Few movies have had quite the cultural impact of Star Wars: A New Hope (1977).
George Lucas' original space opera became an instant phenomenon, spawning prequels, sequels, television shows, video games, theme park attractions, and countless other forms of merchandise and media.
Now, almost 50 years after its theatrical debut, the film is getting a very different kind of release.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Star Wars franchise, and the celebrations are already beginning. One of the most unusual will arrive this Christmas Day, when a new Welsh-language version of A New Hope premieres on S4C and its streaming platforms.
Known officially as Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, the project is the first official Welsh-language version of the movie. It has been created by Disney and Lucasfilm in partnership with Welsh broadcaster S4C and Creative Wales, bringing an entirely new voice cast to one of the most recognizable movies ever made.
Related: Disney+ Recasts Luke Skywalker After 49 Years, New ‘Star Wars’ Actor Confirmed
The project also has an unexpected connection to Star Wars‘ infamous history with Christmas television.
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) was broadcast by CBS on November 17, 1978, more than a year after A New Hope premiered. Although it aired shortly before Thanksgiving, its “Life Day” storyline and focus on Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) returning home to his family have caused it to become closely associated with the Christmas season.
Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) all appeared in the special. However, it was heavily criticized by audiences and critics and is not considered part of current Star Wars canon, although Life Day itself has since entered official continuity.
Nearly five decades later, Star Wars is getting another Christmas release — but this one is considerably more straightforward.
A Welsh Star Wars Adventure
Gobaith Newydd retells the story of the original movie with an entirely Welsh voice cast, following Luke Skywalker (voiced by Osian Morgan) as he leaves Tatooine and joins Obi-Wan Kenobi (Rhys Ifans), Han Solo (Matthew Rhys), Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Princess Leia (Aimee-Ffion Edwards) in the fight against the Galactic Empire.
The voice cast also includes Mark Lewis Jones as Darth Vader, Llŷr Ifans as C-3PO, Nia Roberts as Aunt Beru, Richard Harrington as Grand Moff Tarkin, Owain Arthur as Red Leader, and Rhodri Meilir as Gold Leader.
S4C has already released an official teaser featuring the movie's opening text crawl in Welsh:
Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan said the project was made possible as part of the franchise's 50th anniversary celebrations, describing Welsh as a “beautiful lyrical language” and noting that Star Wars had never previously been officially translated into Welsh.
Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd will premiere on S4C and its streaming platforms on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
What do you think of Star Wars receiving a special Christmas Day release? Would you watch the movie in Welsh? Let us know in the comments below!
