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"..secret to the future is quantity," Lucas said — Page 2
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The people who worked on that film were employed by Lucas to realize his vision for these films. They produced a ton of stuff that never even made it to the original theatrical version, should they feel slighted by that too? What about the actress who played Beru in ANH? Her voice wasn't dubbed over in the initial theatrical run, and was later. What about the people who put together the "man in suit" version of the rancor they never used in the end? What about Luke's friends on Tatooine that now aren't in the movie at all? Is it -ever- okay for Lucas to make an executive creative decision? Or does he lose that right only when you have seen his movie? And Lucas didn't get rid of it, he merely made it better (to him).
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It means that more people saw it and it was more popular. There are movies which made less money than the prequels which are better films. I'm not saying the prequels are bad films, I'm just saying that the fact that they made money does not make them good or bad.
Go to Amazon.com where TPM and AOTC have a 3.5 and ROTS has a 4.5, the OOT release have 2.5s and 2.0s because of their quality, and the trilogy boxed set has 3.5 because of the SEs. Sure, it's occured to me. But how long will people think that the productions are worth their money if he keeps putting out things like this?
Why would the fans make those comments? Lucas cares about nobody's opinion but his own. That's not a bad thing, but people have not "demonized" him. Since ROTJ, he's been insulting the fansbase by his treatment of the OOT. Perhaps if he put out a high quality product, the ridiculous negativity would stop.
How many of those people do you think that there are? Sooner or later, the cash cow will run dry.
Then he wouldn't have. He did so only for the sake of making money. Pleasing his fans had nothing to do with this. Lucas does have to do anything he doesn't want to do.
No one I know.
He didn't need to release the O-OT at all to sell Star Wars DVD's. He didn't want to release it at all, and changed his mind because of pettitions like this. It's not like he just now realized he could make more money by releasing 2 versions of each of his movies. He fought this for a long time.
He changed his mind because he couldn't sell the rest of the stock of the 2004 SEs to prep for his 2007 versions. Again, I ask, how many more people would have bought the SEs if the OOT had not been the selling point? Certainly not enought to make the sales as high as they are now.
I held my breath this long, and I'll keep holding it.
If it doesn't exist, then how do you explain this September release? To Lucas the updated versions are his way of making the end result of all those artisian's contributions as good as he can (in his opinion). Should he have left the bad matte lines in from the optical compositing? After all that was the blood and sweat of real aritistic professionals.
In his opinion? How about the opinions of others? The September release? How do I explain it? Lucas wanted to make money, that's how I explain it.
Yeah and sometimes they use a laserdisc transfer for a DVD release. Lucas isn't the first one to do it.
Not in 2006, and not for the most popular and influential films ever made.
Then you don't have to buy it now do you? I'm sure Lucas won't mind if only the people who think this is good buy it.
I'm not. Lucas doesn't care. You keep talking like he knows that we exist or does things for us. He wants money. That's it. Again, is that a bad thing? No, it's not like he's hurting anyone but himself. Is he the first or the last? No.
Gee really? I hadn't noticed. I'm sorry, I didn't know that the Star Wars fanbase was really only made up of the people who post here.
That was a little uncalled for. I'm trying to be polite. You're right, nor does it consist only of the people at TFN.
Here's the bottom line: The 2006 DVD release of the OOT is not acceptable by the stards of the DVD industry, which Lucas himself helped to set. That can be spun any number of ways, but Lucas's not wanting to release this is not an excuse.
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
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If you guys can't even give him a pittance of credit for this release (albeit it's not anamorphic) then what incentive does he have to give more of a crap?
If Lucas was just about making money, he wouldn't have held off with the 2004 DVD release as long as he had. If Lucas was just about making money, he wouldn't have originally planned to wait until he was finished with these films before releasing them. If Lucas was just about making money, there would be an episode 7 8 and 9 in the works.
If you guys would just release your hate then maybe you would be able to see that.
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Oh beleive me he is not hurting himself by any stretch of the imagination.
If you guys can't even give him a pittance of credit for this release (albeit it's not anamorphic) then what incentive does he have to give more of a crap?
If Lucas was just about making money, he wouldn't have held off with the 2004 DVD release as long as he had. If Lucas was just about making money, he wouldn't have originally planned to wait until he was finished with these films before releasing them. If Lucas was just about making money, there would be an episode 7 8 and 9 in the works.
If you guys would just release your hate then maybe you would be able to see that.
I don't hate him. Why do you keep saying that I hate him? I don't know him why should I hate him? He's not gettting credit for this release because it is not up to industry standards. And its selling well, which seems to indicate that some people are giving him credit. There's no VII, VIII, and IX in the works because of the T.V. series, which is cheaper. There is no proper OOT DVD release for me to buy. That's all there is to it. I certainly bear the man no ill will.
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
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Lucas wasn't insulting you by making his own movies better in his mind. To him he was giving his own movies the respect and care he felt they deserved, and he spent more time and money doing that than anyone else has so far for their own movies.
And for a lot of us it won't be enough no matter what Lucas does or doesn't do.
Regardless of his detracotrs, Star Wars will be selling well beyond his years and our own.
Once the generation who felt slighted by him pass on, future generations will wonder what the hell all the fuss was about methinks.
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Because if Lucas doesn't release the O-OT he's a jerk, and when he does he's still a jerk, just because it's not the best quality possible.
Lucas wasn't insulting you by making his own movies better in his mind. To him he was giving his own movies the respect and care he felt they deserved, and he spent more time and money doing that than anyone else has so far for their own movies.
And for a lot of us it won't be enough no matter what Lucas does or doesn't do.
Regardless of his detracotrs, Star Wars will be selling well beyond his years and our own.
Once the generation who felt slighted by him pass on, future generations will wonder what the hell all the fuss was about methinks.
He was insulting us by dening the release, then releasing it in a substandard release. You're right, its not the best quality possible. But it could and should be. Hence the criticism. That's all. I sure as hell don't hate him or bear him any ill will.
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
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I highlighted a few words for you. While his intentions may have been noble, the result was disastrous and to equate it with him using care and respect is absurd. By this logic, Michael Jackson was just giving his appearance care and respect over the years, and should be appreciated for it, as should anyone else who partakes in self-mutilation. In fact, maybe I'll give my girlfriend the care and respect she deserves by punching her in the nose.
See, doesn't work that way buddy.
As for the article, I quit paying attention to Lucas a long time ago. Not only has he lost any perspective or insight he might have once had, but usually after he tries to explain some novel idea or brilliant premise he's thought of, it turns out to be something droll and inane.
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Maybe hate is too strong a word, and sure I -do- understand the frustration regarding the lack of anamorphic release for the O-OT.
But he did go out of his way to do the THX version with the warning that it would be the last time to get it. To me that doesn't sound like he's insulting the people who liked those versions just as they were.
And I just think it's a pretty narrow point of view to equate everything Lucas does with a desire for money.
I just think it's pretty extreme not to at the very least aknowledge that he did this september release for us, even if money is another concern.
Sure the guy didn't give it the 5 star treatment, but he did do it.
I just think that the next step in getting him to reconsider doing an anamorphic or even future HD or better releases is to give the man just a pittance of respect for changing his mind at all.
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I just think that the next step in getting him to reconsider doing an anamorphic or even future HD or better releases is to give the man just a pittance of respect for changing his mind at all.
That's reasonable.
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Please forgive me, I shouldn't have eaten one of everything at old country buffet today at lunch, and I've become a bit cranky.
Maybe hate is too strong a word, and sure I -do- understand the frustration regarding the lack of anamorphic release for the O-OT.
But he did go out of his way to do the THX version with the warning that it would be the last time to get it. To me that doesn't sound like he's insulting the people who liked those versions just as they were.
And I just think it's a pretty narrow point of view to equate everything Lucas does with a desire for money.
I just think it's pretty extreme not to at the very least aknowledge that he did this september release for us, even if money is another concern.
Sure the guy didn't give it the 5 star treatment, but he did do it.
I just think that the next step in getting him to reconsider doing an anamorphic or even future HD or better releases is to give the man just a pittance of respect for changing his mind at all.
Thanks. My apologies too. I think that we both got carried away, and its nice to see that we have gotten to look at each other's side of the argument. My apologies. I think that we both have valid points.
Originally posted by: Go-Mer-Tonic
I just think that the next step in getting him to reconsider doing an anamorphic or even future HD or better releases is to give the man just a pittance of respect for changing his mind at all.
That's reasonable.
Good point. And if Gomer is with us, we stand a better chance. You're a valuable member like everyone else here. I should have jumped on you like that. I apologize.
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
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What kind of crap could he make for $4 mill?
Manos: The Hands Of Fate 2
Breakin' 3: Taking It To The Streets
Star Wars VII: The "Lost" Years
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Thanks guys.
I may not be against Lucas, but I am certainly for getting the O-OT in better quality.
I'm for making it so as many people can be happy with Star Wars as possible, no matter how much of it they enjoy.
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Wow, I didn't expect to return to this.
Thanks guys.
I may not be against Lucas, but I am certainly for getting the O-OT in better quality.
I'm for making it so as many people can be happy with Star Wars as possible, no matter how much of it they enjoy.
I again apologize. Please forgive my outbursts. They were inappropriate and you did not deserve them. I lost my temper. I apologize.
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
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Pigs get second chance
In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. will release a twelve-disc boxed set of the Star Wars Saga in 2007. The set will contain all three prequels as well as the three original films, with new special effects and enhancements. Producer Rick McCallum said, "At last, we are able to present George's original vision. For instance, in Return of the Jedi, the Gamorrean guard that falls into the rancor pit will sprout wings and fly away, taking Luke to safety."
I have to admit I'm kind of intrigued by this change. It'll probably be regarded as one of the "safe" changes by most O-OT fans, like the Battle of Yavin and fixing Lando's erection.
Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived.
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The only reason I got this September release was for the O-OT bonus discs, as I already have the 04 set (of course I passed on the 05 set even though the box art was cool).
I will be getting the box set next year regardless, because I also happen to enjoy the full saga with SE's and have to see how he has tweaked them further.
Edit: Lando's Erection?
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It's all good, I'm just glad we were able to rise above it in the end.
I was having a lot of personal problems today and wanted to burn off some steam. Unfortunatley, you got in the way of my warpath. Please accept my sinceares apologies. I'd PM you if I could.
What?
I am personally hedging my bets just in case he really doesn't do another O-OT release.
Ah, the catch 22.
“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
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Fans have eagerly awaited the first three "Star Wars" films on DVD, a release Lucas initially intended to delay until he finished "Episode III."
Some will be miffed that the original theatrical versions are not included in the "Star Wars" boxed set, which features only the special-edition versions Lucas issued in the late 1990s, with added effects and footage, including a scene between Harrison Ford's Han Solo and crime lord Jabba the Hutt in the first "Star Wars."
Q: Why did you change your mind and decide to put the original three movies out on DVD now?
GEORGE LUCAS: Just because the market has shifted so dramatically. A lot of people are getting very worried about piracy. That has really eaten dramatically into the sales. It really just came down to, there may not be a market when I wanted to bring it out, which was like, three years from now. So rather than just sit by and watch the whole thing fall apart, better to bring it out early and get it over with.
Q: Why did you rework the original trilogy into the special-edition versions in the late 1990s?
LUCAS: To me, the special edition ones are the films I wanted to make. Anybody that makes films knows the film is never finished. It's abandoned or it's ripped out of your hands, and it's thrown into the marketplace, never finished. It's a very rare experience where you find a filmmaker who says, "That's exactly what I wanted. I got everything I needed. I made it just perfect. I'm going to put it out there." And even most artists, most painters, even composers would want to come back and redo their work now. They've got a new perspective on it, they've got more resources, they have better technology, and they can fix or finish the things that were never done. ...
I wanted to actually finish the film the way it was meant to be when I was originally doing it. At the beginning, people went, "Don't you like it?" I said, "Well, the film only came out to be 25 or 30 percent of what I wanted it to be." They said, "What are you talking about?" So finally, I stopped saying that, but if you read any interviews for about an eight- or nine-year period there, it was all about how disappointed I was and how unhappy I was and what a dismal experience it was. You know, it's too bad you need to get kind of half a job done and never get to finish it. So this was my chance to finish it.
I'm making the movies'
Q: Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?
LUCAS: The special edition, that's the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it's on VHS, if anybody wants it. ...
I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore. It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be.
I'm the one who has to take responsibility for it. I'm the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they're going to throw rocks at me, they're going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.
Q: Do you pay much attention to fan reactions to your choices?
LUCAS: Not really. The movies are what the movies are. ... The thing about science-fiction fans and "Star Wars" fans is they're very independent-thinking people. They all think outside the box, but they all have very strong ideas about what should happen, and they think it should be their way. Which is fine, except I'm making the movies, so I should have it my way.
Q: After "Episode III," will you ever revisit "Star Wars"?
LUCAS: Ultimately, I'm going to probably move it into television and let other people take it. I'm sort of preserving the feature film part for what has happened and never go there again, but I can go off into various offshoots and things.
You know, I've got offshoot novels, I've got offshoot comics. So it's very easy to say, "Well, OK, that's that genre, and I'll find a really talented person to take it and create it." Just like the comic books and the novels are somebody else's way of doing it. I don't mind that. Some of it might turn out to be pretty good. If I get the right people involved, it could be interesting.
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Q: Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?
LUCAS: The special edition, that's the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it's on VHS, if anybody wants it. ...
I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore. It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be.
Thanks for posting this, Seiji! It's interesting to see a quote of Lucas stating his opinion on this matter as openly and explicitly as this. It's my opinion that we'll probably see the OOT again at some point, since the article illustrates pretty well that Lucas will change his mind and set plans if he can be convinced that doing so will make an investment worth it, or worth more, in terms of sales. I do wonder though, what is the source of this information?