John Williams Returns for the ‘Star Wars’ Anniversary Logo Reveal
‘Star Wars’ is about to celebrate its 50th birthday, and Lucasfilm has started the countdown in a big way. Disney and Lucasfilm have announced a year-long global celebration starting in January. It will include new project announcements, anniversary merchandise, fan events, archival releases, and refreshed offerings at Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line.
The timing of the announcement was deliberate. It came exactly 50 days before the anniversary year begins on January 1. The anniversary year will be anchored by the theatrical re-release of the original 1977 film on February 19.
Along with the plans came the official 50th anniversary logo, and it arrived with a familiar sound. Lucasfilm revealed the logo in a short clip set to a newly orchestrated score by John Williams. The design is gold and black and features silhouettes of iconic characters.
The logo will also appear in theaters. The re-release will play in digital and film formats, including IMAX 70mm, Digital IMAX, 4DX and D-BOX, and the celebratory logo with Williams’ new score will run before the film.
Official reveal of the ‘Star Wars’ 50th anniversary logo John Williams returned to orchestrate the music for the reveal https://t.co/fpn1toikXU
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) November 12, 2026
Having Williams involved makes the moment especially fitting. He composed and conducted the music for all 9 ‘Star Wars’ saga films, so his work on the anniversary celebration connects it directly to the franchise’s history.
The re-release is a major event for longtime fans. It will be the first time since the Special Editions of the 1990s that audiences can see the version of the film first shown in 1977. It’s also the first time the original ‘Star Wars’ will be presented in IMAX.
A galaxy far, far away returns to theaters in celebration of 50 years. Experience Star Wars (1977) in theaters February 19, 2027. Art by @Cakes_Comics https://t.co/TipUUDABJb
— Star Wars (@starwars) November 12, 2026
Lucasfilm is also leaning into the film’s original identity. The new re-release poster by artist Matt Ferguson pays homage to the 1977 original and leaves out the longer ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ title that George Lucas added later.
“It is incredibly special to mark the 50th anniversary by returning the original version of Star Wars to theaters so audiences can experience this part of film history on the big screen,” Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan said.
The opening of Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) is pure cinema grammar being rewritten in real time. George Lucas extended the ship far beyond normal expectations on purpose, to make it feel endless and overwhelming. Instantly iconic. https://t.co/8zPLU8Qy9q
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) April 15, 2026
The celebration goes well beyond the re-release. ‘Ahsoka’ season 2 arrives on Disney+ on January 20, and ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ opens in theaters on May 28. The slate also includes a new Disney+ documentary, a museum exhibition in Philadelphia and anniversary collections from Hasbro, LEGO and other partners.
The documentary has a fitting release date. ‘The Hero Awakens,’ a new behind-the-scenes documentary, is set to arrive on Disney+ on May 4. Williams’ music will also get its own spotlight. In April, Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, will host ‘Star Wars in Concert: The Skywalker Saga’ at the Hollywood Bowl. The show pairs scenes from all 9 Skywalker Saga films with Williams’ scores, performed live by an orchestra.
Disney and Lucasfilm say more collaborations will be revealed later this year and into 2027, including partnerships with major global brands. For now, the logo is the first look at the anniversary celebration.
How excited are you for the ‘Star Wars’ 50th anniversary celebration, especially with John Williams returning?
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