Lucasfilm has confirmed the two theatrical releases that will anchor the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027. A restored presentation of George Lucas’s 1977 original will play alongside Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, in the studio’s first significant slate announcement under its new leadership.
The releases sit at the center of what Lucasfilm has billed as its “Global Year-Long Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Star Wars.” The franchise-wide program bookends nearly five decades of the property with the movie that started it all and the latest addition to the saga.
New Leadership, Inherited Pipeline
The Disney-owned studio is now led by Dave Filoni, co-president and chief creative officer, and Lynwen Brennan, co-president. The pair took over after Kathleen Kennedy stepped down in early 2026. They inherited a development roster with plenty of announced projects but comparatively few in active production.
That gap dates back to Star Wars Celebration 2023, where Kennedy unveiled three features spanning the franchise timeline. James Mangold was attached to Dawn of the Jedi, which would explore the origins of the Force. Filoni was set to direct a film set in the New Republic era tied to the so-called Mando-Verse, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was slated for a story about the New Jedi Order. None of the three has been formally canceled, but reports have raised questions about the future of each.
The studio has since moved other titles ahead of them. Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu opened in May 2026. Starfighter, unveiled at last year’s Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, likewise jumped ahead of the earlier announcements.
The Official Slate
Lucasfilm outlined the two tentpoles as follows:
“Tentpole Theatrical Releases:
Star Wars (1977): Screenings of the original 1977 version of Star Wars, in cinemas nationwide starting 19 February. In addition to the previously announced IMAX 70mm screenings, the film will also be presented in Digital IMAX, Digital Cinema, 70mm, 35mm, and 4DX and other motion cinemas. Ticket on sale information to follow. 50th anniversary rerelease key art by Matt Ferguson.
“Star Wars: Starfighter”: The all-new adventure from filmmaker Shawn Levy starring Ryan Gosling hits screens worldwide May 28. The film will be released in a wide variety of formats including IMAX 70mm in a select number of IMAX film locations, with more formats to be announced.”
A Return to the Original Title
The 1977 release will return under its original name. When Star Wars first premiered, it carried neither a subtitle nor an episode number. The film was retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ahead of its theatrical re-release on April 10, 1981, and has kept that title for more than 40 years.
The newly restored version opens February 19, 2027. It is accompanied by new anniversary key art from Matt Ferguson featuring Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia.
Starfighter Moves Past the Sequel Era
Starfighter marks a forward push for the franchise’s big-screen storytelling. Levy is best known for directing Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). His film stars Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon and is set after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The ensemble includes Flynn Gray, Amy Adams, Mia Goth, Matt Smith, and Aaron Pierre. The film opens worldwide May 28, 2027.
Streaming Commitments
Lucasfilm’s 2027 activity also extends to Disney+. Ahsoka Season 2 premieres January 20, 2027, and Filoni is developing a second season of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord.
What This Means for You
Moviegoers should watch for ticketing details on the February 19 screenings, which Lucasfilm says will follow, and choose a preferred format early. Premium options such as IMAX 70mm typically have limited availability. Starfighter fans can mark May 28, and streaming audiences can begin with Ahsoka on January 20.
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