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Return Of The Jedi's 40th anniversary

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25th May 2023 sees the 40th anniversary of the Return Of The Jedi.
 

There is already the usual official merchandise such as classic figures, playsets & vehicles, lego, tee shirts, lightsabers, coins, calendars, comics, Revell models, and those awful Funko Pops.

Some of it was even released in 2022. Even with the official “ROTJ at 40” logo on it!
 

How will you be celebrating the 40th anniversary?

What do you hope to see released as part of it? Apart from a unaltered cut release of the OT films?

I’m hoping for a new documentary on the making of ROTJ from the crew’s point of view. Or at least some new interviews and short videos put up on the official site, like they did for Empire’s 40th, and Star Wars’ 40th.
 

Edit: The official Star Wars website now has a “Return Of The Jedi at 40” portal: www.starwars.com/jedi-40th.
But there is nothing new of any substance on there yet (unless you count a new article linking to old deleted scenes).

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Man, it’s already 3 years from TESB’s 40th anniversary? The time does fly… I doubt they are showing this in theatres but one can hope. It is the only movie from the OT I haven’t seen on a big screen.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

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The one which started it for me; Dad took me in 83 as a four year old and here we are!

+1 to a cinema run (albeit we know what version they’d use!).

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+2 for the cinema.

Did they show Empire at the cinemas for the 40th anniversary in the end with Covid going on?
 

It would be fantastic to see this on the big screen again:

but I would reluctantly settle for watching one of the later “Special Edition” versions at the cinema if that was our only choice.

The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.

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Emre1601 said:

+2 for the cinema.

Did they show Empire at the cinemas for the 40th anniversary in the end with Covid going on?
 

It would be fantastic to see this on the big screen again:

but I would reluctantly settle for watching one of the later “Special Edition” versions at the cinema if that was our only choice.

ESB had a drive-in run in 2020, IIRC. It was the new 2019 Special Editions.

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I’m just wondering if another “From a Certain Point of View” book will come out.

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Dirge said:

Marooned Biker Scout said:

How will you be celebrating the 40th anniversary?

Barge Party at my house!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcD9fb9hyqM)

Amazing barge and figure collection, I love Luke taking a selfie, Oola flashing the band, and Boba chilling! Cool music too.

BedeHistory731 said:

I’m just wondering if another “From a Certain Point of View” book will come out.

I read the first one and enjoyed most of them. Was Empire’s version any good too?

If they do one for ROTJ I hope they have the Rancor keeper. And both a Rebel and Imperial perspective from after the DSII blew up. What happened? Did the Imperial fleet simply fly away and regroup somewhere, or stay and fight?

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Omni said:

Emre1601 said:

+2 for the cinema.

Did they show Empire at the cinemas for the 40th anniversary in the end with Covid going on?
 

It would be fantastic to see this on the big screen again:

but I would reluctantly settle for watching one of the later “Special Edition” versions at the cinema if that was our only choice.

ESB had a drive-in run in 2020, IIRC. It was the new 2019 Special Editions.

In my country they showed it for several weeks during summer since no new movies were coming in. And it was only the 2011 SE. It was like watching a Youtube video on a top3 biggest screens here.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

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I’ll be watching 4K83 version ? No DNR in May to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of RETURN OF THE JEDI. The 4K, not 1080p.

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4K83 v2.0

One day we will have properly restored versions of the Original Unaltered Trilogy (OUT); or 1977, 1980, 1983 Theatrical released versions (Like 4K77,4K80 and 4K83); including Prequels. So that future generations can enjoy these historic films that changed cinema forever.

Yoda: Try not, do or do not, there is no try.

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This anniversary seems to not have as much going on as the other two, but maybe there’ll be more come May. No word yet as to what classic 80s board game they’ll rerelease yet? Hoping for the Sarlacc Pit one, though I’d be happy with the Ewok game too.

You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll kiss three bucks goodbye!

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WookieeWarrior77 said:

This anniversary seems to not have as much going on as the other two, but maybe there’ll be more come May.

It feels that way. Maybe we’ll see more on it after Celebration finishes?

Star Wars Celebration in London is doing a “Return Of The Jedi at 40” panel. So far:

and Ian McDiarmid has been announced as well.

I also hope we’ll see some of the crew and ILM people who worked on the ROTJ, and that they live stream the panel or at least show it on the official YouTube channel soon after.

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JF_Sanderson said:

Never need a reason to celebrate Rotj! Happy 40 very soon.

Strange they are using the 1995 logo. I had no problem with the new branding on the THX set besides the “faces” were all masks/puppets/IP instead of the actors. Still strange it’s not the classic logo that’s copied by much other Star Wars media.

Yeah! The classic logo, or the logos used from 1983, are much cooler:

&bsp;
I have seen this “ROTJ at 40” logo online in a few places. Maybe an early version or fan made? I think it does look cool:

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The official Disney Fan Club says there will be a screening of Return Of The Jedi at Star Wars Celebration:

https://d23.com/the-magic-goes-global-with-d23-events-coming-to-europe-this-april/03_magic-goes-global_022023_1180w-600h/

It will probably be the 2019 Maclunkey version that is shown. Which is weird as hell given it is meant be for the 40th anniversary of ROTJ, and not its 4th anniversary.

The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.

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https://twitter.com/DarthInternous/status/1633934980559650816 - due out in September
 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714036/from-a-certain-point-of-view-return-of-the-jedi-star-wars-by-olivie-blake-saladin-ahmed-charlie-jane-anders-fran-wilde-mary-kenney-mike-chen-and-more/

"On May 25, 1983, Star Wars cemented its legacy as the greatest movie franchise of all time with the release of Return of the Jedi. In honor of the fortieth anniversary, forty storytellers re-create an iconic scene from Return of the Jedi through the eyes of a supporting character, from heroes and villains, to droids and creatures.

From a Certain Point of View features contributions by bestselling authors and trendsetting artists:

• Olivie Blake provides a chilling glimpse into the mind of Emperor Palpatine.
• Saladin Ahmed recounts the tragic history of the rancor trainer.
• Charlie Jane Anders explores the life and times of the Sarlacc.
• Fran Wilde reveals Mon Mothma’s secret mission to save the Rebel Alliance.
• Mary Kenney chronicles Wicket the Ewok’s quest for one quiet day on the forest moon of Endor.
• Anakin Skywalker becomes one with the Force in a gripping tale by Mike Chen"

 
 

This book on Return Of The Jedi also caught my eye. From the man who did the OT Filmumentaries and also the author of “Empire Strikes Back - The Unauthorized Timeline” book: https://twitter.com/tesbtimeline/status/1634031488684679168 & www.jeditimeline.com

The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.

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From https://sffgazette.com/sci_fi/star-wars/star-wars-a-classic-movie-is-receiving-an-unexpected-theatrical-a4810

"2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and we’ve already seen new merchandise start finding its way into stores.

However, a listing on the official Dolby website confirms the 1983 classic is heading back to theaters - in Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision - on April 28, 2023. This hasn’t been confirmed or announced by Disney and Lucasfilm, but makes sense even if it is somewhat surprising."

Looking like there could be a limited run in some cinemas for ROTJ. And in Dolby Vision too! 😃

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I’ll be watching Despecialized Edition of ROTJ on the anniversary, thank you Harmy for all your work on these!
And probably also playing some of the older OT games on the PC, if they still work. TIE-Fighter or X-Wing, or maybe the Rogue Squadron games on the nintendo.

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The “40 Years of Return of the Jedi” panel at Celebration 2023 can be watched at 1:55:45 into this video below:
 

Star Wars Celebration LIVE! 2023 - DAY 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi-b2c0RY7I - at the official Star Wars YouTube channel.

 
Unfortunately, “The Science of Return of the Jedi” panel was not broadcast or streamed live; because for some reason it was on at the exact same day and time as the “40 Years of Return of the Jedi” panel.

The 40 Years Later: Exploring the History Behind “Blue Harvest", Start Your Engines: Lambda Shuttle, and the Planet Leia panels are also not going to be shown live on the Star Wars YouTube channel.

So the 40 Years of Return of the Jedi panel was the only “ROTJ at 40” panel at Celebration 2023 that was shown live.

 
 


 

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Will Be Back in Theaters for 40th Anniversary Celebration at StarWars.com

 
'Jabba the Hutt. Speeder bikes. The Emperor and Ewoks. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is turning 40, and will make its own triumphant return this month.

Today, fans attending Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 were the first to learn that the beloved sixth chapter in the Skywalker saga, Return of the Jedi, is heading back to theaters — its first official release in 26 years. Starting April 28, Return of the Jedi will return to select theaters in the US, UK, and other regions for a limited time, welcoming a whole new generation of fans to enjoy a full theatrical presentation of the iconic film for the very first time.

As with the 40th anniversary screenings of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in 2020, a striking new poster commemorating Return of the Jedi’s theatrical return has been created, again by artist Matt Ferguson.
 

 
“I’m so happy and grateful to get to work on these movies again, even more so to be given the freedom to continue what I started with Empire,” says Ferguson. “For that poster, a cold mechanical vibe completely takes over the whole composition. But Return of the Jedi is very much the triumph of Luke and the Rebels, so I wanted to have more of the warmer colors coming back into the art, hence pivoting to green with red accents.”

With 40 years having passed since the original theatrical run of Return of the Jedi, and with the full Skywalker saga now in view, Ferguson decided to focus his composition on two of the saga’s most resonant and consequential figures – Luke and Vader.

“The artwork should tell a story, so for me it only made sense to give over the composition to those two characters,” he continues. “Will Luke be turned? Is Vader going to overcome the darkness? It’s all about the pull between good and evil.”

Screenings for Return of the Jedi in the US will take place April 28 – May 4, and April 28 – May 1 in the UK. Stay tuned to StarWars.com for updates on other regions and dates.’

 

It doesn’t say which version will be shown. But as others have said on here, it will probably be the 2019 Maclunkey version, so it will really be the 4th anniversary of Return Of The Jedi.

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I saw the new poster for the rerelease on Reddit today. Right now, it’s one of the most active threads on the site, for a reason that I’m sure a lot of people here will be proud of: Pretty much all the comments are demanding a release of the theatrical OT.

As a member of the site that created the Despecialized versions, it was so satisfying to go through that thread and see all the people saying things like “Will this be the original version?”, or “I wish Disney would release the original versions”, or “This is why I only watch Despecialized”. There are even people spreading the news about the 4K77 project to people who think Despecialized is still the best option to see the original movies in HD.

I thought people had pretty much stopped caring about the theatrical OT, but I think this proves that there’s still a ton of demand. If Disney releases the original versions, people will watch them. It’s a shame that they probably won’t.

My preferred Skywalker Saga experience:
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