I am with you 100% in being an aspect ratio snob... but again I have to say, the image quality of your encode and seeing it larger than ever on a true 16:9 display was a unique experience. Far from a true pan and scan 4:3 version, the 16:9 box worked very well and it never felt "cropped."

We all know and love the trilogy in 2.35:1, I think it would be great to have 16:9 versions just for fun... it would certainly be a unique set and, as you said, you did slide around the frame where neccessary to make sure you were framing what was most important.

I know it's blasphemous to some extent, but it IS nice to see that amazing image you produced fill a true 16:9 display!

And it's never been done before... please consider it!