To my understanding yet, not like the original negativ that was used in the camera but pretty close to this.
Here is an example of a shot from the SE 97 and in comparison his restoration:
That first shot isn’t from the SE.
My point is merely that if Disney really wanted to release the original films they’d have done it by now. As people inside Lucasfilm have indicated, the primary obstacle to an official release is Lucas’s wishes. Some have interpreted that to mean it’s a contractual obligation; I find that unlikely. I think it’s simply a calculated trade-off.
Whatever Disney estimates they could earn from a release isn’t worth losing having Lucas in good (enough) graces to occasionally show up for the opening ceremony of a new theme park land or maybe drop in at Star Wars Celebration. In other words, they’re willing to risk alienating him over the direction of VII, VIII, and IX, but not on a home video release of the original movies. To me, that says all that needs to be said about how Disney estimates their value.
I really think people are overestimating this whole “they aren’t doing it out of respect to George” angle on the situation. First off no evidence blatantly spells out that’s what it is. You can refer to KK’s or JJ’s vague comments but they don’t exactly spell out its George. There is Pablo Hidalgo‘s Tweet from 2-3 years ago where he said something like “only one man is preventing it and he doesn’t wanna do it at this time” or whatever but again we don’t know for sure he means George. Maybe he was referring to a Disney higher up. Who knows??
Which leads me to my second point. It’s Disney’s property. George sold them LF, they bought out Fox, basically everything and anything SW is there’s free and clear. If they wanna do it they are well within there rights to do so. Frankly I think they haven’t done it because it’s just not a priority to them. They wanna sell you the new Trilogy and new TV shows, etc. If you ask me there probably in enough heat with George cause of the ST that releasing the OUT probably won’t even seem as big an offense to him at this point. I really don’t think he cares. It’s not his money anymore.
No matter what way you spin it it’s all speculation. Granted do I think if it was meant to happen it would have by now?? Yes. I definitely am in the boat, albeit begrudgingly, that feels it’s just a dead issue at this point. What we’re getting with these fan restorations is probably as good as it gets at this stage. Would I like to be proven wrong?? Sure but I have to be true about where it’s at at the moment.