Fury as taxpayers pick up £100,000 bill to make Welsh language version of Star Wars

DUBBING Star Wars into Welsh has cost taxpayers £100,000 — in a move blasted as “completely out of touch”. The new version has been produced by Lucasfilm and Disney, helped by the cash from the Welsh Government. Dubbing Star Wars movies into Welsh has cost taxpayers a total sum of £100,000 Credit: Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys voices Han Solo in the dubbed version of A New Hope Credit: Getty Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys voices Han Solo and Osian Morgan is Jedi Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd — the fresh take on 1977 classic A New Hope. But the six-figure bill has been criticised by senior Tory Welsh Parliament member Janet Finch-Saunders. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! She said the “focus of the Welsh Government should instead be on tackling the challenges facing the Welsh NHS”. She added: “We champion the Welsh language but the Welsh Government’s priorities appear completely out of touch.” Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan, born and raised in Wales, said: “Welsh speakers will finally be able to enjoy the film in our native language and my hope is it will have the same emotional impact as if you were watching it again for the first time.” The film will air on Christmas Day on TV channel S4C ahead of the original’s 50th anniversary next year. Comment now