The 1997 IP probably looks great too, it's a shame to just chuck it, I would assume it's just as good to go as any other 1997 theatrical release?. Could they use it as a base for a reconstructed original-ish version? (fit it to the 1977 soundtrack and then drop in the obvious old shots from the best available source). I know that Superman and some other older movies have digitally recomposited bluescreen shots, I'm not even sure what's considered acceptable restoration and what's revisionism these days. What with Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach voicing scenes 40 years later, a whole new score for Major Dundee, etc.