Lucas WILL release all the films in a special boxset which is set to released in 2006 or more likely 2007 (A New Hope's 30th Anniversary). The biggest news is however that many more changes HAVE been made to the films (mainly episodes IV-VI).
Below are the details for every disk being released in the boxset containing all the films.
THE PHANTOM MENACE:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. Some of Jar Jar Binks's lines have been removed and some have been changed
2. Improved CGI backgrounds in certain scenes
3. Yoda's facial expressions are now mostly CGI (body still puppet)
4. Darth Sidious digitally shadowed so his face is more hidden
5. A scene has been added where Qui-Gon lectures Obi-Wan about the importance of his lightsaber (filmed during episode I)
6. Several short shots have been added at various points in the film of the Naboo labour camps and people suffering in them (filmed during episode III)
7. During the underwater journey, the second Sando monster attack with a Colo Claw fish has been cut
Running Time Before: 133mins New Running Time: 132mins
Features:-
Slightly altered audio commentary (because film will be slightly shorter)
Deleted Scenes
Original Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Duel Of The Fates Music Video Featuring John Williams
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production
ATTACK OF THE CLONES:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. The Jedi Raid on the Droid Control ship has been completed and added to the film (orginal scene filmed during episode II, additional footage shot during episode III)
2. The noises Yoda makes while fighting Dooko have been changed
3. One of C-3PO's lines has been changed and another one has been removed
4. Darth Sidious digitally shadowed so his face is more hidden
5. When Mace Windu shows up on Genosis, the shots showing him slowly walk up to Dooku and Jango is cut.
6. A short scene has been added where Anakin talks with Owen Lars (filmed during episode II)
Running Time Before: 142mins New Running Time: 145mins
Features:-
Slightly longer audio commentary (because film will be slightly longer)
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Teasers
Launch Trailer
TV Spots
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production
REVENGE OF THE SITH:
The Additions:
1. A scene has been added where Yoda explains to Obi-Wan who erased Kamino from the Jedi files and that he is going to await contact on the planet Dagabah (filmed during episode III)
2. An extended battle on Kassakk that shows more battling & Yoda and Chewbacca fighting (filmed during episode III)
3. The Dooko Vs Anakin & Obi-Wan duel is slighly longer (filmed during episode III)
Running Time Before: 140mins New Running Time: 144mins
Features:-
Audio commentary
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
John Williams Music Video
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production
EPISODES I-III BONUS DISK:
'From Dreams to Reality' (in depth making of the Prequel Trilogy including interviews with George Lucas, Rick Macallum, John Williams, Ewan Mc Gregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christian, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Anthony Daniels & Christopher Lee) It runs at about 2hrs 40mins
Preview of 'Clone Wars 3D' television series
Blooper Reel (over 6 & a half mins)
'Extending the Saga' (an in-depth look at how the Lucas's original plot for Star Wars has changed)
'CGI'ing the Movies' (an in-depth look at how CGI has had a dramatic effect on the Prequel Trilogy)
'Saber Fights' (A documentary regarding all the lightsaber fights in the Prequel Trilogy. Presented by Nick Gillard)
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome
'The Fans’ (Documentary on how Star Wars has created generations of fans, how it's affected their lives and how fans have expanded the Saga with the likes of fan films, fan fiction & fan art)
44 Web-Docs chronicling the making of the Prequel Trilogy: 12 from Episode I, 12 from Episode II and 20 from Episode III
Exclusive DVD-ROM Content
A NEW HOPE:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. The 'Imperial March' music has been added to Vader's first appearance
2. When Obi-Wan is talking to Luke about his father Anakin’s theme music can heard in the background and when Obi-Wan starts talking about Vader it changes to the Imperial March
3. Luke’s lightsaber is blue throughout the film
4. In several scenes where creatures are seen (e.g. The Cantina) some have been replaced by creatures seen in the prequels
5. The bleeding arm Obi-Wan slices off a creature in the Cantina does not have blood seen on it
6. Just before the Death Star destroys Alderaan there is a new scene added where different places on the planet can be seen along with Bail Organa. Shots include Bail being warned of the Death Star, the destruction on the planet which includes massive earthquakes, fire and people frantically trying to escape, you see Bail looking up into the blackened sky before the planet totally blows up (filmed during episode III)
7. The Death Star’s computers and screens have been improved
8. The opening text crawl's last paragraph has changed slightly. The line 'headed by Governor Tarkin and the evil Sith lord Darth Vader' has been added into it.
9. Luke looks upset when Biggs dies and he sheds a tear (all CGI & PRT)
10. The duel between Vader & Obi-Wan is roughly a minute longer as there are more shots of the lightsabers clashing and them moving about (done using CGI, PRT & Stuntmen playing Vader & Obi-Wan). Music has been added to the scene as well (details unknown yet)
11. Just before the medal ceremony at the end, a scene has been added where Vader lands his damaged ship on Coruscant to meet Palpatine. They discuss the destruction of the Death Star, Obi-Wan, & finding the Rebels (filmed during Episode III)
12. Vader's mask eyes remain black throughout the film and his suit is shinier.
13. John Williams has rescored the music for some of the scenes (details unknown yet apart from changes 1 & 2 in this list)
14. A shot of a Rebel ship crashing into Death Star has been removed and replaced with better effects
15. The Death Star's countdown timer has been altered so it is clear it is counting down from 30 minutes
16. The Millennium Falcon's dish has been added in shots where it is missing
17. C-3PO’s line 'there won't be an escape for the princess this time" has been changed to “there be no escape this time”
18. The 20th Century Fox Fanfare & Logo have been updated
19. The end credits have been updated
Running Time Before: 125mins New Running Time: 130mins
Features:-
Altered Audio Commentary (because of changes)
'A Completed Saga' (interview with George Lucas about the new changes to A New Hope, why he made them and comparing them to the previous versions)
6 Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. Some shots where Taun-taun’s can be seen have been changed so the Tuan-tuan’s have more movement and look more realistic
2. While the battle of Hoth is going on, Imperial ships land near the Rebel base and a few more shots of ships flying and being destroyed have been added
3. Some of the views of Bespin (for example the background where Luke is holding on to the metal poles beneath a building) have been improved to look more realistic and ships can be seen flying around in the distance
4. A scene has been added where Yoda is teaching Luke how to fight with a lightsaber made possible by Luke wearing a helmet while training (a stunt double plays him, Mark Hamill provides the voice although it is digitally dubbed)
5. The Wampa scenes have been edited and restored into the film as well as new scenes added. We see a Wampa being brought into the Rebel base and locked into a room with other Wampa’s. Later C-3PO rips the sign off the door the Wampa’s are behind stating their there and when the Stormtroopers enter the base they open the door only to be attacked by the Wampa’s who then can be seen escaping as the Millennium Falcon blasts off out of Hoth
6. Lightsaber effects improved
7. The sound of Luke’s lightasber turning off as he exits the cave has been removed
8. Some of Yoda's facial expressions have been improved with CGI
9. John Williams has rescored the music for some of the scenes (details unknown yet)
10. There is a line added and one changed in the hologram scene (details unknown yet)
11. The landscape of Dagobah through the fog has been extended using CGI.
12. In the opening text crawl the words “The evil lord Darth Vader” has changed to “The evil Sith Lord Darth Vader”
13. The line Vader says 'Set your course for the Hoth system, I am sure Skywalker is with them' has been changed to 'Set your course for the Hoth system, the rebels have no escape this time'
14. The Star Destroyer hanger Vader returns too has been altered as the surroundings have been changed with CGI.
15. The 20th Century Fox Fanfare & Logo have been updated
16. The end credits have been updated
Running Time Before: 129mins New Running Time: 134mins
Features:-
Altered Audio Commentary (because of changes)
'A Completed Saga' (interview with George Lucas about the new changes to The Empire Strikes Back, why he made them and comparing them to the previous versions)
3 Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production
RETURN OF THE JEDI:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:
1. In the battle on Endor more Ewoks and Stormtroopers can be seen fighting and dieing and some parts of the battle have been edited out, members of Han’s team can be seen fighting as well (these scenes were shot during the production of Episode I, 7 years ago)
2. Vader uses the force to reclaim his lightasber after he throws it at Luke and the sound of him turning it on again has been removed
3. The lightasber duel between Luke and Vader is slightly longer (just more shots of clshing lightsabers)
4. The lightsaber effects have been improved
5. Vader has a flashback of Padme after his talk with Luke when he first meets him on Endor (filmed during Episode III)
6. Kashyyk & Utapau have been added to the end celebration scenes
7. Some of Yoda's facial expressions have been improved because of CGI
8. Boba Fett's scream has been changed
9. Chewbacca's Tarzan call has been removed and replaced with a different sound
10. John Williams has rescored the music for some of the scenes (details unknown yet)
11. Some of the battle shots have been cut and replaced with longer improved ones
12. Some shots with Ewoks are now partially CG (mainly facial expressions)
13. While Vader is watching the Emperor killing Luke we see and hear snippets of his life flash by (they include winning podrace, mother’s death, killing Dooko, kissing Padme, helping Sidious defeat Mace, dueling with Obi-Wan, being burned by lava, striking down Obi-Wan & Luke falling from a platform). The whole section adds about 20 seconds to that scene
14. Qui-Gon now appaers with the other ghosts after Luke turns away and the final shot of the film is now of them. (Apprantly the shot of Qui-Gon used in this scene is from episode I as Liam Neeson demanded lots of money to shoot this scene and one for episode III. Lucas decided not to use him so just had Yoda mention Qui-Gon in epsiode III and use a shot of him from episode I for his ghost.
IMAGES!
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9894/quigon12us.png (Qui-Gon appears and walks in to join the other ghosts)
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/5807/quigon21vv.png (He stands and looks on at with them)
15. The 20th Century Fox Fanfare & Logo have been updated
16. The end credits have been updated
Running Time Before: 135mins New Running Time: 138mins
Features:-
Altered Audio Commentary (because of changes)
'A Completed Saga' (interview with George Lucas about the new changes to Return of the Jedi, why he made them and comparing them to the previous versions)
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
4 Deleted Scenes
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production
EPISODES IV-VI BONUS DISK:
'Empire of Dreams' (in depth making of the 0rginal Trilogy documentary that traces the evolution of Star Wars from a low-budget, labour-of-love space saga to a movie phenomenon that defied the odds and reinvented the rules. At its core, Empire of Dreams tells the story of an independent filmmaker who had to innovate and invent an entirely new way of creating motion pictures. Featuring all-new interviews with George Lucas and more than 40 members of the cast and crew from all three films, Empire of Dreams also includes appearances by a host of filmmakers and media personalities, along with never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the three films. This new documentary brings viewers the most comprehensive look at a pioneer who triumphed against the odds to create an enduring modern fairy tale that has captivated the world) It runs at about 2hrs 30mins
Blooper Reel (over 7 mins)
'The Birth of the Lightsaber' (Its unforgettable hum and scintillating glow are instantly recognizable around the world, and now viewers will discover the origins of this elegant weapon from a more civilized age. This documentary, devoted to the lightsaber, features insight from George Lucas, cast and crew into the history of the iconic laser sword. It showcases the genesis of the lightsaber stunt and special-effects work and illustrates how each film in the Star Wars saga has surpassed the previous one with spectacular action set pieces featuring the Jedi's most trusted weapon)
'The Characters of Star Wars' (An in-depth look at how favourite characters came to be, featuring rare concept art, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with George Lucas and the cast and crew who shaped the screen's favorite heroes--Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO--and the greatest villain of all, Darth Vader)
'The Force Is With Them: 'The Legacy of Star Wars' (Star Wars opened up a galaxy of possibilities to a generation of filmmakers and creative talents. Viewers will hear first-hand from some of the most notable filmmakers of our time about how influential the Star Wars movies have been to their lives)
‘Inspiration to an epic' (A look at the many inspirations George Lucas had to create the world of 'Star Wars')
Saga Trailer (A Trailer for the entire whole Saga)
15 Featureless: 4 from Episode IV chronicling storyline, design, costumes and visual effects, 5 from Episode v chronicling storyline, action scenes, fight sequences, darkness and love story,6 from Episode VI chronicling storyline, design, action scenes, ending the saga, visual effects and fight sequences
Exclusive DVD-ROM Content
Ever since the 1997 Special Editions speculation has grown that an ultimate edition of the films will be released at some time as the interviews below show:-
GEORGE LUCAS 1997:
Maltin: "Congratulations on the great success of the trilogy special editions at the worldwide box office and congratulations with the recent video release of the special editions. Before we begin to take on-line reader's questions, I would like to ask you one question about the trilogy: Is it now complete; exactly the way you want it?"
Lucas: "No, for the simple reason that a film is always an unfinished project. There is never enough time or money to make a film exactly the way you want it. There's always something that you can do to make it look better. We only had $ 10 million dollars to touch up A New Hope and there are still some things about it and the other two films that I would like to see changed and a couple of scenes that I may still want to add."
JOHN WILLIAMS:
“I am thrilled to have the chance to go back to something I composed in 1977 and be able to make the entire saga continuous theme-wise. Notably absent in the first movie is the Imperial March. Being able to insert that theme in the first movie will create a much stronger emotional flow throughout the Saga. After the release of Episode III George will enhance the original trilogy with additional scenes and special effects, adding my adjustments to the score this will seamlessly branch the entire Star Wars Saga into one massive romantic space opera. I think something of this magnitude has never been done before."
RICK MCCALLUM:
”Three years is a long time, but that’s how long it takes,” he said of the delayed transition. But what, you may ask, is taking up the time exactly? Well, never one to do things half-heartedly, Lucas isn’t happy with a DVD of the original edits, nor, it would seem, of the enhanced Special Editions. Having previously confessed to shooting a number of additional scenes for the original trilogy while filming Episode II and with many more to be lensed during the third prequel’s production, George has made it his mission to complete the story once and for all. And so, we asked, will this spanking new footage make its debut on the DVD releases when they finally arrive? “Absolutely,” confided McCallum with a conspiratorial grin."
The boxset set to be released in 2006/07 should be the ultimate editions of the films and the saga will once and for all be complete!
P.S-
A Prequel Trilogy Boxset has been confirmed to be released in 2006 with the new changes to the films (no date as yet)
The 'Revenge of the Sith' DVD released next month will NOT include the few changes to the films, it will be the theatrical version.
I've asked my source about the new Orginal Trilogy Boxset set to be released in December and all he knows is that it difinantly won't be the orignal theatrical versions or the 1997 Special Editions. He also stated that the films will not be changed again.
Once again the information I have is purely on the 6 Film 'Saga Boxset' and the changes to the films have been made for that and the Prequel Trilogy Boxset only, not the Orginal Trilogy boxset being released in Decmeber or the Revenge of the Sith DVD in November.
I assure you this information 100 percent true. Sources were previously found at the following websites and info will start reamerging on them soon: -
www.theforce.net
www.comingsoon.net
www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html
The main bulk of info has been removed from these sites. Looks like Lucas's spy's are on the look-out.