Featured · Movies · News · Star Wars · VIP Articles

Star Wars Unaltered Original 1977 Theatrical Cut Appears on Roku App Cinema Box, Entire App Has Now Vanished From Roku Service

March 4, 2025 ·

Marvin Montanaro

Luke Skywalker stares at the sunset in Star Wars: A New Hope

Luke Skywalker watches the Tatooine sunset in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - YouTube, Collective Culture

The original unaltered 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars (where Han shot first!) appeared briefly on a Roku app this week before it and the entire app were taken down.

For decades, fans of Star Wars have pleaded for the original theatrical cut of the 1977 classic to be made available on streaming platforms. Yet, despite Disney’s ownership of the franchise, the unaltered version—without the A New Hope subtitle or the controversial changes made in later releases—remains elusive. However, for a brief moment, a solution seemed to emerge from an unexpected source.

Become a VIP member to read the rest of this article!

Already a member? Login below.

Author: Marvin Montanaro

Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind The M4 Empire YouTube channel, bringing a critical eye toward the world of pop culture. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro YouTube: http://YouTube.com/TheM4Empire Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com

Join the Conversation

4 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

TheBrewingSailor

1 year ago

If you have the Special Edition DVDs that were released in the late 90s, on the bonus materials discs for each film, you have the letterbox versions of the unedited, theatrical release of the Original Trilogy. Every time I’m so sick I can’t go to work, which isn’t often, I watch all three.

Mad Lemming

1 year ago

Disney’s treating this like an act of sabotage. Which I’m certain it is. The company has worked to bury the OT and even the PT to try and boost their own fanfic trilogy. Instead it’s just highlighted how amazing the OT is and made the PT look good. Someone uploading the original theatrical release must have stung their pride pretty badly if they’re going so far as to take the app down completely.

Bunny With A Keyboard

1 year ago

Han shot first.

keimosabe

1 year ago

It’s not hard to find all three unaltered versions online… fully restored to 4k resolution, upgraded picture quality and remastered sound…. for free. I have them, they are incredible.

“4k77” is the only clue I’m gonna give you. Now go forth and find them👍 the prize is well worth the hunt.