1990osu said:
Fox still owns rights to the 1977-1983 versions IIRC.
Yes, Fox does owns distribution rights, but those will expire in 2020 (except for ep IV). I don't know what that means for the potential for an OUT release in the near future, though. Since a film restoration would have to take place, I would guess that Fox would have to make a deal with Disney/lucasfilm in order for that to happen?
Plus it's not like Lucasfilm is going anywhere. Disney will probably just let Kathleen Kennedy continue to run the show there, and I doubt she would want to go against George's wishes on this. But who knows...