S4C announces that Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope will be dubbed into Welsh for the first time for its viewers. The broadcaster says the Welsh-language version is coming later this year and will feature prominent Welsh and UK actors providing voices for characters from the 1977 film. Matthew Rhys is set to voice Han Solo, while Rhys Ifans will voice Obi-Wan Kenobi. Additional cast members reported by outlets include Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Mark Lewis Jones, who are also among the performers voicing characters in the film.
The announcements highlight that, although there are connections between Star Wars and Wales, Welsh speakers have previously not had a Welsh-language dub of the original movie available to them. In particular, the Guardian notes historical links to Wales associated with the franchise, while S4C’s new project focuses on making the film’s dialogue accessible in Cymraeg. No release date beyond “later this year” is provided in the shared reports.
