Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:
Hostmaster said:
The Star Wars Saga will never have a perfect edition.
If Lucas does it, for him will be like killing the chicken of the golden eggs.
What's he gonna sell in the future if he gives to us now a reference edition with our beloved OT?
There would always be the next better format, or the next better transfer technology. Do you really believe that blu ray is the final format? The future will also bring features that don't exist now, such as the ability to mark sections or build your own version out of alternate takes. Or install it on a network or integrate it with your smart phone. If he gives us something great, we'll be in it for the next version too. We bought the VHS, then the LD, then the DVD, then the blu ray. It won't stop there. Plus, *I* would buy his next special edition if he also released the OUT. Now, I'm not buying anything.
Here's what I would do if I were Lucas:
When it comes time to do the 3D conversion of A New Hope, do a new 4K scan (I can't believe they'd work from what will be an eleven-years-old 1080p master anyway). They would probably have to re-do the 2004/2011 changes, but they're few and far between if you ask me. After the proper color-timing, this would not only yield the 1997 SE, but also like 80% of the original version. Take the missing pieces out of storage and scan those in to complete a new master of the unaltered version, and color-time that as well.
When the blu-ray 3D hits later that year, just throw in the '97 SE and the original version on their own separate discs and charge a hefty price tag for the whole thing. Then just do the same for Empire in 2016 and the same thing for Jedi the year after that.
Lucas had made it pretty clear that it's all about money and not about his "vision." Actions speak louder than words. He even dumped a 1993 master onto dvd in 2006 just to maximize his profits. If he included both the '97 and original versions in high quality, you guys all know you would at least seriously consider buying it (I know I would).
Either way, Lucas will eventually see the potential for $$$$. If he doesn't include the older versions as a selling point for an otherwise superfluous 3D conversion (which would be a smart move if you ask me), then he'll at the very least do one last dip after that to shut us all up.
Mark my words, something will happen eventually. Lucas is too much of a businessman to pass it up.