The translation also brings a new version of one of the franchise's most recognizable lines. “May the Force be with you” becomes “Bydded y Grym Gyda Chi” in Welsh.
The project is part of Lucasfilm's celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Star Wars, which began with George Lucas' 1977 film before expanding into a global multimedia franchise spanning movies, television, animation, comics, video games, merchandise, and theme parks.
Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope follows young farmhand Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he discovers his destiny after meeting Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). Alongside smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and droids C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), Luke becomes part of the fight against the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader (James Earl Jones).
The Welsh redub, however, will feature an entirely new voice cast, including Osian Morgan as Luke Skywalker, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia, Matthew Rhys as Han Solo, Rhys Ifans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mark Lewis Jones as Darth Vader, and Llŷr Ifans as C-3PO.
Additional cast members include Nia Roberts as Aunt Beru, Richard Harrington as Grand Moff Tarkin, Owain Arthur as Red Leader, and Rhodri Meilir as Gold Leader.
Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan described the project as a celebration of Welsh storytelling, saying the language “has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language.”
She added that “Welsh speakers will finally be able to enjoy the film in our native language” and expressed hope that the film would have “the same emotional impact as if you were watching the film again for the first time.”
Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd premieres on S4C and its streaming platforms on Christmas Day.
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