The iconic 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope has been translated into Welsh (Cymraeg) for the very first time. Featuring voices from renowned actors like Rhys Ifans and Matthew Rhys, the dubbed version will air on Welsh channel S4C starting Christmas Day, part of a government push to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

The Force Awakens in Wales

A historic initiative that connects Celtic culture with one of the world's most beloved film franchises.

Welsh speakers will finally be able to hear Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia in their native language. According to The Guardian on August 4, 2026, a Welsh-language version of the 1977 blockbuster Star Wars: A New Hope will be broadcast on the Welsh television channel S4C and its streaming platforms starting Christmas Day.

The project was announced at the National Eisteddfod, Wales' major festival of music and poetry held this year in Pembrokeshire. The dub is titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd (Welsh for 'A New Hope'), mirroring the film's re-release title.

A Stellar Cast

The dub features a lineup of acclaimed Welsh actors lending their voices to legendary characters:

  • Rhys Ifans (known from Harry Potter and Spider-Man) voices Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
  • Matthew Rhys, an Emmy winner, is the voice of Han Solo.
  • Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Peaky Blinders) lends her voice to Princess Leia.
  • Mark Lewis Jones, who appeared in The Last Jedi (2017), becomes the Welsh Darth Vader.
  • Rising talent Osian Morgan brings Luke Skywalker to life, while Llŷr Ifans (Rhys's brother) is C-3PO.

The Goal: One Million Welsh Speakers by 2050

The production was developed by Lucasfilm and Disney in collaboration with S4C and the Welsh Government through its agency Creative Wales. This release aligns with the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027.

Lucasfilm producer Michael Kohn highlighted the success of indigenous dubbing in preserving and revitalizing interest in language learning. Meanwhile, the Welsh Government aims to have one million people speaking Welsh by 2050, and this initiative represents a massive cultural boost.

Iconic Lines in Welsh

The translation retains the magic of classic dialogues. The famous phrase May the Force be with you becomes A boed i’r Grym fod gyda chi. Meanwhile, the unforgettable opening line A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... is rendered as Amser maith yn ôl, mewn galaeth bell bell i ffwrdd...

The Historic Link Between Star Wars and Wales

The connection between the saga and Wales runs deeper than you might think. In 1979, a full-scale version of the Millennium Falcon was secretly built in a hangar in Pembroke Dock (not far from this year's Eisteddfod site) for The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It was constructed from wood and steel under the code name Magic Roundabout, though locals knew what was happening.

Additionally, scenes from the fantasy film Willow (1988) and the 2024 series Star Wars: The Acolyte were filmed on Welsh soil. Lynwen Brennan, co-president of Lucasfilm, was born in Pembrokeshire and expressed her gratitude for being able to celebrate the 50th anniversary by working with Welsh talent so that speakers can enjoy the film in their native tongue.

Source: The Guardian