Lucasfilm President Surprises Fans at BFI Film Festival

London, England – Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy made an unexpected appearance on the opening night of the BFI Film on Film Festival, where the ultra-rare, original first print of George Lucas’ ‘Star Wars‘ was screened. The film’s original release sparked excitement among fans as it was revealed that this print had been discovered and would be shown publicly for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The BFI’s announcement earlier this year highlighted the significance of this discovery. Many ‘Star Wars’ fans know Lucas has expressed his discontent with the original print for years, preferring to alter the movie in subsequent editions. Notably, the 1977 release does not include the film’s famous subtitle, ‘Episode IV: A New Hope,’ in its opening crawl.

One of the most debated scenes in ‘Star Wars’ revolves around Han Solo’s confrontation with the bounty hunter Greedo in the Mos Eisley cantina. In the 1997 re-release, Lucas altered the scene so that Greedo shoots first, sparking the iconic phrase, ‘Han shot first,’ among the fan community.

In a previous interview with the Associated Press, Lucas commented on the affection audiences showed toward the original film, stating, ‘I’m sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it, but I want it to be the way I want it to be.’ This statement reflects the mixed feelings surrounding the newly revealed original print.

At the festival, Kennedy addressed attendees by emphasizing her role in ‘legitimizing’ the screening of the original print. She acknowledged the reservations some ‘Star Wars’ fans felt about seeing a version that Lucas might not endorse. BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts called it a ‘miracle’ that the print was in good enough condition for public viewing.

“It’s incredible folklore,” Kennedy remarked. “Even when I came into the company, there was endless conversation about where everything was. It’s quite remarkable what you’re going to see.” She confirmed the film seen at the festival is indeed the first print, making it a unique experience for attendees.

Kennedy also shared insights into the future of the ‘Star Wars’ franchise. She explained that every new creator brought into the Lucasfilm team starts with Lucas’ 1977 film as the ‘gold standard’ for storytelling. The franchise is expanding, with a new project, ‘Starfighter,’ directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, set to enter production shortly.

“We’re in a position where it’s broadened the possibility of stories and filmmakers we can bring in to share narratives that resonate,” Kennedy added, looking optimistically toward new standalone stories within the ‘Star Wars’ universe.