Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd will premiere on S4C at Christmas with Matthew Rhys, Rhys Ifans and Aimee-Ffion Edwards leading the first Welsh-language version.
The Welsh premiere begins Christmas Day on S4C
Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, the first Welsh-language version of A New Hope, will premiere on S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day 2026. The project arrives ahead of the film's 50th anniversary in 2027 and is a partnership among S4C, Creative Wales, Lucasfilm and Disney.
Matthew Rhys leads the Welsh voice cast
Matthew Rhys voices Han Solo, Rhys Ifans is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aimee-Ffion Edwards is Princess Leia, Mark Lewis Jones is Darth Vader and Osian Morgan is Luke Skywalker. Llyr Ifans, Nia Roberts, Richard Harrington, Owain Arthur and Rhodri Meilir take other familiar roles in the localized cast.
Ellyn Stern directs the Lucasfilm-approved performance
Ellyn Stern directs the Welsh-language performance, and Michael Kohn produces for Lucasfilm Distribution Operations. A localized version requires more than replacing dialogue word for word: timing, performance and terminology must fit existing images while making the adventure natural for Welsh-speaking audiences.
The production extends Star Wars' existing Welsh ties
The announcement also highlights the franchise's connections to Wales. The Millennium Falcon was constructed at Pembroke Dock in 1979, and later Lucasfilm productions including Willow and The Acolyte filmed in the country. Those links provide context for the collaboration without changing the original film's production history.
Availability outside S4C remains unspecified
S4C says the version will be available from Christmas Day, but exact platform windows outside its services are not specified. This is an authorized language edition, not a new edit or remake. Viewers should consult S4C for schedules, accessibility options and geographic availability as the premiere approaches.
