Only the PT they grew up with isn’t quite the same one they’ve got now.
They probably have no idea.
All the more reason to include the theatrical prequels as well. It would be a fair, balanced, and straightforward approach if they simply included the original and final versions of I-VI.
But what if I want to watch a pan and scan version of ROTJ with Hayden but without Vader’s noooooooo. That’s the version I grew up with!
IMO, it’s the ‘97 version that takes priority over the ‘04 version/master (and the 2011 blu-ray edit thereof). To me the Blade Runner treatment for each of the OT films would be:
disc 1: final version
disc 2: ‘97 version
disc 3: original unaltered
The final version (from RMW’s 4k master) could very well end up being identical to the 2011 version anyway content-wise, which would make that version redundant. Then again, George could’ve done some additional tinkering before selling the company in 2012, and there’s nothing stopping Kathleen Kennedy from inviting him back to make his final changes now.
That leaves the 2004, which only really holds significance because it brought the OT slightly more in line with the PT (TPM Jabba in ANH, Ian as Emperor hologram in ESB, Hayden as ghost Anakin). I guess it also holds significance for being the version released on dvd, kinda like how the international version of Blade Runner was the one most widely available on home video back in the 80’s.
If they really wanted to, they could branch the ‘04 and ‘11 versions onto the ‘97 disc, but everything would need to conform to the same color timing. It all just seems more trouble than it’s worth, honestly.
Obviously the unaltered versions take priority over all of the other non-final versions, but if they were to go the extra mile and include the ‘97 but not the ‘04 or ‘11 I wouldn’t miss those versions one bit.