There are a few links between the Star Wars franchise and Wales, including the secretive building of the Millennium Falcon in an old hangar in the far south-west of the Celtic nation.
But until now speakers of Welsh – Cymraeg – have not been able to hear the words of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia spoken in their own language.
On Tuesday, however, it was revealed that a Welsh-language version of the 1977 blockbuster Star Wars will be shown on the Welsh television channel S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day.
Rhys Ifans, who has appeared in Harry Potter and Spider-Man films as well as Notting Hill, voices the Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Matthew Rhys, a winner of a Primetime Emmy, voices Han Solo, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards, best known for her roles in Peaky Blinders and Slow Horses, is Princess Leia.
Mark Lewis Jones, who had a role in the 2017 Star Wars film The Last Jedi, is the Welsh Darth Vader.
The rising talent Osian Morgan voices Luke Skywalker, and Rhys Ifans’s brother, Llŷr Ifans, C-3PO. The Ifans siblings won plaudits for their 1997 cult film Twin Town.
The announcement was made at the National Eisteddfod, the vast music and poetry festival taking place in Pembrokeshire.
The Welsh version of the film has been produced by Lucasfilm and Disney in collaboration with S4C and the Welsh government via its Creative Wales agency. Its Welsh title is Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd (New Hope), reflecting the 1977 film’s later title on reissue, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
The producer Michael Kohn, the director of distribution operations at Lucasfilm, said the company was excited about the project, which coincides with the movie’s 50th anniversary in 2027.
“I’ve been involved in a few Indigenous dubs of Star Wars over the years that aim to preserve and revitalise interest in learning the language,” Kohn said. “They have been tremendously successful not only in their communities but internationally as well. The chance to celebrate the Welsh language through Star Wars is one we couldn’t pass up.”
A version of the Millennium Falcon was created at a hangar at Pembroke Dock, not far from the current Eisteddfod site. Built out of wood and steel in 1979 for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1980, it was constructed under the code name “Magic Roundabout”, though local people knew what was going on.
Scenes for Lucasfilm’s 1988 fantasy film Willow and the 2024 television series Star Wars: The Acolyte were also shot in Wales.
Another Welsh connection is the Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan, who was born in Pembrokeshire.
“Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language,” Brennan said. “We have never before had a translation of Star Wars into Welsh and I am so thankful, that in celebration of our 50th anniversary, we have been able to work with some incredible Welsh talent to make that a reality.
“Welsh speakers will finally be able to enjoy the film in our native language and my hope is that it will have the same emotional impact as if you were watching the film again for the first time.”
Geraint Evans, the S4C chief executive, said: “It’s such an iconic film to so many generations of fans across the world. It’s a fantastic opportunity to promote the Welsh language.”
The Welsh government is aiming to have a million people speaking Cymraeg by 2050.
Star Wars may help a little. The Welsh first minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, who is fluent in Welsh, said it was one of the most influential films of his childhood.
“Its appeal shows no sign of waning,” he said. “To see a Welsh-language version, using the talents of some of our best actors, is fantastic. We already produce world-class TV and film here in Wales and I’m really looking forward to seeing Star Wars in Welsh.”
And yes, there is a very nice translation for “May the force be with you”: “A boed i’r Grym fod gyda chi.”
As for the beloved opening line, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …” : “Amser maith yn ôl, mewn galaeth bell bell i ffwrdd …”
