Star Wars to be dubbed into Welsh for first time ahead of 50th anniversary of hit franchise

STAR Wars is set to be dubbed into Welsh for the first time. It will air from Christmas Day, ahead of the 50th anniversary of George Lucas’s hit sci-fi franchise next year. Star Wars is set to be dubbed into Welsh for the first time Credit: Alamy Star Wars will air from Christmas Day, ahead of the 50th anniversary of George Lucas’s hit sci-fi franchise next year Credit: Lucasfilm/Disney The Welsh language version of A New Hope, called Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, will be shown on TV channel S4C. Osian Morgan, of Channel 5’s docudrama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, voices Jedi Luke Skywalker, while Slow Horses actress Aimee-Ffion Edwards is Princess Leia. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Matthew Rhys will voice Han Solo, Rhys Ifans is Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Mark Lewis Jones — who played Captain Moden Canady in The Last Jedi — will become villain Darth Vader. The project is being directed by American Ellyn Stern and produced by Michael Kohn, the director of distribution for Lucasfilm, the firm behind the franchise. The move was announced yesterday by S4C, Welsh government agency Creative Wales, along with Lucasfilm and its parent company Disney. Mr Kohn said: “I have been involved in a few indigenous dubs of Star Wars over the years which 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.” Lucasfilm’s Welsh co-president, Lynwen Brennan, added: “I am so thankful that in celebration of our 50th anniversary, we have been able to work with some incredible Welsh talent to make this a reality. Most read in TV “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 the film again for the first time.” Comment now