Star Wars: A New Hope will be dubbed into Welsh for the first time and broadcast on the Welsh-language television channel S4C starting on Christmas Day. The release is timed to precede the 50th anniversary of the original Star Wars film, which will be marked next year.

The Welsh-language version, titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, is the result of a collaboration between S4C, the Welsh government agency Creative Wales, Lucasfilm, and its parent company Disney. The project is directed by Ellyn Stern, an American, and produced by Michael Kohn, Lucasfilm’s director of distribution.

Kohn, who has previously been involved in producing indigenous language dubs of Star Wars, said the initiative aims to both celebrate the Welsh language and encourage its revitalization among new audiences. “The chance to celebrate the Welsh language through Star Wars is one we couldn’t pass up,” he remarked.

Lynwen Brennan, co-president of Lucasfilm’s Welsh operations, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Welsh talent on the production. She said that giving Welsh speakers the ability to experience the film in their native language was an important milestone, noting her hope that the dubbed version would evoke the same emotional response as watching the film for the first time.

This project marks a broader trend within the franchise to provide localized versions that support language preservation efforts. Welsh, a Celtic language spoken by a minority in Wales, has been the focus of increased cultural initiatives in recent years.

The dubbed film is expected to make a significant cultural impact in Wales by combining a globally recognized franchise with efforts to promote the Welsh language and heritage.