You’re vastly overestimating how much of a financial draw “The original versions” would be. The audience for “the original versions” is very niche.
I wouldn’t be so sure on that…
Back in 2004:
“Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters,” said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. “We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we’re very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars.”
In 2006:
LFL were issuing very hastily PR responses to enormous amount of fans’ concerns re the GOUT DVD release - which caused them more issues.
In 2011:
Such was the clamor not to be caught short again they shut the message boards down in the summer on the official site; knowing what was coming with the blu ray release with more changes made to the films in the fall. Spent a fair few extra $$$ on PR around that time too - when money was scarce around the place for many departments.
And today:
Ask people who work at LFL what some of the most asked questions are they get quizzed on - the three people I still talk with all still say (with sighs) “When are the original versions being released?”
Even the people at LFL who don’t particulary want to see a release of the theatrical versions know it will sell well - even on a small promotions budget.
It is essentially free money. A matter of timing - when, not if. Too long the wait for sure. Though not for the good ‘niche’ people on here: some of the Star Wars preservations on here - wow! (and a great journey along the way too!)
Feel free to disagree, it is all I’ll be saying on the matter. Though maybe try and show a little more respect to doubleofive (and the others on here that make this place tick) - the man has spent considerable time and effort compiling the changes made to these movies. He is the ‘go-to’ man for that. Highlighting them, and other content he researches and finds, along with the reasoned comments he makes on them, is far from “irresponsible”.
Peace out.