So with the new acquisition of Fox by Disney, they now 100% own the distribution rights to the OT right? As in, they can do whatever they want?
Do you think there’s a chance they announce the release of the unaltered OT at Star Wars Celebration?
I’d give that zero chance, I’m afraid. It’s never really been about money and distribution, which have always been negotiable. It’s about deference to Lucas’s stated intent. Technically he doesn’t own it anymore and they can do whatever they want, but technically C.S. Lewis is dead and publishers are free to release his books in the correct order, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen (yes, I know Lewis didn’t really even want his book order screwed up, but that case is more about the perception of his wishes than his actual wishes). Artists/directors/executive producers of wildly popular content have a reach that extends beyond the grave, let alone content ownership and distribution deals. Copyright expiration is the date we’re waiting for.