Disney sets Star Wars re-release for 50th anniversary

Lucasfilm and Disney The Walt Disney Company ↘ 0.52% on Thursday previewed a global celebration of Star Wars' 50th anniversary that will run through 2027. The plans center on a theatrical re-release of the original 1977 film on February 19, the second season of Ahsoka on January 20, and the new film Star Wars: Starfighter on May 28, according to Disney. The announcement came 50 days before the anniversary year begins. The companies also plan fan events, archival releases, revamped Disney Parks and Cruise Line offerings, and a new 50th anniversary logo with a newly orchestrated score by John Williams.thewaltdisneycompany.com

"It is incredibly special to mark the 50th anniversary by returning the original version of Star Wars to theaters so audiences can experience this part of film history on the big screen," Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan said in a statement reported by Rolling Stone.rollingstone.com

Screens big and small

Rosario Dawson will again star in the title role of Ahsoka when the series returns to Disney+ in January. The new season follows Ahsoka Tano as she faces Grand Admiral Thrawn, Disney said. In February, a restored version of the 1977 film will play on thousands of screens worldwide in formats including IMAX ↘ 0.92% 70mm, 35mm, 4DX and D-BOX. A new poster by Matt Ferguson pays tribute to the original 1977 artwork.thewaltdisneycompany.com

On May 4, known to fans as Star Wars Day, Disney+ will release The Hero Awakens, a documentary by R.J. Cutler about the making of the original film. It is built from archival footage and audio recorded in 1977 and was produced with This Machine, part of Sony Pictures Television, StarWars.com reported. Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy, stars Ryan Gosling and is set in an entirely new era of the saga, with all-new characters and locations, according to Rolling Stone.starwars.com+1

Events and merchandise

Star Wars Celebration will take place April 1–4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. On April 2 and 3, Anthony Daniels will host "Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga" at the Hollywood Bowl, a production that includes Live Nation ↗ 0.44% Hewitt Silva, Rolling Stone reported. The Hollywood Bowl hosted the first official Star Wars concert in November 1977, StarWars.com noted. Starting in March, Cosm will show an immersive "Shared Reality" version of the film in its venues.rollingstone.com+1

Partners on licensed products include Hasbro ↘ 0.81%, Lego, Adidas, Mars, Aston Martin ↘ 0.13% and Steinway, per Rolling Stone. Hasbro introduced figures inspired by the 1977 film, with preorders opening November 13. It also announced a Retro 3.75-inch line modeled on the original Kenner toys, which will be sold only at Target ↘ 0.85% in spring 2027. Seven Lego anniversary sets featuring minifigures based on Ralph McQuarrie concept art will go on sale January 1, StarWars.com said. Lucasfilm and Disney said they will announce more collaborations later this year and into 2027.starwars.com+1