"Rare Star Wars Cut to Screen in London"

If you thought you knew 1977’s Star Wars, think again. The version most people are familiar with isn’t the original—it’s one of several altered editions released after the film’s debut, each carefully adjusted by George Lucas himself to create what would become known as the “special editions.” However, there’s a new hope on the horizon for purists: fans may soon get the chance to see the true original cut of the film that Lucas originally envisioned.

This June, the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival will kick off with a special screening of one of the rare Technicolor prints created for the film’s initial release, still remarkably well-preserved, according to The Telegraph. This marks the first public screening of this print since December 1978, though it has appeared on some VHS releases in the past.

Lucas began tinkering with the film during its first re-release in theaters in 1981, and ever since, only various “special editions” have been authorized for screening. The print set to grace the upcoming festival is particularly noteworthy; stored at a frigid 23 degrees Fahrenheit for decades, it promises an almost flawless viewing experience.

Over the years, Lucas has consistently resisted efforts to showcase the original cut of what we now call Episode IV: A New Hope, even voicing his stance publicly.

"The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore," he told the Associated Press in 2004. "It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished."

Why Lucas is now reconsidering remains unclear, but one thing’s for sure—we’re not complaining.