Star Wars will be shown in Welsh for the first time on S4C from Christmas Day, bringing the 1977 blockbuster to Welsh speakers as Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd (New Hope). The announcement means that, for the first time, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia will be heard in Cymraeg on Welsh television.
The project was announced at the National Eisteddfod on Tuesday by S4C and Creative Wales, in partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney. It comes as the original film prepares to mark its 50th anniversary in 2027.
The Welsh version of Episode IV - A New Hope will broadcast on S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day. Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd is directed by Ellyn Stern and produced by Michael Kohn, director of distribution operations at Lucasfilm.
The project brings together Rhys Ifans, Matthew Rhys, Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Mark Lewis Jones among the actors voicing characters in the film. Rhys Ifans voices Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Matthew Rhys voices Han Solo, Aimee-Ffion Edwards is Princess Leia, and Mark Lewis Jones is the Welsh Darth Vader. Rising talent Osian Morgan voices Luke Skywalker, and Rhys Ifans’s brother, Llŷr Ifans, voices C-3PO. The Ifans siblings won plaudits for their 1997 cult film Twin Town.
Mark Lewis Jones, who portrayed Captain Moden Canady in The Last Jedi, will take on the role of Darth Vader. The second source also described him as a Star Wars veteran.
The announcement was made at the National Eisteddfod, held this year in the Garreg Las area near Cardigan, North 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, Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, reflects the film’s later reissue title, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
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.”
“We're really excited about this project for many reasons,” Kohn said.
“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.
“The chance to celebrate the Welsh language through Star Wars is one we couldn't pass up.”
There are a number of links between Star Wars and Wales, including the secretive building of the Millennium Falcon in an old hangar in the far south-west of the Celtic nation. A version of the ship was built not far from the current Eisteddfod site, in Pembroke Dock, west Wales.
The craft was built out of wood and steel in 1979 for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1980, under the code name “Magic Roundabout”, although local people knew what was happening. 
Scenes for Lucasfilm’s 1988 fantasy film Willow and the 2024 television series Star Wars: The Acolyte were also shot in Wales. The second source said scenes from The Acolyte were filmed across Bannau Brycheiniog.
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.”
The second source said Brennan was born and raised in Wales.
Geraint Evans, the chief executive, said the project offered an opportunity to promote the language. The second source quoted him as saying S4C was “thrilled” when Lucasfilm approached it to partner on producing a Welsh version of Star Wars: A New Hope.
“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.”
“We were thrilled when Lucasfilm approached us to partner on producing a Welsh version of Star Wars: A New Hope.
“It's such an iconic film to so many generations of fans across the world so we're delighted to be working with them and Creative Wales to turn this ambition into reality.”
The Welsh government is aiming to have a million people speaking Cymraeg by 2050.
Star Wars may help a little. The Welsh first minister, who is fluent in Welsh, said the film was one of the most influential of his childhood. The second source named him as Rhun ap Iorwerth and said the Welsh-language version would be seen later this year.
“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.”
“Star Wars was one of the most influential films of my childhood and its appeal shows no sign of waning, captivating audiences to this day.
“To see a Welsh language version of this iconic film, 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 later this year.”
And yes, there is a translation for “May the force be with you”: “A boed i’r Grym fod gyda chi.”
As for the opening line, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …” the Welsh version is: “Amser maith yn ôl, mewn galaeth bell bell i ffwrdd ...”
Star Wars is one of the most successful movie and media franchises of all time, spanning hit films, spin-off TV series, books, attractions and merchandise. The original 1977 film was directed by George Lucas and starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Sir Alec Guinness.
How does this fit into Wales’s Star Wars history?
Wales has long played a role in Star Wars projects, with a full-size Millennium Falcon built at Pembroke Dock in 1979 for The Empire Strikes Back, as well as scenes from the TV series The Acolyte shot across Bannau Brycheiniog. Those links add local context to the first Welsh-language dub of the franchise.
Why is S4C airing it on Christmas Day?
S4C is using the festive broadcast to introduce a landmark Welsh-language version of a globally recognised film. The channel and its partners say the project is intended both to celebrate Welsh talent and to promote Cymraeg to new and existing audiences.
Key Facts
- Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd will air on S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day.
- The project was announced at the National Eisteddfod on Tuesday.
- Rhys Ifans, Matthew Rhys, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Mark Lewis Jones and Osian Morgan are among the Welsh voice cast.
- Lucasfilm, Disney, S4C and Creative Wales are partnering on the production.
- The film is being released as the original Star Wars nears its 50th anniversary in 2027.
