Well, the 48th birthday for Star Wars has been and gone. Though many of us celebrate May 4th as our annual holiday, May 25th is truly where it all began. In just under two years our saga will celebrate half a century and judging from previous anniversaries we may be able to make some predictions at how things might pan out.
What We Know Already
There are two massive events already booked in the calendar for 2027. The first being Celebration taking place 1st – 4th April at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. We can hopefully expect this to be a huge party and with-it taking place in the home of Hollywood, surely some of the saga’s biggest names will swing by to celebrate this milestone.
Happening a few weeks later is the confirmed release of the next theatrical film after The Mandalorian & Grogu with the release of Star Wars: Starfighter releasing on May 28 2027. Though Lucasfilm don’t have the best track record of film development post Episode IX, they did make a big deal of confirming that cameras roll in the fall of this year with Shawn Levy at the helm and Ryan Gosling taking centre stage.
What Could Happen:
Anniversary Release
As has become the norm the past few years, we can probably expect Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope to have a full-scale re-release in cinemas around the world. This has proved successful thus far with Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace and, especially, Revenge of the Sith. But which version? It would be a real treat for fans if Lucasfilm released the original cut from 1977 in cinemas. This version of the film will be playing at the BFI Uncut Festival this summer in London, so it’s not completely out of the question. Heck, they could even release a few versions, and we’d go to them all.
A New Documentary
The last time we had something substantial and brand new was the exquisite Empire of Dreams that came with the 2004 DVD release. This making-of film has never been surpassed in my book but perhaps something could release of Disney+ to mark this massive occasion. How one would top Empire of Dreams I don’t know, but it seems like a missed opportunity not do something. It could also not only celebrate the original film but also the saga as a whole.
Star Wars In Concert
It’s become the norm lately to see many blockbuster and classic films shown live in concert accompanied by a live orchestra. It’s happening with the original trilogy in Birmingham in October and with The Force Awakens at the Royal Albert Hall in November. A substantial worldwide tour of A New Hope could prove to be a hit. It’s pop culture meets high culture with these sorts of things and often prove popular. Perhaps the tour could include a travelling selection of props too.
Star Wars Themed Disney Parks Events
There’s no reason why 2027 can’t be a year long party. It would be silly not to hold events at any of the Disney parks around the world with special shows, parades and updates to Star Tours. Perhaps Galaxy’s Edge could expand? Anything is up for grabs.
Special Merchandise
By far the greatest toy line of the so-called ‘modern’ era, for me at least, was the 2007 30th Anniversary Action Figure Line by Hasbro. Let’s please return to something like that. Perhaps in 2027 we could see the much-requested Death Star Haslab come to fruition or a new range of figures. It’s a safe bet that we’ll have new books, clothing, toys and collectables to mark the occasion so it’s best to get those wallets looking healthy right now.
Of course, I’m saying all this, and Disney might just let it pass by with a panel at Celebration Los Angeles and a few new t-shirts up for sale. I’d like to think that won’t be the case, however, as it really will be a galactic anniversary worthy of the Heavens. To be brutal, there’s only a handful of the original players left with George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels being the obvious. I hope Lucasfilm and Disney are already hunched over their desks and hard at work to make it a year to remember.
