towne32 said:

Fox has video distribution rights. I think they could play it in theaters without Fox's consent. V and VI could apparently be distributed digitally without Fox?

But I think an important point that people sometimes gloss over is: would Fox try to withhold this? Why would Fox try to withhold this? Would they simply not want to put money into it themselves? I can see why Disney might not want to go through with it until Fox's rights expire (or are otherwise dealt with for IV), but I can't quite see what Fox has to lose, here.

Fox would WANT this to happen because they only have a few years left to make money off of most of these films. Refusing to accept their distribution cut would literally just be turning down money for no reason at all. If anyone wanted to wait for some reason it would be Disney if they wanted to hold off until 2020 so they wouldn't have to give Fox a percentage on Empire and Jedi. I don't think that would happen though since the movies are all being released both physically and digitally.