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The Theatrical Blu-ray – Return of the Jedi Fan Project

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The intent of this project is to create a despecialized viewing of Return of the Jedi that is equal in quality to the UHD Blu-ray. Using the Blu-ray as a base, this project will not be truly theatrical but instead a hybrid that attempts to imitate what an ‘official’ theatrical Blu-ray release might have looked like.

Many of the despecialized shots included were made using After Effects while others are simply colour-matched and cleaned in Premiere.

Removed CGI dug from Jabba’s palace.

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Restored the original Sarlaac pit and audio

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Removed CGI Ewok Eyes

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Replaced Hayden Christensen with Sebastian Shaw

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These are just four of the shots I’ve re-composited, right now there are currently over sixty remastered shots in total that span the entire film.
I need to clarify that this project is not guaranteed to be a complete despecialization when it’s finished, in fact, I currently have no plans to do so. The purpose of this thread is simply to document and gather feedback on the re-composites I’ve been working on, so I’ll try to post more over time.

Sources (for your information):

  • Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi UHD Bluray
  • 4K83 v1.3 (10bit)

—Jen

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FWIW, there are two high-profile projects working toward the same goal: OTD83 and Harmy’s Despecialized Edition ROTJ 3.0. It may help people differentiate your project from the others if you give your project an identity that’s clearly different from the rest, and highlight what may be unique about yours. Otherwise I fear your work may be lost in the crowd. Good luck!

Project Threepio (Star Wars OOT subtitles)

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Thank you for the heads up, I am aware of these projects. What I want is simply feedback and I don’t so much mind the entrepreneurial stuff.

—Jen

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JeremyJenki said:

Thank you for the heads up, I am aware of these projects. What I want is simply feedback and I don’t so much mind the entrepreneurial stuff.

As soon as I saw the title of this thread I found it quite odd since you’re not Harmy.

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Well then if I could change the title I would.

I was really hoping for a different nature of discussion.

—Jen

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If you can’t edit the title of this thread, it might be worth starting a new thread (and just let this one roll off the first page). The current title still catches me every time and I already know you’re not Harmy 😉

Project Threepio (Star Wars OOT subtitles)

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If you look between your orignal post and CatBus’ first response there’s a second Edit button. You can edit the thread title with that.

Forum Moderator
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This looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see your work on ESB!

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Thanks, but I have no plans for ESB I’m sorry to say. 4K80 is on the horizon though.

—Jen

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JeremyJenki said:

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More recomps of the sarlaac pit.

I think it’s super cool that the little “shutter” in the new clip caused by removing the beak makes the Sarlaac seem more alive in a strange sort of way.

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BrotherOfSasquatch said:

I think it’s super cool that the little “shutter” in the new clip caused by removing the beak makes the Sarlaac seem more alive in a strange sort of way.

Yep, practical effects beat CGI every single time.

Project Threepio (Star Wars OOT subtitles)

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That looks beautiful! I’ve personally never seen such an accurate matching of the blu-ray quality. great work!

-TGWNN

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I found a video of Le Grand Rex (a French cinema) showing an original French print of Return of the Jedi, mind-blowingly: https://youtu.be/1vQ8xsNtMWA

Hiya, hiya, hiya! It is I, Yoda, to tell you life lessons that age like soda! Oh wait, that sounded wrong.

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Fantastic to hear you are working on this. Harmy’s is pretty low quality and 4k83 and otd83 look to washed out for my preference. I know ROTJ was always les vibrant then ANH and ESB but i hope you will chose for a more vibrant approach.

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Do you have any more screen shots or clips to show off the progress?

Frank Dux is a dangerous dude!

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Haven’t been able to work on this lately, apologies.

—Jen

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JeremyJenki said:

Haven’t been able to work on this lately, apologies.

It’s cool. Take your time.

Frank Dux is a dangerous dude!

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I have viewed OTD83 v1.2 I think multiple times and I don’t see any special edition changes it seems like it’s 100% theatrical and beautiful and kinda better than 4k83 in my opinion no offense.

What do you guys think?

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omas4071 said:

I have viewed OTD83 v1.2 I think multiple times and I don’t see any special edition changes it seems like it’s 100% theatrical and beautiful and kinda better than 4k83 in my opinion no offense.

What do you guys think?

Mm no IIRC it has most of the special edition’s updated compositing.

—Jen

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JeremyJenki said:

Mm no IIRC it has most of the special edition’s updated compositing.

That’s why it looks good… because it’s quality over authenticity. which in my opinion isn’t how you go about a “restoration” but more of a Remaster or a “reconstruction”
This and Harmy’s DeEd are the most accurate and in my opinion best “reconstructions”.
But 4K83 is the best “restoration”.

-TGWNN