Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope returns to movie theaters on April 30, 2027 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film that began the Star Wars franchise. Part of Lucasfilm’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Star Wars: A New Hope continues in theaters through May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day.

Originally released in U.S. theaters on May 25, 1977, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope centers on Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who joins forces with Jedi Knight Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), cocky pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford), a Wookiee named Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and two droids called C-3PO and R2-D2 (Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker), in order to save the galaxy from the Empire’s world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) from the mysterious Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones).

The film ignited the Star Wars craze. Along with movies such as Jaws, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is considered one of the first films to be coined “blockbuster.” The movie’s savvy writer/director George Lucas parlayed the film’s success through strategic licensing deals with major toy manufacturers including Kenner and Mattel.

In 1989, the Library of Congress selected Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry, for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The Empire Strikes Back was selected in 2010, and Return of the Jedi in 2021.

Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa, Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin, Alec Guinness as Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, David Prowse as Darth Vader, James Earl Jones as the iconic voice of Darth Vader, Phil Brown as Uncle Owen, Shelagh Fraser as Aunt Beru, Jack Purvis as Chief Jawa, Alex McCrindle as General Dodonna, Eddie Byrne as General Willard, Drewe Henley as Red Leader, Denis Lawson as Red Two (Wedge), Garrick Hagon as Red Three (Biggs), Jack Klaff as Red Four, William Hootkins as Red Six (Porkins), Angus MacInnes as Gold Leader, Jeremy Sinden as Gold Two, Graham Ashley as Gold Five, Don Henderson as General Taggi, Richard LeParmentier as General Motti and Leslie Schofield.

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