<P> The film was a huge success for 20th Century Fox, and was credited for reinvigorating the company . Within three weeks of the film's release, the studio's stock price had doubled to a record high . Prior to 1977, 20th Century Fox's greatest annual profits were $37 million, while in 1977, the company broke that record by posting a profit of $79 million . Although the film's cultural neutrality helped it to gain international success, Ladd became anxious during the premiere in Japan . After the screening, the audience was silent, leading him to fear that the film would be unsuccessful . Ladd was later told by his local contacts that, in Japan, silence was the greatest honor to a film, and the subsequent strong box office returns confirmed its popularity . </P> <P> After two weeks William Friedkin's Sorcerer replaced Star Wars at Mann's Chinese Theatre because of contractual obligations; Mann Theatres moved the film to a less - prestigious location after quickly renovating it . When Star Wars made an unprecedented second opening at Mann's Chinese Theatre on August 3, 1977, after Sorcerer failed, thousands of people attended a ceremony in which C - 3PO, R2 - D2 and Darth Vader placed their footprints in the theater's forecourt . At that time Star Wars was playing in 1,096 theaters in the United States . Approximately 60 theaters played the film continuously for over a year; in 1978, Lucasfilm distributed "Birthday Cake" posters to those theaters for special events on May 25, the one - year anniversary of the film's release . Star Wars premiered in the UK on December 27, 1977 . </P> <P> Star Wars was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982 . After ILM used computer - generated effects for Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park, Lucas claimed that digital technology had caught up to his "original vision" for Star Wars . For the film's 20th anniversary in 1997, Star Wars was digitally remastered and re-released to movie theaters, along with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, under the campaign title Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition . This version of the film runs 124 minutes . </P> <P> The Special Edition contains visual shots and scenes that were unachievable in the original release due to financial, technological, and time constraints; one such scene involves a meeting between Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt . The process of creating the new visual effects for Star Wars was featured in the documentary film, Special Effects: Anything Can Happen, directed by Star Wars sound designer, Ben Burtt . Although most changes are minor or cosmetic in nature, many fans and critics believe that Lucas degraded the film with the additions . A particularly controversial change in which a bounty hunter named Greedo shoots first when confronting Han Solo has inspired T - shirts brandishing the phrase "Han Shot First". </P>

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