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Imagine that there are people working at Lucasfilm who have the best interests of the Original Trilogy at heart. They want to see the movies given not only the best possible home video release, but also fully restored theatrical treatment. Let's call two of these people "Jim Ward" and "John Singh" for the sake of argument...
INT. LUCASFILM WATER COOLER - DAY
JIM: We've got to get the Original Unaltered Trilogy restored to its former glory.
JOHN: Yeah, but how? You know George will never agree to it. He wants the Special Editions to be the ONLY editions.
JIM: I'll just march into his office and tell him we need to do it, for the sake of history.
JOHN: You wanna get fired?
JIM: Well, what do you suggest?
John looks over his shoulders to make sure no-one is listening in, then leans in and whispers into Jim's ear.
CUT TO:
INT. GEORGE LUCAS'S OFFICE - DAY
JIM: George, I've got a great idea - let's release the Original Unaltered Trilogy on DVD.
GEORGE: Ha ha ha ha ha. Okay, so do you really have an idea or not?
JIM: I'm serious. Did you see how many people signed that petition at originaltrilogy.com?
GEORGE: Original what? Look, Jim, you know we pulled the negs apart for the SE, do you have any idea what it would cost to do the necessary restoration? And you know I don't want those versions out there.
JIM: It doesn't have to cost a dime. We can just make them from the '93 video masters.
GEORGE: Are you crazy? They're not even anamorphic! No-one releases letterboxed discs these days. Anyway, I don't want people buying them and thinking they own Star Wars. The Special Edition IS Star Wars. Don't forget that.
JIM: That's right, which is why we'll package them as bonus discs with the SE. That way it will be clear that the (ahem) enhanced edition is the one, true Star Wars.
GEORGE: Well, I don't know...
JIM: And we'll be able to get sales from a sector we haven't reached with the SE discs.
GEORGE: Sales?
CUT TO:
INT. LUCASFILM WATER COOLER - DAY
JIM: John, you're a genius. It happened just the way you said it would. Consider yourself promoted: I'm making you an official spokesman.
JOHN: Thanks Jim, but remember this is only Phase 1. When this thing sells like hot cakes, we have ammunition for the HD restoration.
JIM: The fans are gonna love us, we'll go down in history. I can't wait to log in to originaltrilogy.com after I make the announcement...