moviefreakedmind

Ok, I'll admit that I'd be pretty surprised if Vader's "NOOOO" or R2's extra rocks make it into the next "Special Edition" release, or even Han shooting second (and maaaybe Jedi Rocks if we're lucky) especially since Vader's "NO" and Hayden Christiansen would have to be re-added if they're 4K restoring the 97 negative. The ONLY people who like those changes are crazy TFN people who only like them because they're in a Star Wars movie, and if anyone but Lucas added them in they'd hate those changes too. Not to mention, people who are like that would buy the new release anyway, so really it'd be no loss for Disney. What I meant by "current version" was whatever version with the changes is released next, alongside the originals. 

I don't think Lucasfilm will ever release any versions but the original and the current version. I think this because it's much easier to just have two versions, the original, and the director's cut. Disney does not want any of their customers to be confused about which version to watch, especially when the '97 and '11 versions are pretty much the same, the newest ones just have more prequel crap shoved into them, and I think 99% of people who like the Special Editions don't mind that anyway. As for the people who just put up with the SE's because it's their only option, I'd assume they would rather just watch the original versions than a more dated version of the SE. There is LITERALLY no market for it, and there is a higher chance of seeing the Holiday Special released than there is the 97 Special Edition. Even if they do release some 300 dollar comprehensive set with everything Star Wars related in it I'd still be surprised if it's included, although I will admit that on the off chance it is released, it will only be released in a set like that. 

SilverWook said:

Because pricey box sets never ever go on sale these days, or get broken up and sold on Ebay.

Seriously, after waiting all this time, if we finally get what we've been waiting for, we're going to complain it's too expensive to buy?

 Assuming Disney actually puts a lot of time and effort into an OUT restoration, I doubt they'll only include it in some 200 dollar set, because VERY few people would buy that, and anyone who wants the originals but isn't really heartbroken about settling for the SE's won't buy it either. The only versions they'll release will be the current versions alongside the unaltered versions if this happens. Also, they're never going to remaster the 1997 editions. I'm not saying that maliciously, I'm just saying it's probably naive to think that the 97 version will ever see a release again. If it is released it'll be in a Blade Runner type set (same with '04), but again, if they do release a comprehensive set of all versions, they'll make the original version available in another release, because that's the only "alternate" version that there's a market for. 

Well, I'm not going to complain about a decent release of the OUT if the New Hope title crawl, something no one had cared about for decades, is there. If someone's willing to let themselves get that worked up over something like that then those TFN people saying that an HD OUT release will be met with complaints are right. 

darklordoftech said:

moviefreakedmind said:

I know, but in Empire for example I believe there were a couple of shots of the rebel fleet added in later prints that were also on the tapes. Is it unacceptable if those are included too?

If thoss shots were in some theatrical prints, their inclusion wouldn't be an issue, but if they were only in home video releases, their inclusion would be unacceptable.

moviefreakedmind said:

I'd be surprised if they take out the New Hope crawl, if they do then it'll make the saga less cohesive

The idea of a cohesive saga has always come off to me as Lucas ocd

Oh ok, I get what you're saying about the changes, I was a little confused. I don't mean the saga being cohesive from a story standpoint, but I'm sure they want everyone to think of the films as being episodic, and removing New Hope would do that. In fact, I believe New Hope was the only visual change from the original theatrical run of all the films. All pre-97 changes were audio changes if I recall, so that would be easy if they just included the original 70 mm, and hopefully the mono but I'm not holding my breath on that. 

I know, but in Empire for example I believe there were a couple of shots of the rebel fleet added in later prints that were also on the tapes. Is it unacceptable if those are included too, even though they've been around forever without any complaint? Also, I'd be surprised if they take out the New Hope crawl, if they do then it'll make the saga less cohesive, not that the "Saga" is coherent at this point anyway, but Disney won't want to do that. I'm just saying, if we get 2k transfers of the IP's, should we really be outraged? If they sell it with Han still shooting second or it's non-anamorphic, then absolutely we should be outraged, but if we get a restoration of the films in 4K, but in the form we saw on all of our tapes and LD's then I don't think any anger is warranted.

So all of the tapes and LD's were unacceptable too?

Most of the people obsessed with pre-97 changes and the distribution rights (or Lucas stepping in and stopping it) when it comes to an OUT release usually have no idea what the hell they're talking about. It's obnoxious...

I think that Empire really does give me the vibe that Obi Wan was trained by Yoda in the same way that Yoda trained Luke. The way the prequels portrayed being trained by Yoda was more like being in a public school or something, and all you did was meet up with 25 other 8 year olds and practice with lightsabers. Obi Wan made it seem like he was actually trained by Yoda. 

Again, my thinking is that, if they do this, they'll make the blu rays EXACTLY like all the video tapes of the movies, which I'm pretty sure never changed, and most (or all?) of the minor changes before 97 were done before the tapes, or just between the prints in cinemas. That would be the smartest decision, so that way if there's complaining they can just say, "these are the movies that you saw on tape up until '97" and honestly, that's what I want them to do. For example, I've heard that originally Empire didn't have as many shots of rebel ships at the end, but we're ALL used to seeing it the way it was on the tapes, and I honestly wouldn't be heart-broken even if they didn't branch something like that (which they could if they wanted to), same with the title crawl. I'm guessing that if we get a blu ray of the OUT, it'll be the exact same (content-wise) as our old tapes and LD's

I don't think we'll ever be rid of the SE. It's seeped into Star Wars like a grape soda stain in shag carpet

I've always said that if they just release the same movies (content wise, but remastered) that were on all the pre-97 tapes, New Hope and all, people would be happy. Although I'd love to see them branch the original crawl with New Hope, I'd still be satisfied with just getting it unaltered but with the 1981 crawl since, let's be honest, that's how 99% of us were used to seeing it. 

So, let me get this straight. This means that if Disney wants a true 4K restoration where everything is 4K, they'll only be able to do it to the unaltered footage? Unless they want to make their own SE CGI, right?

Oh ok, thanks. Something that I haven't really seen addressed is would Disney be willing to recreate that CGI that was updated in the 04 Special Edition? The more I think about it I'm starting to wonder if Lucasfilm would be willing to put the time into doing that for a version of the movie that people either just put up with, or outright hate, so I'm starting to think that if we get a 4K blu ray release we might just be getting the OUT restored. If they do recreate the future changes is there any reason why they would re-add changes that are literally universally hated, like Hayden in Jedi or the Darth Vader, "NOOOO"? Also, would they recreate the cheap looking CGI Jabba (the 04 version is pretty bad too) or would they try to make it look better? The more I think about it, assuming this 4K thing is happening, I just don't see them giving such a treatment to something like the Special Edition, a thing that 99% of people don't like or don't care about. I would love to think that the Special Edition is just going to stay at its current condition, or maybe even be phased out like ET's special edition, but maybe I'm being overly optimistic. 

So, this means that if RMW is doing this 4K restoration, they have to restore the unaltered scenes of Mos Eisley, Yavin, Death Star, etc. etc. and then go back in and recreate all the lame CGI?

A lot of people online seem to be obsessed with the whole distribution rights thing. Fox does not own the movies, they just have distribution rights, so they can't do anything to the movies actually since they are trademarks of Lucasfilm. Fox will not get all the profits, just their distribution cut like they always have. I have no idea why people seem to think lately that Lucasfilm won't get ANY of the profits. Also, Fox simply will not spend money on restoring films they won't own for a whole lot longer, they won't do it. Disney will definitely be the ones backing a restoration of the OT, if it's going to happen.

imperialscum said:

JT 1138 said:

imperialscum said:

Bobocop said:

It would be ironic and somehow fitting if the originals were fully restored from the O-neg in glorious 4K and brought back into the spotlight, while the "superior" Special Editions were stuck at 2K resolution because of the limitations of the technology used at the time.

I'd love to the the SE's 20 year reign of terror end as it fades away into just a curious footnote in film history.

The only release labelled as Special Edition was the 1997. That release got pretty much the least care of all releases. The Special Edition is not stuck at 2K but rather in LD format.

It may not be technically accurate, but it seems like most folks refer to the '04 and '11 editions as the SE's. 

Just because most do it wrong, doesn't make it right.

Actually, the only people I hear not refer to any post-97 release as the Special Edition are Lucasfilm reps (at least when George was in charge) or TFNers who both referred to them as the """official""" versions of the films or the true versions or whatever. Just recently there was an Alec Guinness tribute where they were screening all of his most famous films, and they had a disclaimer saying that it was the "special edition" of Star Wars, same with the Plaza Atlanta about a month ago. I'm glad the current versions are referred to as the Special Edition so that people who don't care won't forget that there is in fact an original version.

https://games.yahoo.com/news/original-star-wars-trilogy-unaltered-002200388.html

Thought I'd post this here too since it's regarding the recent rumour. A Yahoo person picked up the story too, which is excellent to spread the word that people do in fact want to buy this, even if the rumour is false since I'm sure Yahoo will get more views than a lot of other sites

https://games.yahoo.com/news/original-star-wars-trilogy-unaltered-002200388.html

the rumour got picked up by a yahoo poster. Even if the rumour is untrue it's still great that it's getting so much attention. Gizzy2000, I'm sure you will be overjoyed to find out that the Badass Digest article you loved so much is referred to in the Yahoo article :p

I guess the Yahoo blogger (or whatever he is) didn't want people to get their hopes up either, but I also wish they wouldn't have cited an article written by a clueless internet blogger. Then again, that's probably what the comicbook.com article is...

gizzy2000 said:

JT 1138 said:

I suspect that the rumors are true, especially with this 4K restoration.  It's too bad that it appears there won't be time for a theatrical re-release of the OUT before episode 7.  That would be so much fun, leading into the new trilogy.

Also makes me wonder what will happen to the other SE's if this is true.  Are they stuck in their current quality or would Disney go through the trouble of recreating it using their new scans?  Not that I really care.  I'd like to just have the OUT and '97 versions.

Disney definitely won't waste time and money re-adding all the special edition CGI in 4k. I'm sure they'll restore the OT in 4k because, come on, it's Star Wars, but I see no reason as to why they'd waste time recreating terrible looking to begin with CGI, especially since 50% of people don't care and will buy it anyway, 40% of people put up with the SE's but wish they didn't have to, and 9% of people will not re-buy anything Star Wars unless the OUT is included. I think the Special Editions are stuck at their current quality since they've already had a blu ray release, I only wonder if the SE's will be included alongside the OUT if this is true. 

I think for now, IF they do release the OUT, we will be getting both versions, although it is possible that they'll start phasing out the SE like what happened to Spielberg's ET special edition.

Well, regardless of spelling, I do feel like this particular rumour seems more grounded in reality than most since it doesn't really get any facts wrong, but without any real explanation for who their "sources" are or why we should trust them, I see no reason to believe any of this. I want to believe it, but right now, I'm just going to wait and see. We do know that there is (or was) a 4K restoration of the whole trilogy going on, and since there's no footage of Jedi on their advert videos (but we do see the blue escape pod door in one) it could be a more recent project than we think since that implies that Jedi is currently unfinished. I could easily see them going the extra step and restoring the archived footage removed from the negative for the SE while they're at it. Disney strikes me as a company that takes the most efficient route when doing things, and they also strike me as a company that wants all their products to be restored up to modern standards regardless of when they decide to release it. So I look at the OUT situation objectively, and looking at what we know about the current situation I see no reason to doubt that Disney is working on it, but as of right now, there's no reason to say that they are with any certainty. The rumour doesn't give me enough evidence to accept it at face value either.

darklordoftech said:

ratpack1961 said:

All of the attention will be on the new films anyway so they want everyone thinking about that new timeline and era with Rebels and not so concentrated on the OT.

The OT is iconic, and I doubt that Disney has any desire to change that. Also, people concentrating on the OT isn't going to prevent them from concentrating on the ST and Rebels.

Remember how many re-releases of the OT leading up to the prequels there were? the "one last time" release, the Special Edition, the laserdisc Special Edition, the Special Edition with Episodes IV, V, and VI written on the boxes... Just because Disney is making more movies does not mean that the OT is going to be left in a dumpster and never released again. 

I've always said that if they don't release the OUT, it WON'T be because of Lucas. They make decisions based on money, not on a vague ever-changing "artistic vision". Honestly, I don't think Lucas cares anymore, he did sell it, and unless he's a total immature child, then he'll understand it's not his to control anymore. Lucas being the businessman that he is, I think selling Star Wars was literally his way of letting go of the whole thing, since, as a business man he knows exactly what ownership means, and now that he doesn't own it anymore, he probably understands that he has no power over it. 

gizzy2000 said:

darklordoftech said:

KilroyMcFadden said:

...AND the TFNr's are already debating which changes should stay.   #smh

http://boards.theforce.net/threads/rumor-disney-to-release-unaltered-old-trilogy-on-br.50020327/page-8

Sadly, the same is occuring on Reddit.

http://www.reddit.com/r/StarWars/comments/2dqm18/disney_to_release_original_unaltered_cut_of_star/

 Well, if Disney restores the negative, then that means not one post-97 change is included, so that means they just have to get rid of all the 97 changes and restore those original parts. I for one offer my personal guarantee (whatever that's worth) that Disney simply WILL NOT release the unaltered films, and advertise them as such, and leave in alterations. TFNr's are a total minority when it comes to Star Wars fans, it's the only place on planet earth where some people think the original versions should never be released. It's also one of the few places on earth where people scream praise about the prequels. I know we see PT fans on the internet a lot but I've never seen one in the real world who was older than 15.

I'd say the PT is mostly forgotten; when I ask people about it who don't care about Star Wars they're just like, "Oh yeah, I don't really remember anything that happened in those". Honestly, this rumor could be true, and I find it easier to believe than Bleeding Cool because of that gag about retconning the prequels. They mentioned restoring the original negative and the "damage" could potentially be the fact that it was chopped up. Honestly, if this guy at comicbook.com would elaborate on his sources (if he actually has sources) then I'd greatly appreciate it. Until then I'll have to hold firm on my stance that it's a click bait article with an appealing headline. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't cautiously optimistic... 

Platitude said:

io9 has an article about it here: http://io9.com/is-disney-really-releasing-the-unaltered-star-wars-tril-1622812966

They're skeptical of this, and I agree.  The distribution rights issues make it a real complicated situation.

Well, I honestly don't think it does. Fox has no more control over Star Wars now than they did when Lucas owned it. Fox just gets a distribution cut and Lucasfilm gets the rest, so it's really not a big deal to my knowledge. Also, Fox has no reason to refuse to allow Disney to release an unaltered set since they have nothing to gain from letting them do this and would just be passing up on money. If Disney just HAD to get the distribution rights then Fox will likely be willing to deal since they don't have them for long anyways (2020 is a red herring because Fox owns perpetual distribution for SW so a deal has to be made anyway). If Fox is unwilling to deal then Disney could just refuse to let them sell any Star Wars films, making Fox have no choice but to sell. As for anything Devin Faraci said, which is cited heavily in that article, I don't believe really because he thinks that Fox OWNS the movie as in they literally own the movies, not just the distribution rights, which I know for a fact is not true. George Lucas has absolutely no control over Star Wars anymore. They may listen to him to be polite but he is not making business decisions anymore. Fox owning distribution rights means that any Star Wars release has to be through them, but they can't release stuff if Disney does not want them to since Lucasfilm owns the material. Correct me if I'm wrong, again I'm no expert, but I think that covers most of the distribution rights issue.