I’m not sure why people are saying that there is going to be a big surprise at the 40th anniversary panel and jumping to this meaning they will announce the OUT being released. The report seems to have been twisted a little to suit this theory, when in fact the announcement actually is a little different:

“As is tradition, this marquee Celebration event will undoubtedly include many not-to-be-missed surprises.”

All this means is that there could be some surprises, usually surprise guests, unseen footage or something else along those lines. Same type of thing happens every celebration.

The sad fact is, if they don’t announce that they are releasing the theatricals at Celebration, then thats the end of it. It’s the optimal time to release them, being the 40th anniversary. In 2020, when Disney will get the full rights to the other 5 films, the next release will be the 3D prequel trilogy with a 4k SE trilgoy later once Disney start supporting the format. In this case the chance of seeing the OUT will most likely be AFTER George has passed. I wouldn’t put it past him to have stipulated never to release the originals. The only glimmers of hope is 1:-the strained relations between George and Disney since TFA went into production and he announced before they had a chance about the big 3 being in it and then them chucking out Georges treatments ( followed by the “white slavers” and other negative comments George made about disney and TFA) and 2:- better quality fan restorations and their greater media attention cutting into Disney’s chances of maximum profits for an official release