With respect, I am not sure it is such a niche market. You only have to look at the interest in Despecialized and the 4Kxx projects, with many people stating they have only just learnt of them online, and they can’t beleive there isn’t an official version to buy… and also, unfortunately, the amount of absolute scum selling these on ebay and other places (over a considerable length of time) - which does indicate the demand is still there.
Maybe the demand that was there in the mid-2000’s has waned? Maybe it has increased - yet with more acceptance of there not being an official release as more time has elapsed? It is hard to say.
As ooj and canofhumdingers alluded to in another thread - it has been 25 years since a dedicated official release of the classic version of the Original Trilogy - which is the advert, promo or tagline in itself. And also potentially attract even non-Star Wars fans, film buffs in general, and those that collect with a look to them as investments etc over the long-term (some rare OOT vhs and laserdsic sets still fetch a pretty penny, as do the 2006 GOUT dvds in ‘brand new’ or ‘nearly new’ condition, and those rare tin boxes).
If Lucasfilm or Disney themsevles were unsure it would sell all they hav’e to do is put up a ‘add your name here to register interest for an offical release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy’ on the website - it’d likely hit over 100,000 in quite a short space of time (not that they ever would, of course 😉)
Edit: I just have to say I love Darth Dougal’s avatar and username - Magic Roundabout needs a Star Wars themed episode! 😃
