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.
This.
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.
Yeah, it’s very telling of how many people care about seeing the original movies. It flies in the face of the claim that “Only a tiny vocal minority want those versions.” Many fans put up with the Special Editions, but if given the chance to buy remasters of the original cuts, they absolutely would.
But we can’t turn back. Fear is their greatest defense. I doubt if the actual security there is any greater than it was on Aquilae or Sullust. And what there is is most likely directed towards a large-scale assault.
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.
Yeah, it’s very telling of how many people care about seeing the original movies. It flies in the face of the claim that “Only a tiny vocal minority want those versions.” Many fans put up with the Special Editions, but if given the chance to buy remasters of the original cuts, they absolutely would.
George’s own friends Steven and Francis included all three versions of Close Encounters and Apocalypse Now on 4k. Even just last year the 4k rebuild of the director’s edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture was released in a special deluxe edition that included the “special longer version” originally cut together for home video in the 80’s along with the 1979 original, both also in 4k.
Even if they never want to release the older versions in theaters again, they’ll eventually run out of ways to repackage the same altered movies to us again and again on home video.
Also, it’s rather uncool of them to commission such a retro poster meant to evoke 1983 when we all know it once again won’t be that version.
The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, is playing a 35mm print of the SE with DTS sound which I had the pleasure of seeing a couple of years back. As with all things after 26 years, the print is a bit worn, but I’d much rather watch that than any later revisions.
“Oh my god, what’s wrong with your face?”
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
“Star Wars has, and will always be a restaurant.”
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Attack of the Clones: Alternate Timeline Edit Thread:
https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/SSWRs-Attack-of-the-Clones-Alternate-Timeline-Edit/id/66888
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
“Star Wars has, and will always be a restaurant.”
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
I’m definitely going to one of the 40th anniversary screenings, at this point, I really don’t care which version it is, just as long as it’s Return of the Jedi.
I’m not really that much of a movie purist. I really should’ve thought my name out a bit more.
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
The opening logos are different as well.
And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
The opening logos are different as well.
Yep. 20th Century Fox logo no longer has the NewsCorporation byline and the Lucasfilm logo has been updated.
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
The opening logos are different as well.
Those, and also I remember hearing that an entire reel was accidentally scanned out of focus which was fixed in/for 2019.
“Star Wars has, and will always be a restaurant.”
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
I’m seeing a 40th anniversary screening with some family and friends on Saturday. The theatrical cut would be preferable of course, but I’m just happy to see a good Star Wars film in theaters haha.
Was it ever clarified why Empire’s 40th anniversary screenings used the 2011 Blu-ray rather than the more recent 2019 transfer? Hopefully that won’t be the same case here…
Yes, I was just wondering this. Once you see it, could you let us know which version it is?
Sure!
The only thing that would really give it away is the color timing, as the 2011 and 2019 versions are basically otherwise identical.
The opening logos are different as well.
Those, and also I remember hearing that an entire reel was accidentally scanned out of focus which was fixed in/for 2019.
Well, yeah, but I feel like even that sort of difference would be easy to miss unless you’ve got sharp eyes.
I totally forgot about the Lucasfilm logo, though.
the screening i went to was the 2019 cut
the screening i went to was the 2019 cut
Same here, it looked like the remastered BD just on the big screen.
I’d recommend going regardless if it’s playing nearby, had a lot of great reactions in my theater. The SE changes stunk, but seeing the final battle on the big screen is something I’ll never forget.
“Star Wars has, and will always be a restaurant.”
Saw it today and yes ,it was the 2019 cut . The theater I went to has leather reclining seats with temperature controls in the arm rests and they use a DLP projector on a very large curved screen. Enjoyed it for the most part , but seemed to be a rainbow effect as there were straight red lines all around the corners of the screen. When I would move my head to the side , they would disappear and then come back when looking at all the edges of the screen. Was most prominent in bright outdoor scenes. Thought I was having problems with my eyes for a bit but then looked up issues with DLP projectors . Anyone else ever experienced this at a movie theater ?
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi Returns To The Top 5 At The Box Office 40 Years Later
www.slashfilm.com/1273043/star-wars-return-jedi-returns-top-5-box-office-40-years-later
'Yes, Disney decided to re-release “Return of the Jedi” in theaters to honor the film’s forthcoming 40th anniversary and, as it turns out, audiences still really love the original trilogy. Per The Numbers, the 1983 blockbuster added $4.69 million (from just 475 screens) to its ever-growing total. It now sits at $479 million globally through its various re-releases, most notably the 1997 “Special Edition” 20th anniversary release, which was a huge deal. If nothing else, it shows that there is still a pretty healthy appetite for “Star Wars” in theaters.
George Lucas’ finale to the original trilogy actually pushed “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (which added just over $4 million in its fifth weekend) out of the top five. That film’s disappointing run is truly starting to stall out at $194 million globally. Against a $150 million budget, this is not what Paramount or Hasbro had in mind, especially since the fantasy flick earned very positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. So it goes sometimes.’
Imagine how much it would have taken if it had actually been the 40 year old unaltered theatrical version, and not the 4 year old version from 2019.
Still, a great opportunity to see Return Of The Jedi on the big screen again.
Used this as a chance to see one of the OT in the theaters for the first time, with a packed theater to boot. Fun experience, even if it was a less than stellar cut. And oh boy did I notice the frozen grain in the current master, but the soundscape made up for it to a certain degree. And the relatively minimal changes in the back half of the film made me feel as though I was watching the original, even if only briefly.
Well , ROTJ has left the theaters in my area . I was hoping to catch one more screening. Ah well , ESB played at my local drive in later in September of 2020, maybe Jedi will too .
ILM now have an article on their website celebrating ROTJ’s 40th:
Visual Effects Supervisor Bill George on the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi
A “Return of the Jedi at 40” section in now up on the official website: www.starwars.com/jedi-40th
There is nothing new on there yet, apart from a quiz.
So far it is just old interviews with Denis Muren, or George & Leonard Maltin, clips from the film, old deleted scenes from the blu ray, ROTJ themed recipes, and old ROTJ articles.
Maybe there’ll be some new content on there soon? The past “Star Wars at 40” and “Empire at 40” sections did have some interesting new content. So I hope this will too.
Especially as the “Return of the Jedi at 40” panel at Celebration 2023 was so poor and disappointing, apart from Ming-Na Wen.
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.
No plans to actually watch the movie today, but I’m rocking my classic Jedi poster shirt, and maybe I’ll put the soundtrack on later.
(Happy birthday Frank Oz too!)
You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll kiss three bucks goodbye!
A “Return of the Jedi at 40” section in now up on the official website: www.starwars.com/jedi-40th
There is nothing new on there yet, apart from a quiz.
So far it is just old interviews with Denis Muren, or George & Leonard Maltin, clips from the film, old deleted scenes from the blu ray, ROTJ themed recipes, and old ROTJ articles.
There still isn’t much in the way of new content. Even the 3 “new interviews”
Ben Burtt and Randy Thom: https://www.starwars.com/news/jedi-at-40-ben-burtt-randy-thom
Dennis Muren & Phil Tippett: https://www.starwars.com/news/jedi-at-40-dennis-muren-phil-tippett
Thomas G. Smith: https://www.starwars.com/news/jedi-at-40-thomas-g-smith
appeared to be the same familiar stories and quotes
There doesn’t appear to be much effort put into them making anything new and worthwhile for ROTJ’s 40th anniversary. Also, a 3 minute “Celebrating 40 Years of Return of the Jedi - Star Wars Show” video which basically tells us to go on social media to find more about a “40th Reunion” party? Meh. 😦
I learnt to stop anticipating much effort or quality from Lucasfilm many years ago, it save me from being too disappointed. With a few obvious exceptions with the likes of Andor, Visions, early Mandalorian, and Bad Batch.
Watched Despecialzied 2.5 on the actual anniversary, and had a blast.
I did find these more interesting photos and articles too. The photos:
from https://twitter.com/ILMVFX/status/1661811470055911425
“Last weekend we celebrated George Lucas’ picture #ReturnoftheJedi at the 40th reunion. Photographed by ILM modelmaker Don Bies, these photos represent the crew, cast, friends, and families of ILM and Sprocket Systems on both Return of the Jedi and the Special Edition.”
Last time I checked it was a Richard Marquand movie. The photos are cool, ILM’s claim it was “George Lucas’ picture” is not.
and the three articles:
OPTICAL DOGS, DAILIES AND THE ORIGINS OF ‘CBB’: 40 YEARS OF ‘JEDI’ - at Before and Afters
A Bunch Of Muppets: The Monsters Of RETURN OF THE JEDI - at Fangoria
‘Return of the Jedi’ at 40: How ‘Star Wars’ legend Phil Tippett crafted special effects magic - at Space
“In the future it will become even easier for old negatives to become lost and be “replaced” by new altered negatives. This would be a great loss to our society. Our cultural history must not be allowed to be rewritten.” - George Lucas
There still isn’t much in the way of new content. Even the 3 “new interviews”
snip.
Yes, there still isn’t very much new content on there at all. One other new article:
Fashion Illustrator Marilee Heyer on Her Stunning Leia Concepts
But only that, that I can find.
I watched Despecialized 2.5 on the actual anniversary, and had a blast.
That is great. I watched 4K83 on the anniversary and it was great to see. Fan-made preservation content over the official releases all the way!
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.
Formerly Emre1601 - computer hard drives are brittle too!
The ‘bare minimum’ appears to be the ethos used by Lucasfilm for many years now when it comes to the Original Trilogy.
I wasn’t hoping for much on the 40th anniversary of Jedi, so I wasn’t too disappointed in the handful of articles they conjured up for it.
As long we those of us interested have the versions of the Original Trilogy we want, even it has been made by the fans, then that is more than enough for me. I’ll still sign any petition or put my name to asking for an official release of the unaltered cuts, but at this point I think us fans would do a better job than a possible official release would.
If Lucasfilm’s last release of the theatrical cuts is to be those awful 2006 GOUT DVDs it says a lot about them, and their attitude to the Original Trilogy, and none of it is good.
“Don’t tell anyone… but when ‘Star Wars’ first came out, I didn’t know where it was going either. The trick is to pretend you’ve planned the whole thing out in advance. Throw in some father issues and references to other stories - let’s call them homages - and you’ve got a series.” - George Lucas
