The novelizations of the original Star Wars trilogy will receive complete unabridged audiobook editions for the first time on Feb. 2, 2027.
Marc Thompson narrates the new editions of Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Lucasfilm announced the release ahead of its publishing panels at San Diego Comic-Con.
Three original trilogy novelizations
Alan Dean Foster ghostwrote the 1976 Star Wars novelization under George Lucas' name. Donald F. Glut adapted The Empire Strikes Back, and James Kahn wrote the Return of the Jedi novelization.
The books expand scenes and character thoughts that the films convey visually. Some details reflect early scripts and ideas that changed before the movies reached theaters, so the novels occasionally differ from the finished films.
Part of the Star Wars 50th anniversary
The audiobook release arrives during the 50th anniversary year for the original 1977 film. Lucasfilm is also returning a restored version of the movie to theaters on Feb. 19, including an IMAX run.
Lucasfilm has not announced running times, preorder editions or separate pricing for the three audiobooks.
Source: Lucasfilm's original trilogy audiobook announcement.
Image: Lucasfilm.