A familiar galaxy is preparing to sound very different.
Nearly five decades have passed since George Lucas first sent audiences into a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
The 1977 film introduced Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2-D2, and the Rebel Alliance, laying the foundation for what became one of Hollywood’s largest entertainment franchises.
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford quickly became inseparable from the roles of Luke, Leia, and Han. Their performances carried the original Star Wars trilogy and continued shaping the characters across later Lucasfilm movies and Disney projects.
A New Hope remains the starting point for much of the Skywalker Saga. Its story follows Luke as he leaves Tatooine, joins the rebellion, learns about the Force, and helps launch an attack on the Empire’s Death Star.
Now, Disney and Lucasfilm are revisiting that original adventure with a completely different group of performers.
A New Cast Enters the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo have been recast for the first-ever Welsh-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope.
The newly dubbed film is titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd and has been developed by Lucasfilm and Disney in partnership with Welsh broadcaster S4C and Creative Wales.
It is not a remake, reboot, or new entry in the Skywalker Saga. The original film will instead receive a full Welsh-language soundtrack featuring a cast of Welsh actors taking over its most famous roles.
Osian Morgan will voice Luke Skywalker, replacing Mark Hamill’s original English-language performance for the new version.
Aimee-Ffion Edwards has been cast as Princess Leia, while Emmy winner Matthew Rhys will voice Han Solo. Together, they form a new version of the central trio first played by Hamill, Fisher, and Ford.
The supporting cast also includes Rhys Ifans as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mark Lewis Jones as Sith villain Darth Vader, and Llŷr Ifans as protocol droid C-3PO.
Nia Roberts will voice Aunt Beru, Richard Harrington will play Imperial officer Grand Moff Tarkin, Owain Arthur will portray Red Leader, and Rhodri Meilir will voice Gold Leader.
The Welsh-language version will premiere on S4C and its streaming platforms on Christmas Day, giving audiences a new way to watch the original battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire.
Lucasfilm said the project follows its previous work on Indigenous and minority-language versions of Star Wars, which have been created to support language preservation while bringing the franchise to new audiences.
Michael Kohn, Director of Distribution Operations at Lucasfilm, said: “I’ve been involved in a few Indigenous dubs of Star Wars over the years that aim to preserve and revitalise interest in learning the language.”
He continued: “They have been tremendously successful not only in their communities but internationally as well. The chance to celebrate the Welsh language through Star Wars is one we couldn’t pass up.”
Why Lucasfilm Is Returning to ‘A New Hope’
The announcement comes as Lucasfilm prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027.
Rather than changing the plot, characters, or visuals, Gobaith Newydd will preserve George Lucas’ original movie while allowing Welsh-speaking viewers to experience Luke Skywalker’s journey in their native language.
Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan, who was born in Pembrokeshire, said: “Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language.”
She added: “We have never before had a translation of Star Wars into Welsh and I am so thankful, that in celebration of our 50th anniversary, we have been able to work with some incredible Welsh talent to make that a reality.”
Brennan continued: “Welsh speakers will finally be able to enjoy the film in our native language and my hope is that it will have the same emotional impact as if you were watching the film again for the first time.”
The project arrives during continued debate over how Disney and Lucasfilm should handle the original Star Wars heroes in future movies and television shows.
Luke Skywalker has already returned through digital technology in Disney+ series including The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Younger versions of Leia and Han have also appeared in other projects, although Lucasfilm has remained cautious about recasting the original trio more broadly.
The Welsh edition takes a different approach. It introduces new Luke, Leia, and Han performers without replacing Hamill, Fisher, or Ford in the original English-language film.
For Welsh audiences, however, Osian Morgan, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, and Matthew Rhys will become the voices guiding viewers through Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon, the Death Star, and the final Rebel assault.
