Think you’ve seen the 1977 classic Star Wars? Think again. What you've likely experienced is one of the numerous altered versions distributed after its initial theatrical release, modified by George Lucas and later compiled into "special editions" of the iconic film. However, there's a new hope on the horizon for fans eager to see the original cut as Lucas first envisioned it.

This June, the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival will kick off with a rare screening of one of the few remaining Technicolor prints from Star Wars' original run. According to The Telegraph, this print hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, though it has been available on VHS in the past.

Lucas began tweaking the film starting with its first theatrical re-release in 1981, and since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of various "special editions." Fans are in for a treat with the upcoming festival's print, which has been preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past forty years, ensuring a near-flawless viewing experience.

Historically, Lucas has been firm in his stance against showing the original cut of what we now call Episode IV: A New Hope, and he has openly discussed this decision over the years.

“The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore,” he told the Associated Press in 2004, explaining his reluctance to release the original cut. “It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.”

It's unclear why Lucas might be reconsidering his position with this upcoming screening, but fans certainly aren't complaining about the opportunity to see the original vision of this beloved film.