No, I have not just had a stroke at my keyboard. That is “May The Force Be With You” in Welsh. Ahhhh, Wales. Land of the valleys. Proud nation of Henry VII, Ivor The Engine and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Now, also the land of its very own Star Wars dub.
As part of the 50th anniversary next year, the original Star Wars – A New Hope – or not, depending on how much of a zealot you are, is to be dubbed into Welsh for the first time.
Welsh television channel S4C, along with Creative Wales, are partnering with Lucasfilm and Disney for the project. The finished article will be broadcast on S4C and streamed on its on demand services from Christmas Day onwards.
The cast will include Matthew Rhys dubbing Han Solo, Osian Morgan for Luke Skywalker, Rhys Ifans for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aimee-Ffion Edwards for Princess Leia, and Mark Lewis Jones for Darth Vader.
The project will be officially titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, and will be directed by Ellyn Stern. Michael Kohn will produce.
Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan was born and raised in Wales. Clearly the chip is still firmly on his (or her?) shoulder:
“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.”
Meanwhile S4C’s Geraint Evans told the BBC:
“It’s such an iconic film to so many generations of fans across the world so we’re delighted to be working with Lucasfilm and Creative Wales to turn this ambition into reality.”
Fydd neb yn poeni am y drioleg ddilynol uffernol honno, serch hynny!
