I honestly thought that George would never do it, but I’m glad to be proven wrong. With so many changes made to this movie, a re-release of the original version and in higher quality was very due.
As of last year, George still seemed opposed to releasing the originals. He was asked directly at Cannes 2024, and grumbled about “We released them on DVD, but no one wanted them! Everyone said they looked terrible! It would cost millions of dollars to restore them! It’s my movie and I can change what I want!”
Once he sold the company in 2012, he gave up all control over things like this.
I seriously doubt they asked for his blessing, since they don’t need it. And Bob Iger supposedly doesn’t get along well with him anyway since he rejected his story ideas for Episodes 7-9 and he didn’t like the sequels.
What confuses me is why they waited so long.
Disney could’ve done this immediately after buying Lucasfilm, or for the 40th anniversary.
So I wonder who changed their mind, and why.