The iconic Star Wars universe is getting a Welsh voice for the very first time as Cymraeg translation reaches the screen to mark the 50th anniversary of the original film, Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). In collaboration with S4C and the Welsh Government, a Welsh-language version is being prepared to bring the saga to a new audience and celebrate Welsh storytelling at a global scale.
Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan expressed pride in the project, noting Wales’ deep storytelling heritage and the language’s lyrical beauty. She emphasized that this is a historic moment—Welsh speakers will soon experience the film in their native tongue, with the emotional resonance of watching it anew.
Rhun Ap Iorwerth, the Welsh First Minister, highlighted the enduring appeal of Star Wars and welcomed a Welsh-language version voiced by some of the country’s finest actors. He also remarked on Wales’ ongoing reputation for world-class TV and film production, and his excitement to see Star Wars in Welsh later this year.
Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd features a cast of Welsh voices including Matthew Rhys as Han Solo, Osian Morgan as Luke Skywalker, Rhys Ifans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia, and Mark Lewis Jones stepping into Darth Vader’s iconic role. The project marks a notable chapter in Wales’ long association with Star Wars, which stretches back decades—from the construction of a full-size Millennium Falcon in 1979 to the filming of subsequent productions in Welsh locations.
Beyond the big screen, the Welsh government has set an ambitious goal: one million Welsh speakers by 2050. The latest census data from 2021 showed a decline in fluent Welsh speakers compared with ten years earlier, underscoring the importance of initiatives like this translation for language preservation. Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd is slated to air on S4C and its platforms starting Christmas Day.
