There’s little we can say about Irvin Kershner‘s “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” that hasn’t been said millions of times over. The film is a genre staple and ranks amongst the greatest sci-fi films ever made, a masterclass in impactful storytelling that catapulted the franchise to even loftier heights. Now, after months of curtained screens and empty theaters, UK cinemas are planning to reopen and hit the ground (Kessel) running by releasing Kershner’s epic in 4K.
Variety brought word that the decades-old genre juggernaut would screen at Vue theaters in the UK. This will mark the first time an original “Star Wars” film will hit the big screen in 4K, which is hopefully enough of a reason to bring fans to cinemas despite pandemic concerns. George Lucas‘ landmark trilogy is currently only available in this format on Disney+ and UHD Blu-ray.
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The news comes as businesses begin to open after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic forced Hollywood to halt production on their biggest money-makers and delay the release of blockbusters while cinemas remain closed for months. UK theaters have been shut down since March 16.
We’ve seen multiple theaters and cinema chains discuss using older films to welcome back movie-goers and entice them with cheaper tickets and guaranteed hits. In the US, Warner Bros. is going to re-release “Inception” (with bonus content) in an attempt to prime the pump before “Tenet” is released. And in China, films like “Avatar” and “Avengers: Endgame” were used to help boost attendance.
As of now, UK multiplexes are planning to reopen on July 4. Until then, all we can do is wait with bated breath and hope that the return of “The Empire Strikes Back” rakes in enough dough to keep theaters running. Or at least keep the lights on for when “Tenet” arrives later that month.
