there’s far less incentive for Disney to release the unaltered original trilogy than fans estimate (the home video market is effectively dead and the number of people who know or care enough to seek out the original versions of these movies are diminishing by the day).
I think you’re massively underestimating the Star Wars fanbase, in particular the fanbase of those who love the original film in its original theatrical form. This is a movie that literally millions of dedicated Star Wars fans haven’t been able to see, in an official way, for over 20 years (crappy GOUT version excluded).
And the home video market is nowhere near dead. What a strange thing to say. It’s pivoted to digitally-owned movies, sure. But dead? No way. In fact, it’s stronger than ever.
If Disney were to release the original theatrical version in 4K, the press would be all over it, and thousands upon thousands of people would buy or rent it. Guaranteed. Not to mention, with a little bit of marketing, Disney would reach the casual fans of the series who maybe hadn’t realized they’ve been watching an altered version.
Disney is literally sitting on a gold mine with this.