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An article of lies and disgust - George Lucas talks re the 2004 OT SE DVD release...

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 (Edited)

Hello,

I was wondering if we should have a sticky for Star Wars DVD related articles. Here is one I just found on Yahoo that really turns my stomach.Here

Listen to this:
"AP: Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?

Lucas: The special edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. … I’m not going to spend the, we’re talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore. It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished. "

How could it cost millions to remaster maybe 15 minutes or so of footage?

What a sack he is.

Patrick

 

Mod Edit: the above link unfortunately no longer functions. A similar thread from ‘Today’ - with the same quotes from George Lucas can be found below:-

https://www.today.com/popculture/lucas-talks-star-wars-trilogy-returns-wbna6011380

"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." - Tuco from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
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All the crap Lucas talks about "not having the orignals anymore" thats bull.....the original MUST be on a computer SOMEWHERE at Lucasfilm....

Lucas pisses me off in a way....and cracks me up in another.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Obi_Skywalker/lukevader.jpg
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If anything, this phrase shows another change in his stances.

"Ultimately, I'm going to probably move it into television and let other people take it."

Usually, he denies the thought of someone else leading the universe.


Made for IE Forum's Episode III theme month - May 2005.

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I find that statement by Lucas to be incredibly childish. I guess his ridiculous whims are more important than the interests of millions of people?. Then he goes into this "poor me" garbage. He wants his cake and to eat it too. He makes crap prequels and idiotic decisions on the OT, then wants everyone to be nice to him. Pathetic.
40,000 million notches away
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After reading the entire AP article, I can see just how childish and selfish he really is about the films. In one aspect I can understand it, because I have made works myself (written, not filmed) and they never seemed complete or very well made to me. On the other side of the coin, it's become blatantly obvious he is milking this cash cow for all it's worth (which is the real primary reason for the SE) and the fans' opinions and desires mean NOTHING to him. The hypocrisy of his statements about preserving films but yet altering his own work is the final nail in the coffin to me. The following should put it into perspective:

AP: Do you pay much attention to fan reactions to your choices?

Lucas: Not really. The movies are what the movies are. ... The thing about science-fiction fans and "Star Wars" fans is they're very independent-thinking people. They all think outside the box, but they all have very strong ideas about what should happen, and they think it should be their way. Which is fine, except I'm making the movies, so I should have it my way.

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If you ever wanted proof that more releases are due at a later stage, there you have it. Lucas says he wanted to release them in 3 years time, ie 2007, the 30th year anniversary. Of course, his greed as taken over and wants to release this lousy edition while the market is still 'alive' and he can score some more cash.

I just don't understand when he says this is how he wanted the OT to be when they were released?! That's bullshit! This 2004 edition is how he wants the films to be NOW to fit in with all his other insane marketing decisions, ie the Droids and Ewoks releases, the PT.

I wish I didn't care so much what came out of Lucas' mouth, he is really making me angry now, once upon a time he had my full respect, that is very quickly flying out the window as we speak.

Shame George, shame.
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It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be.


fair enough...
then how bout you start handing over all the money we payed for your movies that were half completed you fat fuck!
sry about that language but this article says it all...
the man is going to die a very lonely man with no fan base left....

enjoy that money while you can George...
cuz money stays here after your gone.... but your legacy you'll carry forever...
if theres any left to carry....

"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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To be fair, "remastering" is not about the new footage. It's about taking each film, in its entirety, scanning each frame, cleaning up the damage done by the years, and creating a high definition digital master. It is expensive, and labour intensive. And, seriosuly, if you think the measure of a mans' life is how many rabid fanboys are at his funeral, you seriously need to rethink your priorities.
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And, seriosuly, if you think the measure of a mans' life is how many rabid fanboys are at his funeral, you seriously need to rethink your priorities.


i said nothing about funeral...
but how many people are going to still have his respect...

and where are these rabid fan boys???
did some starwars.com members sneak in here???
"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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To be fair, "remastering" is not about the new footage. It's about taking each film, in its entirety, scanning each frame, cleaning up the damage done by the years, and creating a high definition digital master. It is expensive, and labour intensive. And, seriosuly, if you think the measure of a mans' life is how many rabid fanboys are at his funeral, you seriously need to rethink your priorities


I'm sure any cost incurred in restoring and remastering the original films would be more than adequately recouped if the original cuts were released, it's not like George would be doing all the work.

does this mean we can now throw rocks at him?
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Originally posted by: buddy-x-wing
does this mean we can now throw rocks at him?


Yes buddy, I believe it does.

*picks up a big sharp rock*

Heh heh heh hehhh...
"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." - Goering.

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." - Goebbels.

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - Orwell.
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AP: Do you pay much attention to fan reactions to your choices?

Lucas: Not really.


Well, that would explain why he never replied to my letter. What a weiner. I hope he gets the clap.

http://jgtwo.wordpress.com

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Originally posted by: buddy-x-wing

I'm sure any cost incurred in restoring and remastering the original films would be more than adequately recouped if the original cuts were released, it's not like George would be doing all the work.



You're right. What difference does a couple of million dollars make when he would recoup that from the sales? I can't say he remastered them for 2004, but I believe he remastered all Original Versions in their entirety in 1997 and then made the changes. It's only a theory, but I remember reading how he likes to keep things locked in the archives and how the new documentary only scratches the surface on what's in there. I believe he may have the Original Versions in tact so that he can make money on them later.

I also think denying us the Originals is a way to keep Star Wars in the limelight a bit longer even if it results in controversy and negative publicity. He probably figures the hype would drop off if he gave us what we want now and would severely fall off after Episode III since there will be no more films. This is just theory though. I base it on the Heavy Metal cartoon. I know it doesn't have the same amount of popularity as Star Wars, but I remember how much I heard about when it was something that was so hard to get because you had to either have a bootleg VHS or have been lucky and taped it off of Cinemax or HBO. Anyway, since it was released commercially on VHS and DVD, I hardly hear anything about it anymore. Probably fansites of the movie are the only ones talking about it now. Once Episode III leaves theaters, all of the media buzz on Star Wars will pretty much be over. He'll probably rely on that mass attention when he decides to do the TV series being talked about just like he relied on the 97 SE's to build the hype for Episode I.

Just a theory though. I am a big LOTR fan as well and have noticed how much the attention to that has fallen off since there are no more movies coming out for that unless the rights to The Hobbit are cleared up. The only things I hear being talked about now are the ROTK EE DVD's and a boxed set of the complete score. Once those are out, it will probably just be fansites discussing it. Notice how all of the other attention to those films are pretty much over with. I believe it is going to be the same after Episode III is over with with the exception of the fans like us who have been abandoned by Lucas.

Lucas has really screwed everything up.

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does this mean we can now throw rocks at him?


I believe so. I picked up my own sharp rock as a funny scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian ran through my head.

Patrick




"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." - Tuco from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
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Actually, accusing Lucas of "milking" the trilogy is remarkably idiotic, because if he *was* "milking" it, he would have constantly been releasing *everything* he has, especially the items for which there is that extremely high demand - the OT, the "lost cut", the deleted scenes, the Holiday Special... I may be annoyed by his refusal to allow anything he doesn't care for anymore to be released, but I respect his relentlessness. Of course, it's his biggest fault at the same time, since he is *too* independent. If he wasn't, and if someone in his surroundings dared criticize him loud enough in time, there'd be no Greedos shooting first, no Gungans, no Hayjerks in RotJ...
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He is milking it. How many times has he released and released the Trilogy on the same formats over and over again. Look at all of the different LD releases. He may not be releasing the Original Versions right now, but that doesn't mean that he never will. Even though the Original Versions are the ones I and many others prefer, I do admit that I am in a minority. Look at how many don't care about the changes and will pick up the new DVD's anyway. They outweigh those of us who won't. Also, look at all of the other merchandising and everything else. Look at how he is making this new DVD set a limited edition because he will rerelease it again later. I bet he will release the Trilogy on DVD one more time to get his money out of the format before HD-DVD or Blu-Ray takes over. That way, he will have had two releases on the same format. The next release will probably be identical to this one with the exception of including Episodes I-III and changing the box art and extras.

I also think it is funny how he mentions piracy in the article. Who's fault is it that there is so much piracy of the Original Versions. If there wasn't a demand for them, there would be no piracy. Even though those of us who demand the Original Versions are outnumbered by those who are fine with the new DVD's, there are still a lot of people who want them the way they were.

Patrick
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." - Tuco from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
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OK, so I'm guessing it is NOT illegal to download and distribute the original trilogy at all, or even sell it. Why, those movies never existed, and movies that does not exist have no copyright. So I'll download it, burn some DVDs and give them to people who want to buy the Lucasfilm DVDs.

I don't know about you, but I REALLY want to watch the Three Stooges with all-new computerized colors and synthetizer soundtrack right now. And I want to burn every other black&white copy.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I also wanted to mention something else concerning Lucas' "milking" of Star Wars. If he wasn't "milking it" by not releasing things he did not care for, there would be no Full Screen (AKA Pan&Scan) versions of the films on DVD. If you have kept up with Lucas over the years, you know that he despises Full Screen because the film is not being presented in it's original aspect ratio (OAR). If you'll remember, there was no Full Screen version of Episode I on DVD until the Episode II DVD came out. If he hates Full Screen so much, why release Full Screen versions of his films on DVD. Well, because he knew he could put aside his dislike for it and make a lot of money since there are a lot of fools out there who hate Widescreen. If that is not one example of "milking it", I don't what is.

Patrick
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." - Tuco from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
OK, so I'm guessing it is NOT illegal to download and distribute the original trilogy at all, or even sell it. Why, those movies never existed, and movies that does not exist have no copyright. So I'll download it, burn some DVDs and give them to people who want to buy the Lucasfilm DVDs.

I don't know about you, but I REALLY want to watch the Three Stooges with all-new computerized colors and synthetizer soundtrack right now. And I want to burn every other black&white copy.


He would still probably go after you for piracy because you are getting the versions of the films he hates out to people who want to see them. Also, he can make a little money by suing pirates and bring my publicity to Star Wars.

Patrick
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." - Tuco from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
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Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
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It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be.


fair enough...
then how bout you start handing over all the money we payed for your movies that were half completed you fat fuck!
sry about that language but this article says it all...
the man is going to die a very lonely man with no fan base left....

enjoy that money while you can George...
cuz money stays here after your gone.... but your legacy you'll carry forever...
if theres any left to carry....


He still has plenty fanbase who respect him and like his changes.
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The Lucas apologist enters the thread....

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

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Response to an earlier note:

Basically the whole film IS remastered, Lucas just needs to touch a few scenes that were deleted. The additional effort to get the film in its original format would be large, but the majority of the work has already been done. The two efforts don't exist separately.
If you're going to take forever, then I'm having a hotdog!
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does this mean we can now throw rocks at him?


Damn! There's never a rock around when I need one.
Keeping The Star Wars Hoiliday Special alive. Once person at a time. Stir, stir, whip, whip, stir, beat, beat.
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hey assholes, I may loathe the special editions, but I also remember that star wars is his baby. comments calling him "childish" and "selfish" really reflect on the person saying them.
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Heh not really. I think he is acting childish. I mean he basically says to the fans who don't like the changes: screw you. The hell is that?! A generation of fans of his films that at one point probably worshipped him...

And then he bitches about the millions it would cost to put the original versions on DVD...don't even get me started on that bull****.
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Quote from USA Today Article on restoration of the original print for the 'o4 DVD set:
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"The result is as if a veil has been lifted: The annoying hail of visible noise is gone, and colors are richer. The footage seems to shine, as if brand-new. "We have given it the kind of sharpness which doesn't create ugly edges," Lowry says.

Beyond a stellar DVD, Lucasfilm now has a high-definition master stored in its vaults that won't degrade as celluloid does. The master can be used to make new film prints and high-definition DVDs. "
Quote from George Lucas:
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"I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore."
Millions of dollars my rectum -- you can charge extra for it George, you always do (bear in mind that this is a quote of a man who spends 'millions of dollars' to manufacture silly yoda ties in desperation for more money).

*wanders off imitating krayt dragons (tm)* "WhoOOOOoooOOOoooo!"