Star Wars A New Hope Returns to Cosm Domes for 50th Anniversary in March 2027

George Lucas’ original 1977 film “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope” will arrive at Cosm’s immersive domes in March 2027, marking a multiyear collaboration between The Walt Disney Co. and the El Segundo-based technology firm.

The 50th anniversary of the franchise will feature the film displayed on 87-foot spherical screens.

Expanding the Galaxy at Cosm

The upcoming screenings will utilize a 2019 remaster of the film, originally prepared for the launch of the Disney+ streaming service. Unlike a standard theatrical presentation, the Cosm venue will frame the 16:9 format within its massive, concave dome.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the presentation will be augmented with supplemental CGI content designed to flesh out the environments of Tatooine and Yavin IV, while the death star will appear to surround the audience.

Cosm intends to move beyond traditional projection by incorporating visual effects that simulate movement, such as the sensation of traveling at lightspeed. The company is working directly with Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and the visual effects house MakeMake to ensure the new content remains consistent with the original film’s aesthetic.

As noted by CNBC, this marks the sixth theatrical collaboration for the company, which has previously presented titles such as “The Matrix” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

The Evolution of Immersive Cinema

The partnership represents a major push for Cosm, which recently secured a $100 million investment from Sony Pictures. The company, which operates venues in cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, and Atlanta, describes its approach as “shared reality.” This format aims to transform the audience from passive spectators into participants within a living, digital environment.

“We are thrilled obviously to be a part of the 50th anniversary,” said Alexis Scalice, vice president and head of Cosm Studios, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “There are definitely going to be moments and effects that you haven’t ever seen before at Cosm.”

The production will also include a curated, theme-park-inspired menu, a strategy Cosm has employed for previous film events. For past screenings, the company offered items like pretzel wands and shepherd’s pie to bolster the sense of community among fans.

Scalice said that the goal is to enhance defining moments, such as the sound of Darth Vader’s breathing, rather than altering the core authenticity of the intellectual property, CNBC reported.

Logistics of the Semicentennial

Bringing a legacy franchise to a specialized, dome-based format requires extensive coordination between creative studios and venue operators.

The event will feature a commemorative poster designed by artist Shepard Fairey, a move that aligns with Disney’s broader strategy to celebrate the 50th anniversary through merchandise, conventions, and theatrical re-releases. While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the partnership highlights the ongoing industry trend of seeking new ways to monetize classic film catalogs through immersive, location-based entertainment.

“I always say it’s like a best-hits album, where you have got to deliver,” Scalice told the Los Angeles Times. “You’ve got to deliver on light speed. You’ve got to deliver on moments.”

The film will begin screening at Cosm in March 2027. Disney has not yet decided if this format will become a standard offering for other legacy films in its library as the company prepares for its semicentennial celebrations.

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