Editing Star Wars (film) (section)

== Post-release ==

=== Theatrical re-releases ===
{{See also|Changes in Star Wars re-releases}}
[[File:Opening crawl.jpg|thumb|upright|The film's opening features the ''Star Wars'' logotype. The 1981 theatrical re-release  added ''Episode IV'' and ''A New Hope'' to the start of the text crawl.]]

''Star Wars'' was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981, and 1982.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pAjYCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT344 |title=Star Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies |date=2015 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-1-4950-4608-7 |access-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131212344/https://books.google.com/books?id=pAjYCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT344 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Subtitle (titling)|subtitles]] ''Episode IV'' and ''A New Hope'' were added for the 1981 re-release.<ref name="Lucasfilmname">{{cite web |title=Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope |url=http://lucasfilm.com/star-wars-episode-4-a-new-hope |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215040725/http://lucasfilm.com/star-wars-episode-4-a-new-hope |archive-date=February 15, 2014 |access-date=December 22, 2014 |publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J. W. |title=The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back |date=2010 |publisher=Random House Worlds |isbn=978-0-345-50961-1 |edition=First |pages=n241–n243 |language=English |oclc=657407687}}</ref>{{Efn|In ''The Cinema of George Lucas'', Marcus Hearn claims the title was changed earlier, in July 1978 (Hearn 2005, p.124).}} The subtitles brought the film into line with its 1980 sequel, which was released as ''Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back''.<ref name="inverse">{{cite magazine |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=April 11, 2018 |title=When Did 'Star Wars' Become 'A New Hope?' 37 Years Ago, Everything Changed |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/43533-star-wars-a-new-hope-title-change-episode-iv-1981-1977 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824183310/https://www.inverse.com/article/43533-star-wars-a-new-hope-title-change-episode-iv-1981-1977 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |magazine=Inverse |quote=}}</ref> Lucas claims the subtitles were intended from the beginning, but were dropped for ''Star Wars'' to avoid confusing audiences.<ref>{{cite magazine |year=1980 |title=Interview: George Lucas |url=http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/specialreports/banthatracks/archives/banthatracks08.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623142537/http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/specialreports/banthatracks/archives/banthatracks08.pdf |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |magazine=Bantha Tracks |publisher=Lucasfilm, Ltd. |location=Universal City, CA |pages=1–2 |issue=8 |quote= |editor=Craig Miller}}</ref> Kurtz said they considered calling the first film Episode III, IV, or V.<ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Chris |date=September 27, 2014b |title='Star Wars' Producer Blasts 'Star Wars' Myths |url=https://mashable.com/2014/09/27/star-wars-myths-gary-kurtz/#V5qk02DJeuqo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015153402/https://mashable.com/2014/09/27/star-wars-myths-gary-kurtz/#V5qk02DJeuqo |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |website=Mashable |quote=}}</ref> Hamill claims that Lucas's motivation for starting with Episode IV was to give the audience "a feeling that they'd missed something". Lucas began with Episodes IV–VI, according to Hamill, because they were the most "commercial" sections of the larger overarching story.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Iv_sazoGg&t=5m49s |title=Mark Hamill - Full Q&A |date=March 8, 2016 |time=5:50 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |publisher=Oxford Union|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/_5Iv_sazoGg |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{sfn|Kaminski|2008|page=504}} Michael Kaminski, however, points out that multiple early screenplay drafts of ''Star Wars'' carried an "Episode One" subtitle, and that early drafts of ''Empire'' were called "Episode II".{{sfn|Kaminski|2008|page=504}}

In 1997, ''Star Wars'' was digitally remastered with some altered scenes for a theatrical re-release, dubbed the "Special Edition". In 2010, Lucas announced that all six previously released ''Star Wars'' films would be scanned and transferred to [[3D film|3D]] for a theatrical release, but only 3D versions of the prequel trilogy were completed before the franchise was sold to Disney in 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fernandez |first1=Jay |last2=Masters |first2=Kim |date=September 28, 2010 |title='Star Wars' saga set for 3D release starting 2012 |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-saga-set-3d-28485 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203125712/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-saga-set-3d-28485 |archive-date=December 3, 2017 |access-date=January 19, 2018 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In 2013, ''Star Wars'' was dubbed into [[Navajo language|Navajo]], making it the first major motion picture dubbed into the Navajo language.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.statepress.com/2013/10/03/alumna-four-others-dub-star-wars-film-into-navajo-language/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004160209/http://www.statepress.com/2013/10/03/alumna-four-others-dub-star-wars-film-into-navajo-language/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |title=Alumna, four others dub Star Wars film into Navajo language |publisher=[[Arizona State University]] |date=October 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Translated Into Navajo, 'Star Wars' Will Be |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/06/20/193496493/translated-into-navajo-star-wars-will-be |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128053645/https://www.npr.org/2013/06/20/193496493/translated-into-navajo-star-wars-will-be |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |website=NPR.org}}</ref>

==== Special Edition ====
[[File:Star Wars (1997 re-release poster).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|The theatrical release poster for the 1997 Special Edition]]

After ILM began to create CGI for Steven Spielberg's 1993 film ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'', Lucas decided that digital technology had caught up to his "original vision" for ''Star Wars''.<ref name="Dreams" /> For the film's 20th anniversary in 1997, ''Star Wars'' was digitally remastered with some altered scenes and re-released to theaters, along with ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'', under the campaign title ''Star Wars'' Trilogy: Special Edition. This version of ''Star Wars'' runs 124 minutes.

The Special Edition contains visual shots and scenes that were unachievable in the original film due to financial, technological, and time constraints.<ref name="Dreams" /> The process of creating the new visual effects was explored in the documentary ''[[Special Effects: Anything Can Happen]]'', directed by ''Star Wars'' sound designer Ben Burtt.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kwinn|first=Ann|title=Special Effects: Anything Can Happen|url=http://www.boxoffice.com/reviews/2008-08-special-effects?q=John+Lithgow|work=[[Boxoffice (magazine)|Boxoffice]]|publisher=Boxoffice Media |access-date=May 20, 2014|date=July 4, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521032352/http://www.boxoffice.com/reviews/2008-08-special-effects?q=John+Lithgow |archive-date=May 21, 2014}}</ref> Although most changes are minor or cosmetic in nature, many fans and critics believe that Lucas degraded the film with the additions.<ref name="Changes">{{cite web|publisher=DVDActive.com|title=Star Wars: The Changes|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html |access-date=September 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223003329/http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html |archive-date=December 23, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Restoring Star Wars">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-14/restoring-star-wars/6994818|title=Restoring Star Wars|work=ABC News |access-date=December 18, 2015|date=December 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124070713/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-14/restoring-star-wars/6994818|archive-date=January 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Doesn't Want You">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/08/the-star-wars-george-lucas-doesnt-want-you-to-see/379184/|title=The Star Wars George Lucas Doesn't Want You To See|date=August 27, 2014|first=Rose|last=Eveleth|author-link=Rose Eveleth |magazine=The Atlantic |access-date=November 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828030602/http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/08/the-star-wars-george-lucas-doesnt-want-you-to-see/379184/|archive-date=August 28, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> A particularly controversial change in which a bounty hunter named Greedo shoots first when confronting Han Solo has inspired T-shirts bearing the phrase "[[Han shot first]]".<ref name="HSF">{{cite web|website=StarWars.com|publisher=Lucasfilm|title=Exclusive T-shirts to Commemorate DVD Release|url=https://www.starwars.com/collecting/shop/shopnews/news20060503.html |access-date=August 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902034847/http://starwars.com/collecting/shop/shopnews/news20060503.html |archive-date=September 2, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://collider.com/star-wars-blu-ray-changes-2/112594/|title=More Changes to STAR WARS Include Blinking Ewoks and Different Cut of Greedo Shooting First |access-date=September 19, 2011|date=September 1, 2011|magazine=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110925081226/http://collider.com/star-wars-blu-ray-changes-2/112594|archive-date = September 25, 2011|url-status = live}}</ref>

''Star Wars'' required extensive recovery of misplaced footage and restoration of the whole film before Lucas's Special Edition modifications could be attempted. In addition to the negative film stock commonly used for feature films, Lucas had also used Color Reversal [[Internegative]] (CRI) film, a reversal stock subsequently discontinued by Kodak. Although it theoretically was of higher quality, CRI deteriorated faster than negative stocks. Because of this, the entire composited negative had to be disassembled, and the CRI portions cleaned separately from the negative portions. Once the cleaning was complete, the film was scanned into the computer for restoration. In many cases, entire scenes had to be reconstructed from their individual elements. Digital compositing technology allowed the restoration team to correct for problems such as misalignment of mattes and "blue-spill".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/sped/ssws/pg1.htm|title=Saving the Star Wars Saga – page 1|publisher=[[American Society of Cinematographers]] |access-date=February 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921225101/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/sped/ssws/pg1.htm |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1989, the 1977 theatrical version of ''Star Wars'' was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry of the United States [[Library of Congress]].<ref name="NFR-Titles" /> 35&nbsp;mm reels of the 1997 Special Edition were initially presented for preservation because of the difficulty of transferring from the original prints, but it was later revealed that the Library possessed a copyright deposit print of the original theatrical release.<ref name="Andrews-NFR" /> By 2015, this copy had been transferred to a [[2K resolution|2K]] scan, now available to be viewed by appointment.<ref name="mashable.com">{{cite web|last=Ulanoff|first=Lance|title=The search for the 'Star Wars' George Lucas doesn't want you to see|url=http://mashable.com/2015/12/17/star-wars-original-cut/#q9dBHW8NZkq0|website=Mashable|date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013075503/http://mashable.com/2015/12/17/star-wars-original-cut/#q9dBHW8NZkq0|archive-date=October 13, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after the release of ''[[Rogue One: A Star Wars Story]],'' director [[Gareth Edwards (filmmaker)|Gareth Edwards]] claimed he viewed a 4K restoration of the original theatrical version of ''Star Wars'', created by Disney. The company has never confirmed its existence, however.<ref>{{cite web |first=Vikram |last=Murthi | url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/rogue-one-gareth-edwards-4k-restoration-a-new-hope-star-wars-1201762331/ | title='Rogue One' Director Gareth Edwards Says There's a 4K Restoration of 'A New Hope' |work=IndieWire | date=December 23, 2016 | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115044826/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/rogue-one-gareth-edwards-4k-restoration-a-new-hope-star-wars-1201762331/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jenkins |first=David |title=Gareth Edwards: The Last Detail |url=http://lwlies.com/interviews/gareth-edwards-rogue-one-a-star-wars-story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227191916/http://lwlies.com/interviews/gareth-edwards-rogue-one-a-star-wars-story/ |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |access-date=January 19, 2018 |work=Little White Lies}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
In the United States, France, West Germany, Italy and Japan, parts of or the whole film were released on [[Super 8 film|Super 8]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_category&category_id=409|title=Video and Film – Super 8|website=Star Wars Collectors Archive|year=2014 |access-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818224123/http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_category&category_id=409|archive-date=August 18, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Clips were also released for the Movie Viewer toy projector by [[Kenner Products]] in cassettes featuring short scenes.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2014 |title=Movie Viewer with MTFBWY cassette |url=http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=22504 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603102003/http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=22504 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |website=Star Wars Collectors Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_category&category_id=407|title=Video and Film|website=theswca.com|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604015702/http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_category&category_id=407|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Star Wars'' was released on [[Betamax]],<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Star wars|place=Farmington Hills, Mich.|publisher=CBS/Fox Video|year=1984|via=[[WorldCat]]|oclc=13842348}}</ref> [[Capacitance Electronic Disc|CED]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/doug-smith/yesterday-s-technology-can-be-a-collectible/article_9e12f11e-7a88-11e0-8008-001cc4c03286.html|title=Yesterday's technology can be a collectible|author=Doug Smith|newspaper=Quad-City Times|date=May 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127152152/http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/doug-smith/yesterday-s-technology-can-be-a-collectible/article_9e12f11e-7a88-11e0-8008-001cc4c03286.html|archive-date=November 27, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=November 26, 2016}}</ref> [[LaserDisc]],<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Star wars. / Episode IV, A new hope|place=Farmington Hills, Mich.|publisher=Twentieth Century-Fox Video|year=1982|via=[[WorldCat]]|oclc=8896917}}</ref> [[Video 2000]], and [[VHS]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars Trilogy, VHS, CBS/Fox Video, USA 1990|website=Star Wars on Video|url-status=live|url=http://www.swonvideo.com/vhs/vvhstrilogyus1988box.htm |access-date=July 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002133/http://www.swonvideo.com/vhs/vvhstrilogyus1988box.htm |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars Trilogy, Widescreen, VHS, 20th Century Fox Video USA, 1992|url=http://www.swonvideo.com/vhs/vtrilogylbxbox.htm|website=Star Wars on Video |access-date=July 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714173627/http://www.swonvideo.com/vhs/vtrilogylbxbox.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> during the 1980s and 1990s by [[CBS/Fox Video]]. The final issue of the original theatrical release (pre-Special Edition) on VHS occurred in 1995, as part of a "Last Chance to Own the Original" campaign, and was available as part of a trilogy set or as a standalone purchase.<ref>{{cite web|author1=((Jedi1))|title=The Original Star Wars Trilogy – One Last Time|date=April 4, 2013|url=http://thestarwarstrilogy.com/starwars/post/2013/04/30/The-Original-Star-Wars-Trilogy-One-Last-Time|website=The Star Wars Trilogy: A Digital Star Wars Scrapbook |access-date=July 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151938/http://thestarwarstrilogy.com/starwars/post/2013/04/30/The-Original-Star-Wars-Trilogy-One-Last-Time|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released for the first time on [[DVD]] on September 21, 2004, in a box set with ''The Empire Strikes Back'', ''Return of the Jedi'', and a bonus disc of supplementary material. The films were digitally restored and remastered, and more changes were made by Lucas (in addition to those made for the 1997 Special Edition). The DVD features a [[audio commentary|commentary track]] from Lucas, Fisher, Burtt and visual effects artist Dennis Muren. The bonus disc contains the documentary ''[[Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy]]'', three featurettes, teaser and theatrical trailers, TV spots, image galleries, an exclusive preview of ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]'', a playable [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] demo of the [[LucasArts]] game ''[[Star Wars: Battlefront]]'', and a making-of documentary about [[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (video game)|the ''Episode III'' video game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2004/09/09/star-wars-trilogy|title=Star Wars Trilogy|website=[[IGN]]|date=September 9, 2004 |access-date=February 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430013032/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/09/star-wars-trilogy |archive-date=April 30, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The set was reissued in December 2005 as a three-disc limited edition without the bonus disc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2005/09/29/star-wars-due-again-on-dvd|title=Star Wars Due Again on DVD|website=[[IGN]]|date=September 28, 2005 |access-date=February 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018160342/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/29/star-wars-due-again-on-dvd |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The trilogy was re-released on separate two-disc limited edition DVD sets from September 12 to December 31, 2006, and again in a limited edition box set on November 4, 2008;<ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars Saga Repacked in Trilogy Sets on DVD|date=August 8, 2008|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=[[Star Wars|StarWars.com]]|url=https://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html |access-date=November 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026032957/http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=October 26, 2008}}</ref> the original theatrical versions of the films were added as bonus material. The release was met with criticism because the unaltered versions were from the 1993 non-[[Anamorphic format|anamorphic]] LaserDisc masters, and were not re-transferred using modern video standards. This led to problems with colors, image quality, and digital image jarring.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dawe, Ian|title=Anamorphic Star Wars and Other Musings|work=Mindjack Film|url=http://www.mindjack.com/film/archives/2006_05_01_archive.html |access-date=May 26, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060613224955/http://www.mindjack.com/film/archives/2006_05_01_archive.html |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

All six existing ''Star Wars'' films were released by [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]] on [[Blu-ray]] on September 16, 2011, in three different editions. ''A New Hope'' was available in both a box set of the original trilogy<ref>{{cite web|title=Pre-order Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray Now!|website=[[Star Wars|StarWars.com]]|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|date=January 6, 2011 |access-date=January 7, 2011|url=https://www.starwars.com/themovies/saga/preorder_bluray/index.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110228024727/http://www.starwars.com/themovies/saga/preorder_bluray/index.html |archive-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Utichi|date=September 15, 2011|title=Star Wars on Blu-ray: what surprises does LucasFilm have in store?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2011/sep/15/star-wars-blu-ray-lucasfilm|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508151643/http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2011/sep/15/star-wars-blu-ray-lucasfilm |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and with the other five films in the set ''Star Wars: The Complete Saga'', which includes nine discs and over 40 hours of special features.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bring the Complete Collection Home: Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-Ray|url=https://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/bluraymay4/index.html|website=[[Star Wars|StarWars.com]]|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]] |access-date=July 19, 2011|date=May 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507103835/http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/bluraymay4/index.html |archive-date=May 7, 2011}}</ref> The original theatrical versions of the films were not included in the box set. Nor have they been released officially since then. Furthermore, new changes were made to the films, provoking mixed responses from critics and fans alike.<ref>{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Casey|date=September 16, 2011|title=Star Wars fans react with mixed feelings to changes in new Blu-ray release|work=[[Chattanooga Times Free Press]]|url=http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/star-wars-fans-react-with-mixed-feelings/ |access-date=May 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521032253/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/star-wars-fans-react-with-mixed-feelings/|archive-date=May 21, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 7, 2015, [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Walt Disney Studios]], Twentieth Century Fox, and Lucasfilm jointly announced the digital releases of the six existing ''Star Wars'' films. Fox released ''A New Hope'' for digital download on April 10, 2015, while Disney released the other five films.<ref name="DisneyFY13">{{cite web|title=The Walt Disney Company FY 2013 SEC Form 10-K Filing|url=http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/fy13-form-10k.pdf|website=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=April 17, 2015|page=13|date=November 20, 2013|quote=Prior to the Company's acquisition, Lucasfilm produced six Star Wars films (Episodes 1 through 6). Lucasfilm retained the rights to consumer products related to all of the films and the rights related to television and electronic distribution formats for all of the films, with the exception of the rights for Episode 4, which are owned by a third-party studio. All of the films are distributed by a third-party studio in the theatrical and home video markets. The theatrical and home video distribution rights for these films revert to Lucasfilm in May 2020 with the exception of Episode 4, for which these distribution rights are retained in perpetuity by the third-party studio.  |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150311190755/http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/fy13-form-10k.pdf |archive-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=April 6, 2015|title='Star Wars' Movie Franchise Headed to Digital HD|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673 |access-date=April 7, 2015|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410030917/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673|archive-date=April 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Disney reissued ''A New Hope'' on Blu-ray, DVD, and for digital download on September 22, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10|title=Newest Star Wars Saga Blu-rays Get Matching Artwork|last=Bonomolo|first=Cameron|date=August 8, 2019|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926042851/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10|archive-date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> Additionally, all six films were available for [[4K resolution|4K]] [[High-dynamic-range video|HDR]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] streaming on [[Disney+]] upon the service's launch on November 12, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whitbrook|first=James|title=The Mandalorian Will Premiere on Disney+ November 12|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-mandalorian-will-be-available-on-disney-from-day-o-1833985687/amp|work=io9 |access-date=April 11, 2019|date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412063838/https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-mandalorian-will-be-available-on-disney-from-day-o-1833985687/amp |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> This version of ''A New Hope'' was also released by Disney in a [[4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]] box set on March 31, 2020.<ref name="SkywalkerSagaBoxSet">{{Cite web|last=Lussier|first=Germain|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774|date=March 27, 2020|title=Let's Dive Into Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's 27-Disc Box Set|website=[[io9]]|access-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313074612/https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774|archive-date=March 13, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Merchandising ===
{{Main|Kenner Star Wars action figures|Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker|Star Wars comics}}
Little ''Star Wars'' merchandise was available for several months after the film's debut, as only Kenner Products had accepted marketing director Charles Lippincott's licensing offers. Kenner responded to the sudden demand for toys by selling boxed vouchers in its "empty box" Christmas campaign. Television commercials told children and parents that vouchers contained in a "Star Wars Early Bird Certificate Package" could be redeemed for four action figures between February and June 1978.{{r|Dreams}} Jay West of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said that the boxes in the campaign "became the most coveted empty box[es] in the history of retail."<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Jay|title=''Star Wars'' flashback: Christmas '77 left fans with empty feeling|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/star-wars-flashback-christmas-77-left-fans-with-empty-feeling/|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 10, 2012 |access-date=May 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526123434/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/star-wars-flashback-christmas-77-left-fans-with-empty-feeling/|archive-date=May 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the ''Star Wars'' action figures were inducted into the [[National Toy Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=''Star Wars'' action figures, dominoes enter Toy Hall of Fame|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/star-wars-action-figures-dominoes-enter-toy-hall-of-fame/|website=cbsnews.com|publisher=[[CBS]] |access-date=May 26, 2014|author=Staff|date=November 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526060804/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/star-wars-action-figures-dominoes-enter-toy-hall-of-fame/|archive-date=May 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

The novelization of the film was published as ''[[Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker]]'' in December 1976, six months before the film was released. The credited author was George Lucas, but the book was revealed to have been [[ghostwriter|ghostwritten]] by [[Alan Dean Foster]]. Marketing director Charles Lippincott secured the deal with Del Rey Books to publish the novelization in November 1976. By February 1977, a half million copies had been sold.<ref name="Dreams" /> Foster also wrote the sequel novel ''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]'' (1978) to be adapted as a low-budget film if ''Star Wars'' was not a financial success.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wenz|first=John|title=The First Star Wars sequel: Inside the writing of Splinter of the Mind's Eye|url=https://syfy.com/syfywire/the-first-star-wars-sequel-inside-the-writing-of-splinter-of-the-minds-eye|work=Syfy|publisher=SyFy Channel|date=January 1, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231749/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-first-star-wars-sequel-inside-the-writing-of-splinter-of-the-minds-eye|archive-date=September 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Marvel Comics also adapted the film as the first six issues of its licensed ''Star Wars'' comic book, with the first issue sold in April 1977. The comic was written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Howard Chaykin. Like the novelization, it contained certain elements, such as the scene with Luke and Biggs, that appeared in the screenplay but not in the finished film.<ref name="thomas20070601" /> The series was so successful that, according to comic book writer [[Jim Shooter]], it "single-handedly saved Marvel".<ref name="thomas20001006">{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=186|title=Jim Shooter Interview: Part 1|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=October 6, 2000 |access-date=December 5, 2012|author=Thomas, Michael | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813074853/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=186 | archive-date=August 13, 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> From January to April 1997, [[Dark Horse Comics]], which had held the comic rights to ''Star Wars'' since 1991, published a comic book adaptation of the "Special Edition" of the film, written by Bruce Jones with art by Eduardo Barreto and Al Williamson; 36 years later, the same company published ''The Star Wars'', an adaptation of the plot from Lucas's original rough draft screenplay, from September 2013 to May 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Star Wars #1 (Nick Runge Cover)|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-824/The-Star-Wars-1-Nick-Runge-cover|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]] |access-date=May 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526060000/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-824/The-Star-Wars-1-Nick-Runge-cover|archive-date=May 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucasfilm adapted the story for a children's book-and-record set. Released in 1979, the 24-page ''Star Wars'' read-along book was accompanied by a {{frac|33|1|3}}&nbsp;rpm 7-inch [[phonograph record]]. Each page of the book contained a cropped [[Film frame|frame]] from the movie with an abridged and condensed version of the story. The record was produced by [[Walt Disney Records|Buena Vista Records]], and its content was copyrighted by Black Falcon, Ltd., a subsidiary of Lucasfilm "formed to handle the merchandising for ''Star Wars''."<ref name="blackfalcon">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/hyperspace/member/kessel/news20051222.html|title=The Flight and Fall of Black Falcon|last=Vilmur|first=Pete|website=[[Star Wars|StarWars.com]]|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|date=September 11, 2008 |access-date=January 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912232305/http://www.starwars.com/hyperspace/member/kessel/news20051222.html |archive-date=September 12, 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Story of Star Wars]]'' was a 1977 record album presenting an abridged version of the events depicted in ''Star Wars'', using dialogue and sound effects from the original film. The recording was produced by George Lucas and Alan Livingston, and was narrated by [[Roscoe Lee Browne]]. The script was adapted by E. Jack Kaplan and Cheryl Gard.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />

An audio CD boxed set of the ''Star Wars'' radio series was released in 1993, containing the original 1981 radio drama along with the radio adaptations of the sequels, ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wells|first1=Stuart W.|title=A Universe of Star Wars Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=0-87349-415-6|page=239|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uW3pNt5wKtYC&q=star%20wars%20audio%20CD&pg=PA239|access-date=January 14, 2017|language=en|date=January 2002}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>