Marcus Theatres CEO on Showing “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” In Ojibwe

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — When the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977, it ignited a franchise that has made billions upon billions of dollars.

It has been translated into 50 languages with Navajo being the first Indigenous People’s version in 2021.

Now in 2024 comes the Ojibwe version.

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” there was a movie that turned the world upside down and forever changed going to the movies.

Now the original Star Wars from 1977 is being re-released in the Ojibwe language as Disney looks to expand the movie’s access to other cultures.

It is being shown exclusively at Marcus Theatres in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“Being with a community. That may be community just in terms of proximity or community in terms of cultural community or like interests and so the ability to get people together in a theater to enjoy entertainment in a way that is appealing to them I think is invaluable so I’m glad we’re doing it,” said Greg Marcus, CEO of Marcus Theatres.

Earlier this month, KVRR aired a story about one of the artists taking part in the project.

Kalvin Hartwig is an Ojibwe Language Coordinator and is voicing the Red Leader.

“This is really a moment to be all hands-on deck to revitalize Ojibwe. And this film will be a vehicle for that.”

Dubbing was done over a 10-day period in May in Winnipeg.

The final mix was completed at Skywalker Sound.

Now sure you might be able to stream “A New Hope” in Ojibwe someday, but there is nothing like seeing it right now and on the big screen.

“There will be kids who say ‘I remember the first movie I went to with my parents or my grandparents, it was Star Wars, it was the Ojibwe cut. We saw it together. And my dad held my hand and it was one of the greatest things I ever saw, I’ll never forget it’. That’s going to be the memory that you make. You can’t replace that,” said Marcus.

The movie can been seen in Fargo starting Friday, August 30 at Century Cinema.

Check out MarcusTheatres.com for showtimes.