Classic Star Wars and Upcoming Starfighter to Screen in IMAX 70mm
Lucasfilm announced that the original 1977 Star Wars film will be re-released in IMAX 70mm for its 50th anniversary in 2027. The upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy, will also debut in the same format. The re-release is part of a yearlong celebration, and Starfighter is set for May 28, 2027.
The 1977 original will hit theaters on February 19, 2027, featuring a restored print and its first-ever IMAX presentation. A Welsh-language dub is also slated for the anniversary celebration.
Shawn Levy's *Starfighter* arrives on the exact anniversary weekend of the original premiere. Shot with IMAX cameras and converted to 70mm prints, the story follows a pilot and a young companion five years after the sequel trilogy, deliberately excluding legacy characters and familiar musical themes.
This dual release could significantly boost theatrical attendance by appealing to both nostalgic veterans and newcomers. The premium IMAX 70mm format may draw audiences away from streaming, reinforcing the value of communal cinema experiences. For the industry, it may establish a profitable template for celebrating major anniversaries, while the deliberate absence of legacy characters in *Starfighter* could signal a shift toward fresh narratives within established franchises.