Fang Zei said:It's not so much Lucas lied as he told us a half truth. Lynne Hale's email said "existing prints are in bad condition," which could mean anything Lucasfilm chooses it to mean.
From: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/mytwocentsa120.html#aswrant
"It's been reported previously that when Lucas went back to the original negatives of the Star Wars films in the mid 1990s, they were found to be in bad shape. Such bad shape, in fact, that had they not been restored immediately, the films could have been lost forever. So restoration is exactly what Lucas had done. Except that when he was creating the new 1997 Special Edition versions of the films... he cut the original negatives. So the original negatives of the theatrical versions no longer exist."
Also From: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/mytwocentsa120.html#aswrant
"If good quality original elements don't exist, where did Lucasfilm get that footage of the 1977 opening crawl that was used in Empire of Dreams? And how could it have been presented in anamorphic widescreen on DVD unless a new anamorphic transfer of the footage was done or was already available? So why then can't anamorphic transfers of the films be done now for the new DVDs? It makes no sense whatsoever."
Also Lucas once said he recorded over the original star wars negatives. So which is it ? Did Lucas recorded over the original star wars negatives? OR Did he cut the original star wars negatives? OR is just Lucas Lying?
First Lucas said he recorded over the original star wars negatives which is NOT possible!
Then Lucas changed he story to that he cut the original star wars negatives which is dumbfounding and a big taboo in restoring films! If Lucas was dumb and cut the negatives then He should be kicked out the film-making world, FOREVER!
The thing is Lucas did NOT cut or recorded over the original star wars negatives. He more likely has them and is lying.
the original star wars negatives were more likely restoration back in 1997 and back-up on computer. the original star wars masters are more likely in Lucas' own vault. These original star wars masters were more likely used for Empire of Dreams and other things
This is why I would love for police to search Skywalker Ranch. If the original star wars masters were found by police, it would show that the 2006 DVDs were a con-job.