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‘Star Wars’ premieres through the years
From the 1970s to the 1990s and still today, Star Wars has always been a box office draw. But what is it about the franchise that keeps fans lining up? In this LiveNOW & Then full episode, we’ll look back at how media coverage of the movies looked with each passing generation.
The iconic "Star Wars" franchise will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a re-release of the original 1977 film.
The news was confirmed on the official "Star Wars" website. The classic "Star Wars" movie, later renamed "Star Wars: A New Hope," will have a limited run in theaters "everywhere."
Star Wars 50th anniversary
What we know:
The "Star Wars" original will be re-released on Feb. 19, 2027 as part of a yearlong celebration of the franchise’s 50th anniversary.
What we don't know:
It’s unclear what else legendary "Star Wars" creator George Lucas has in store for the milestone, but fans are urged to "keep your eyes" on the "Star Wars" website for more details on what they’re calling a "once-in-generation" event.
FILE - American actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford on the "Star Wars" set in 1977 (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
The backstory:
When Lucas’ film company Lucasfilm celebrated the franchise’s 20th anniversary in 1997, Lucas re-released the original "Star Wars" trilogy, but with new scenes and special effects.
The 2027 release will be the original film from 1977.
By the numbers:
There are 13 movies in the "Star Wars" franchise, according to its website. Data compiled by Entertainment Weekly from Box Office Mojo shows the films have grossed more than $10 billion worldwide at the box office alone. That figure doesn’t include TV spinoffs, theme parks, video games, toys and more.
RELATED: ‘Star Wars’ re-releases are still a box office force nearly half a century later
In 2012, Disney purchased Lucasfilm for $4 billion.
Lucas museum to open in Los Angeles
What's next:
Lucas plans to open a $1 billion, 300,000-square-foot museum in Los Angeles in September 2026 ahead of the "Star Wars" 50th anniversary.
According to FOX 11, the museum will house works by artists including Frida Kahlo and Norman Rockwell, alongside the Lucas Archives featuring models, props, concept art and costumes from Lucas’ filmmaking career.
The Source: This report includes information from the official "Star Wars" website, Entertainment Weekly, Box Office Mojo and FOX 11.