To reiterate, I'm not defending the re-fucking of the films, I'm CERTAINLY not defending keeping the original versions unavailable (and to those assholes snidely quipping that those of us who WANT to watch the originals go and watch our VHS, Lucas hasn't made those availble for YEARS!!!!!! Literally, if you want to watch the originals, there is no current supply EXCEPT the bootlegs). However, read the articles on the restoration and digitizing of the films for this release. What was done, as I pointed out, was to start a brand new restoration on the existing prints, clean and repair them, and prep a new HD digital master copy which will never degrade the way celluloid does, regardless of how well it's treated. Every frame of every film was done, not a few scenes. It IS an expensive process. I agree that any expense incurred will be recouped ABSOLUTELY, in probably the initial week of sales. Not the point. You can't fault the man as lying about that part of the process, it happened.
I've also wondered about this whole "milking" of the films. How much of what's gone on (and, to be honest, the films have been released an APPALLING number of times in different editions) is Lucasfilm, and how much is Fox. While I'm sure Lucasfilm okayed the various releases, I have a hunch it was something more like FOX video driving a dump-truck full of cash down Lucas Valley road to the ranch and asking permissions to re-issue the films. It's entirely Fox's style to keep flogging a sure thing, and, honestly, if it were your company, wouldn't you be tempted to say "Oh, alright...make the cheque out to 'George'"? Additionally, how much of this current release is Lucasfilm's idea, and how much is Fox's begging and pleading in a year they don't have any huge holliday sellers? Just some stream of conciousness thought....