With movie theaters still expecting to reopen within the next month, there have been numerous reports on what films will be in theaters to get audiences excited to go to the theater again after this hiatus. With a couple of current releases delayed until further notice, studios are offering to re-release many iconic films to theaters for audiences to get a chance to see them on the big screen again. In the case of the U.K., Disney has something very special in store for audiences overseas. As Disney announces that Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back will get a new 4K re-release exclusively to U.K. Cinemas.
This planned screening of the film will mark the first time a film in the original Star Wars trilogy will be screened to audiences in 4K. The film will be shown in Vue cinemas all throughout the United Kingdom. Empire Strikes Back is one of main titles Disney is offering to U.K. exhibitors as they are setting for a July 4th reopening date for their theaters for the time being. Of course with COVID-19 still rampant, Vue cinemas are expected to maintain social distancing measures, including but not limited to online booking, staggering film times and enhancing cleaning procedures.
With Star Wars being the juggernaut franchise that it is, it’s exciting that Disney is giving what many considered to be the best film a proper re-release. While it might be disappointing this re-release is only appearing for Cinemas in the U.K., the idea of witnessing a film as grand as Empire Strikes Back would be an amazing opportunity regardless of where it is. Only time will tell if theater procedures of opening up go as plan within the next month, though if they do, Star Wars fans will have a good excuse to go to the movies again with this new re-release.