The original, unedited version of the 1977 film Star Wars was briefly available on the Roku app Cinema Box, featuring the iconic scene where Han shoots first and lacking CG characters in Mos Eisley. This version, which can be found in more detail here, was a rare treat for fans. However, the app is no longer available on Roku, and with it, the original Star Wars film has disappeared as well.

For those unfamiliar, during the 20th-anniversary celebration of Star Wars, George Lucas released the Special Editions, which included numerous changes to the original films. Since then, these Special Editions have become the only officially released versions of the movies, available on TV, Disney+, and in theaters. The exception was a 2006 DVD release that included the original versions as special features.

According to Screenrant, the version uploaded to Roku’s Cinema Box was the 2006 DVD release. However, as Men’s Journal reported, by March 4, the original Star Wars film and the Cinema Box app had both vanished. Io9 reached out to Lucasfilm for comment but did not receive a response as of publication.

This ordeal highlights two significant points. Firstly, it demonstrates how quickly those in power can respond to such incidents. Secondly, it reveals that a large audience still yearns for the original versions of the films they grew up with, such as the ones they watched on channel 9 on Sunday afternoons or wore out on VHS tapes. While many fans are okay with minor alterations, such as the addition of “Episode IV,” the more substantial changes, like Greedo and the Endor Celebration, still feel out of place.

As previously argued, the release of the Special Editions in theaters played a crucial role in the franchise’s revival. The success of the Special Editions in 1997 prompted Lucas to create the prequels, which brought Star Wars back into the spotlight and ultimately led to Disney’s acquisition of the franchise. Although the Special Editions may be divisive, they served a purpose in the grand scheme of the Star Wars universe. We can only hope that one day, the original versions will be more accessible to fans.

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