It was supposed not to exist anymore, or at least, to never be seen. George Lucas was very clear on that, according to rumor. The only version of Star Wars: A New Hope that existed in his dojo was the special edition.
Greedo shoots first. CGI Jabba. It was all “official” now. So it was something of a surprise when the British Film Institute announced their discovery of an original print and their plans to screen it.
Yet there it was, Star Wars in all its 1977 glory. Han shot first. Jabba remained mysterious. The Death Star just exploded. No Episode IV: A New Hope subtitle either. It was simply Star Wars.
Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy attended the screening in London on Thursday night. Kennedy spoke to the crowd and said:
“It’s incredible folklore. Even when I came into the company, there was endless conversation about where everything was, and what was in fact the first print? And it’s quite remarkable, what you’re going to see is in fact the first print, and I’m not even sure there’s another one quite like it. It’s that rare.
There’s so much tinkering that’s gone on over the years, and things that George [Lucas] decided, ‘I’m gonna change this, I’m gonna try that.’ And then, everybody kind of lost track of what it was.”
BFI chief executive Ben Roberts added that it was a miracle the print was in good enough condition to be exhibited.
Skeleton Crew understood its assignment. Andor season 2 is now nominated for all sorts of awards, and the finale topped the streaming charts. Now this.
Is Star Wars gradually getting its mojo back?
