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It's just marketing... wait a while.

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Folks,

excuse my cynicism, but why would George bring out the original theatrical release now, when he can re-release it later (like Spielberg did with E.T.) so that consumers will pay twice as much? I was only caught that way once, when "Bug's Life" was released as a 2-disc DVD set and a few months later the special editon came out. From then on, I _never_ bought a dvd set that was likely to have an improved version released a few months later - the LOTR extended editions being examples. George is a past master of marketing (much better than his dialogue) hence the Star Wars merchandising phenomenon that has lasted for about 25 years.

I heard an interview where George said that the first trilogy would not be released separately, only as part of a complete set - but then the cash register started ringing. Whatever he says now, if he thinks he can make more money by releasing the theatrical version later, he will.

As Mark Twain said when discussing the New England weather, if you don't like it - just wait a while (hey, dvds have been around for about 7 years now - what's another year?)

Brian
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If GL would think like that, then he would publish now the OT on DVD, a few years later the SE including the OT and another three years later the UE including the SE and the OT. This way round it would make most sense. Because even many young fans that only now the SE will buy the OT if it is the only version released on DVD. But when the SE is available, the number of people willing to buy an additional OT release will be much smaller. Lukas knows how to make money. But he is so rich he doesn't care for the little extra he could make with an additional OT release.

Sorry, but for me this seems to be the sad truth.
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Originally posted by: bwims
...why would George bring out the original theatrical release now, when he can re-release it later (like Spielberg did with E.T.)


Spielberg released the theatrical cut of E.T. and the modified version at the same time. In the same box, no less. Around $20 at most places when it was new, packed with extras and a DTS track.

Originally, he planned to release the theatrical cut only in the deluxe box set ($60), but there was such an outcry from fans that he changed it at the last minute. His decision to change things at the last minute was mostly due to marketing considerations, I think, but I'd like to believe he also came to his senses and realized that it was the right thing to do.

I'd say we have a snowball's chance in hell of ever seeing all three Star Wars films in both theatrical and SE formats plus extras for anywhere near $60. I think the pricing of the Alien Quadrilogy will be the model for the SW box set.

I agree that there's a possibility that all this Star Wars business is just that--business. Lucas could simply be building demand. However, other than rabid fans, who will purchase a second Star Wars box set, even if it's 3 years later? Not the average consumer. To them, Star Wars is Star Wars, which is why the SE box set will sell so well.

Only true fans, of both the series itself and of film in general, care that the theatrical cuts might never see the light of day. And we don't need Lucas to build our anticipation; we want it already.

I think this is really about Lucas digging in his heels and being stubborn, not wanting to look like he's given in. It would be like admitting he's been wrong all this time (which he has been).
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

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I agree.

And like I've maintained, he can't risk having the OV outsell the SE, it would be extremely embarrassing for him. It would take away any validity from his pro-digital crusade.
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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Jay I agree with what you said in this topic. I will buy the star wars trilogy when it comes out in on september 21st on dvd. I think that some people are making a big thing about george lucas not release the original cuts. That's just my opion. I like the special edtion because it sound better than the originals.
Kenneth Kraly Jr.
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This is not marketing he really doesn't plan to release the originals. You can be upset but don't kid yourself.
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Originally posted by: Luke30
Jay I agree with what you said in this topic. I will buy the star wars trilogy when it comes out in on september 21st on dvd. I think that some people are making a big thing about george lucas not release the original cuts. That's just my opion. I like the special edtion because it sound better than the originals.


If anybody else had written this, I probably would've skipped past it. However, it was Luke30 (who must've been a parrot in another life) and he was surprisingly opinionated in this post, much moreso than you see in his other intelligence-draining brain numbathons.

As for Lucas being greedy, I really wish you people would wake up and smell the coffee. If Lucas (spelled with a 'C', not 'K') was simply out for the money, he would've released the SE trilogy on DVD and VHS in '97, TPM on DVD in '99, the SE trilogy again on DVD and VHS in 2000, possibly the originals in '01 on VHS and DVD, an "updated" version of the SE trilogy and the Ultimate Editions in '06. After that he could release a mega boxed set that combines everything that's ever been released before. I'm sure there are many other ways he could gouge as much money as possible from the fans.

But since he hasn't done any of that, I have to conclude that Lucas is simply doing what he wants to do and anybody who doesn't like that can go to hell, in his opinion.

If we keep waging our battle, we will eventually get the Original Trilogy on DVD. 20th Century Fox isn't run by idiots, they can picture the cash register cha-chinging. Despite what some of you may think, there's a big market for the Original Trilogy. The marketing campaign could be something like "Star Wars, the way you remember it!" or something. Fox is a business and like any business, they want to deliver products people will pay money for. And if they have to sweet-talk Lucas into agreeing to it, then they will. Because they have before.

- Trentobi
http://www.blissnet.org
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I don't think there was ever a chance of Lucas releasing the SEs on DVD in 1997. That was the year that DVD was introduced and it was so new that many "big pictures" opted out of releases. Also, this was in the midst of the DVD vs. DivX war. Many people were waiting it out to see who would win. Finally, George was just getting back into the PT at the time. Why spend the time testing out a new technology that no one is 100% familiar with and give it a half-assed shot at best?
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
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Originally posted by: Bossk
I don't think there was ever a chance of Lucas releasing the SEs on DVD in 1997. That was the year that DVD was introduced and it was so new that many "big pictures" opted out of releases. Also, this was in the midst of the DVD vs. DivX war. Many people were waiting it out to see who would win. Finally, George was just getting back into the PT at the time. Why spend the time testing out a new technology that no one is 100% familiar with and give it a half-assed shot at best?


That's revisionism. DivX didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of taking off simply because John Q. Public would never approve of the format. Moreover, Lucas could've released movie-only versions of the films thus far on DVD (with maybe a trailer or two) in 2000 without ever lifting a finger and doing so would've done boffo business. Or hell, he could've released those same hypothetical versions in '98 and they would've singlehandedly established the DVD format and put the final kibosh in DivX... as if that latter format ever stood a chance. I know it might seem like it did, but I remember all that hype at the time and I remember thinking to myself "there's no way this format will ever take off simply because you never actually own anything."

- Trentobi
http://www.blissnet.org
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DIVX never stood a chance. I think that it was Lucas was so egar to start on The Phantom Menace.
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Lucas was also mad because Fox pressured him into putting SW out on VHS/BAta back in the early 80s to almost singlehandedly get that medium going. Home video owes a lot to that first release of SW, and GL was angry that he was used in that way, so its one of the main reasons he has held off on DVD because he didn't want to do that again.

Ironicaly the Matrix was the film that did for DVD what SW did for VHS/BATA

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But since he hasn't done any of that, I have to conclude that Lucas is simply doing what he wants to do and anybody who doesn't like that can go to hell, in his opinion.


Agreed. And I think GLs belief in his artistic ideals (misguided as they may be) overpowers his marketing savy (ruthless as it may be at times).

I don't think GL is greedy, but at the same time he;s not above milking things.
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
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Originally posted by: Rebel Scumb
Agreed. And I think GLs belief in his artistic ideals (misguided as they may be) overpowers his marketing savy (ruthless as it may be at times).

I don't think GL is greedy, but at the same time he;s not above milking things.
This is bad comedy. The guy is president and founder of Lucasfilm (and it's various subsidiary/sister companies), THE founder of ILM, THE founder of Skywalker Sound, THE founder of THX, etc. Any royalty paychecks he gets from Star Wars are probably chump change compared to what he makes from his earnings in those companies.

- Trentobi
http://www.blissnet.org
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I realize that DivX did not stand a snowball's chance in hell. However, there was still question as to whether all the major studios would adopt DVD, dare the DivX waters, or try to come up with a whole new format.

I still stand by my belief that it wasn't released because of Lucas' involvement in TPM. Yes, he could've released a movie-only version. But, as we all now know, that to Lucas would be a half assed attempt. He wants to be involved. He would never let his films be prepped by someone else without him there. Even if they are his hand selected ILM and Skywalker Ranch folks. Should happen, but never will. Even this year's DVD version will have Lucas' hand in the creation.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
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It's not about art or money, it's about EGO and PRIDE. How would you feel if you worked your butt off on scenes that you thought would improve your movies only for the majority of viewers to complain about how much some of the scenes suck? Would you just turn your back on what you did? I think in George Lucas's mind he had too much confidence in the changes to be improvements, I'm sure deep down in his heart he really felt the Jedi Rocks, Han shooting first, the butchering of the ROTJ end music, etc.. etc.. all were great additions.

Lucasarts could realistically create a box-set DVD with both Special Editions and the originals and it could sell for $100, it'd still sell an unbelievable amount of copies. But that would be a complete slap in the face if that box set sold nearly as well as just the Special Editions. George Lucas just doesn't want to be proved that he's wrong, it's not about art, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi aren't even his art for god's sake!
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So, if he wants to avoid potential embarassment, just do what you said, Cyprus, box them both together and sell it that way only. Then you don't have to worry about one outselling the other.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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Pride is a destructive attitude.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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That it is. But it is also probably the hardest ideal to break a person free of.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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The originals could never ever ever outsell the Special Edition.
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Here is an article I got from EW.com. It was written some time last year, so don't be fooled by the date it has at the top of the page. It changes on the page every day.
"May the force be with you!"