IMAX 70mm to Showcase Original Star Wars Cut and Upcoming Starfighter in 2027
Lucasfilm will release the original 1977 Star Wars on IMAX 70mm for its 50th anniversary, using a newly restored print of the original theatrical cut. The upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter will also get an IMAX 70mm release, though it will be upscaled from a digital source. The original film has only been shown officially twice since 1997.
The 1977 original will premiere on IMAX 70mm on February 19, 2027, marking its first-ever IMAX presentation. This newly restored theatrical cut has only been officially screened twice since 1997, making this a rare event on massive 59-by-79-foot screens with 12-channel surround sound.
In contrast, the upcoming Starfighter was captured digitally on Sony's IMAX-certified Venice 2 cameras in 8.6K source and 4K master formats. Consequently, it requires digital upscaling to fit the 70mm format, which can exceed 14K resolution, offering a different technical experience from the analog original.
This dual release could significantly boost attendance at premium large-format theaters, as nostalgic fans and younger audiences may flock to see a historic film in its original form. It may also spark broader industry conversations about the value of preserving original theatrical cuts versus digitally remastered versions, potentially influencing how studios curate legacy franchises for anniversary events.