Star Wars is receiving its first official Welsh-language dub to mark the franchise's 50th anniversary. Titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, this version of A New Hope features a cast of prominent Welsh actors delivering the iconic lines in their native language.
Matthew Rhys leads the cast as Han Solo, with Rhys Ifans providing the voice for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Aimee-Ffion Edwards joins them as Princess Leia, while Mark Lewis Jones takes on the role of Darth Vader. The production is a collaboration between Lucasfilm, Disney, S4C, and the Welsh Government.
Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan noted that the project is intended to honor the lyrical nature of the Welsh language. She stated that the goal is to provide Welsh speakers with a fresh perspective on the film, capturing the same impact as a first-time viewing.
The project premieres on S4C and its associated platforms on Christmas Day this year. It arrives during a period of growth for the Welsh film industry, which has seen increased output with projects like Madfabulous and Lluest. Fans can expect the classic opening crawl to appear in Welsh as well.