Disney has made a smart financial decision. They are re-releasing the original Star Wars in theaters February 19th. This will be a restored copy of the movie as it appeared when it was first released. No digital Jabba the Hutt, no digital Stormtroopers. None of the extras that were added in years later. This is the original. It’s a smart call for Disney. They already own the movie. It hasn’t been seen in decades, so the fans will be happy, and Disney gets a bunch of free money.

Here’s why the release of the 1977 Star Wars movie could be even more important. The return of the classic hero figure. When is the last time you saw a classic hero? A hero who had to go it alone and look within himself to find the power to overcome impossible odds. It’s been a while. Hollywood has done everything in their power to not tell stories about heroes anymore. And if they do accidentally stumble across a hero like John Wick or Iron Man? They discard them. Or undercut them. Hand off the story to another character.

Story tellers have been telling the heroes journey story for thousands of years. Why? Because they work. Something in our human DNA responds to a story about a regular guy who suddenly finds himself in the center of it all. From Hercules to King Aurthur to Luke Skywalker. It’s the story that is always at the heart of entertainment. Hollywood may not like it. They may want to subvert it. But the hero’s journey works. I am stoked to see the response to the original Star Wars on the big screen. Here’s more.

Am I looking forward to this documentary? You bet I am!

I would like to second what this guy said on X. There are only 6 Star Wars movies. Everything else is bad fan fiction.