Lucasfilm's Kennedy Debunks 1977 Star Wars Cut Myth

The British Film Institute recently showcased the original 1977 print of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy clarifying that the historic screening was perfectly legal.

During her introduction at the BFI Film on Film Festival in London on June 12, Kennedy humorously reassured attendees, "I'm here to confirm this screening isn't unauthorized," as reported by GamesRadar.

"This print represents fascinating cinematic history," Kennedy elaborated. "Even when I joined Lucasfilm, there were ongoing debates about its whereabouts—which version truly was the first theatrical print? What you'll witness tonight is that authentic first edition, possibly unique in existence. Over decades of revisions, with George Lucas constantly refining elements, the original version became somewhat lost to time."

Kathleen Kennedy clarifies: The BFI's screening of Star Wars' original cut isn't illegal

— Jacob Stolworthy (@JacobStolworthy) June 12, 2025

This marked the first public projection of the 1977 original print since 1978, though it had seen limited VHS releases. The Telegraph reported in April that the film reels were preserved at -5°C (23°F) to maintain optimal quality.

"We're presenting the film exactly as 1977 audiences experienced it," explained the BFI. "Screened from one of the rare dye-transfer Technicolor prints created for the UK premiere and maintained in our National Archive, this print shows expected archival wear while retaining remarkably vibrant colors—a truly historic viewing opportunity."

Assessing Star Wars' Special Edition Revisions

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Notably, Lucas has historically resisted re-releasing the original cut, instead favoring his revised 1997 Special Edition—which introduced numerous changes and became the standard version available to audiences.