Star Wars to Debut in Welsh for 50th Anniversary Celebration

Star Wars is to be dubbed into Welsh for the first time as the classic film prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Welsh language broadcaster S4C and Creative Wales announced the project, in partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney, at the National Eisteddfod on Tuesday. The Welsh language version of Episode IV - A New Hope will broadcast on S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day. Actor Matthew Rhys will voice Han Solo, with Rhys Ifans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia. Star Wars veteran Mark Lewis Jones, who portrayed Captain Moden Canady in Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, will take on the role of Darth Vader and Osian Morgan will voice Luke Skywalker. Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd is directed by Ellyn Stern and produced by Michael Kohn, director of distribution operations at Lucasfilm. "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." Lucasfilm co-president Lynwen Brennan, who was born and raised in Wales, said: "Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language. "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." Twin Town star Llyr Ifans, Rhys Ifans' brother, said he was six when Star Wars came out and he now had a 12-year-old son who was a fan. He said: "I'm acting C-3P0 and he's fluent in six million different languages and today he's fluent in six million and one. "Welsh is a more poetic language, we use more words than English and it's more of a beautiful language. "So it takes longer to say smaller things, so it was quite tricky." Osian Morgan, who is the Welsh Luke Skywalker, added being involved was "a real honour".