Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Batmon77]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I don't know, the digital release seems strictly for a different market that doesn't go out and buy Blu-Ray sets. I mean, we're talking about the same exact editions that you've been able to buy on Blu-Ray since 2012. You can buy them right now for LESS than what the new digital versions are going for.

The people buying these to watch Star Wars on their Xbox or Ipad or whatever clearly don't care about what's released on Blu-Ray, or they'd own the Complete Saga set or one of the trilogy sets. So I doubt they'd care about an announcement of a new Blu-Ray set.

If you read comments on various sites, a ton of people are already complaining about the digital versions: too expensive, not the UOT, they should have been included with the Blu-Ray purchase, etc. So somebody's going to feel like Lucasfilm "took a dump on them" pretty much no matter what.

Overloading the brand isn't smart.

[Ernest Rister]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the SW films available on my iPad. Maybe for $20. $100?!? Get outta here.

[Joshitaka]

Thanks for the clarification Ernest Rister. As long as I wasn't imagining it. I really wasn't sure.

I still have plenty of hope. I think there are a lot of reasons why they would want to do it, but I realize there are also reasons why it might be difficult.

If not, I still have brand new sealed, widescreen vhs tapes from 1995 and my 2006 bonus discs. Will they last me another 50 years???

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I don't know, the digital release seems strictly for a different market that doesn't go out and buy Blu-Ray sets. I mean, we're talking about the same exact editions that you've been able to buy on Blu-Ray since 2012. You can buy them right now for LESS than what the new digital versions are going for.

The people buying these to watch Star Wars on their Xbox or Ipad or whatever clearly don't care about what's released on Blu-Ray, or they'd own the Complete Saga set or one of the trilogy sets. So I doubt they'd care about an announcement of a new Blu-Ray set.

If you read comments on various sites, a ton of people are already complaining about the digital versions: too expensive, not the UOT, they should have been included with the Blu-Ray purchase, etc. So somebody's going to feel like Lucasfilm "took a dump on them" pretty much no matter what.

Again though, it's about timing, marketing and whatnot. I'm not saying the digital purchasing audience and the BD audience really overlap.

[Deathbymonkeys]

I am sure may 4th these will go on sale as well.

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by Joshitaka

As for releasing the original theatrical trilogy on blu ray…

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a video of someone interviewing a Disney exec. and they asked about the possibility of doing it, and the exec. was like "it would be a great idea." ???

I remember that there was a link posted to the clip, but I couldn't get it to load. Am I confusing this with something else?

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/cnbc/56376378

Bob iger video mentioned earlier.

He has met his quote/quota to re-release all 6 original films before the force awakens hits theatres, Blu Ray was never mentioned and nor was anything relating to UOT, and behold all six are being released through digital in the 'canon' version. It was a good idea, it is a good idea, just not what the fans interpreted it to be. Face it guys, all the wishful thinking ( and that it is all it has ever been, or click baiting from sites like comic book.com, they did well out of it, their site went viral for a few weeks) in the world is not going to produce the UOT. disney has moved on, time for everyone else to as well.

If anything was coming, it would have been leaked by now to build momentum. I said before about the massive issues they have in keeping a lid on things at lucasfilm now, this would have got out, it hasn't, it isn't happening.

40th anniversary is the final hope for the short term, even then distribution rights get in the way. The longer it takes, the less mass market appeal it has, the less likely they will invest the money as the returns will not be there. With every passing day, it becomes less and less likely to ever happen.

40th makes sense for disney to keep momentum going for the new movies, keeps Star Wars in the media (although that may not be an issue if JJ has delivered) and they can revisit the anniversary of each film, dragging out the process to launch a full blown 9 film saga set when it is all finally wrapped up. If you are going to milk it the way lucasfilm has done in the past, and the way the disney vault system runs (limited time only, get it while you can before it gets returned to the vault) you would not hand over the one and only reason lifelong adopters would come back to the well again. Do that, they may not buy again.think about all of the retrospective 40 year documentaries we can all buy as special features.

Here's a thought, they can't release the UOT. the contract was only for current version of the original films? Before it kicks off, they bought marvel without Spider-Man/x-men/fantastic four etc looking at the bigger game of new product potential and revenue. Has anyone ever actually considered Star Wars may have been bought under the same proviso? The access to theme park potential which generates billions every year outweighs the need to have access to some historical artefact films. We all speculate about the billion plus return on the force awakens, the merchandise alone will outgross everything else. Where does the UOT fit in this. Chump change to placate a small section of fans that also carries a cost that may not see a return. No one else really cares, do you think disney doesn't know this?

Let's have some restraint, my OPINION only. Let's have some actual debate about things for once instead of the usual.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Merlinpants

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/cnbc/56376378

Bob iger video mentioned earlier.

He has met his quote/quota to re-release all 6 original films before the force awakens hits theatres, Blu Ray was never mentioned and nor was anything relating to UOT, and behold all six are being released through digital in the 'canon' version. It was a good idea, it is a good idea, just not what the fans interpreted it to be. Face it guys, all the wishful thinking ( and that it is all it has ever been, or click baiting from sites like comic book.com, they did well out of it, their site went viral for a few weeks) in the world is not going to produce the UOT. disney has moved on, time for everyone else to as well.

If anything was coming, it would have been leaked by now to build momentum. I said before about the massive issues they have in keeping a lid on things at lucasfilm now, this would have got out, it hasn't, it isn't happening.

40th anniversary is the final hope for the short term, even then distribution rights get in the way. The longer it takes, the less mass market appeal it has, the less likely they will invest the money as the returns will not be there. With every passing day, it becomes less and less likely to ever happen.

40th makes sense for disney to keep momentum going for the new movies, keeps Star Wars in the media (although that may not be an issue if JJ has delivered) and they can revisit the anniversary of each film, dragging out the process to launch a full blown 9 film saga set when it is all finally wrapped up. If you are going to milk it the way lucasfilm has done in the past, and the way the disney vault system runs (limited time only, get it while you can before it gets returned to the vault) you would not hand over the one and only reason lifelong adopters would come back to the well again. Do that, they may not buy again.think about all of the retrospective 40 year documentaries we can all buy as special features.

Here's a thought, they can't release the UOT. the contract was only for current version of the original films? Before it kicks off, they bought marvel without Spider-Man/x-men/fantastic four etc looking at the bigger game of new product potential and revenue. Has anyone ever actually considered Star Wars may have been bought under the same proviso? The access to theme park potential which generates billions every year outweighs the need to have access to some historical artefact films. We all speculate about the billion plus return on the force awakens, the merchandise alone will outgross everything else. Where does the UOT fit in this. Chump change to placate a small section of fans that also carries a cost that may not see a return. No one else really cares, do you think disney doesn't know this?

Let's have some restraint, my OPINION only. Let's have some actual debate about things for once instead of the usual.

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

Great start to constructive debate, the blindman who believes in the hunches of another who has sources that no one has seen who have leaked to him but not to anyone else. Next.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Merlinpants

Great start to constructive debate, the blindman.

Will never happen in this thread

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Will never happen in this thread

Shame, such a great opportunity to engage over a much loved film but if it doesn't fit with your mindset, let's get childish. I will enjoy reading, probably not participating any more.

[Angel Eyes]

The problem I have with your post is that there is no debating this issue. The nay sayers and UOT haters have thier opinion and the UOT fans have their opinion. There is no winning this argument because as of right now there is no conclusive proof either way as to a release. You have stated your opinion in other posts already and I just see this as a reshash of that to get people's dander up. This argument as you can see has gone on for over 2000 posts in this thread. For myself I am leaning toward the positive and am hopeful of a release. If it does not happen who cares, Harmy and Team Negative are taking care of those things anyway regardless of Disney/Lucasfilm or Fox. If the studio does not want our money then so be it, I can't force them to take it!


And lastly a whole generation of fans will not "just" move on. We will never "move on", we may "die off".

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Merlinpants

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/cnbc/56376378

Bob iger video mentioned earlier.

He has met his quote/quota to re-release all 6 original films before the force awakens hits theatres, Blu Ray was never mentioned and nor was anything relating to UOT, and behold all six are being released through digital in the 'canon' version. It was a good idea, it is a good idea, just not what the fans interpreted it to be. Face it guys, all the wishful thinking ( and that it is all it has ever been, or click baiting from sites like comic book.com, they did well out of it, their site went viral for a few weeks) in the world is not going to produce the UOT. disney has moved on, time for everyone else to as well.

If anything was coming, it would have been leaked by now to build momentum. I said before about the massive issues they have in keeping a lid on things at lucasfilm now, this would have got out, it hasn't, it isn't happening.

40th anniversary is the final hope for the short term, even then distribution rights get in the way. The longer it takes, the less mass market appeal it has, the less likely they will invest the money as the returns will not be there. With every passing day, it becomes less and less likely to ever happen.

40th makes sense for disney to keep momentum going for the new movies, keeps Star Wars in the media (although that may not be an issue if JJ has delivered) and they can revisit the anniversary of each film, dragging out the process to launch a full blown 9 film saga set when it is all finally wrapped up. If you are going to milk it the way lucasfilm has done in the past, and the way the disney vault system runs (limited time only, get it while you can before it gets returned to the vault) you would not hand over the one and only reason lifelong adopters would come back to the well again. Do that, they may not buy again.think about all of the retrospective 40 year documentaries we can all buy as special features.

Here's a thought, they can't release the UOT. the contract was only for current version of the original films? Before it kicks off, they bought marvel without Spider-Man/x-men/fantastic four etc looking at the bigger game of new product potential and revenue. Has anyone ever actually considered Star Wars may have been bought under the same proviso? The access to theme park potential which generates billions every year outweighs the need to have access to some historical artefact films. We all speculate about the billion plus return on the force awakens, the merchandise alone will outgross everything else. Where does the UOT fit in this. Chump change to placate a small section of fans that also carries a cost that may not see a return. No one else really cares, do you think disney doesn't know this?

Let's have some restraint, my OPINION only. Let's have some actual debate about things for once instead of the usual.

I'm certain that, like every fan of this movie, LucasFilm has heard the outcry over "Han Shot First". George Lucas himself said that if he knew how vociferous the outrage would be, he never would have done it. None of the other alterations really compare, that's the motherlode of the outrage.

As for Disney, they're famous for their preservation efforts with their catalog titles. It's a tradition that goes back to the company's founders. Walt and Roy were way ahead of their time in a lot of ways, taking meticulous care of the studio's negatives, and that legacy survives today. Trust me, when Lucas sold the company to the Mouse, the Mouse made sure those assets are/were protected. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if LucasFilm did what the Mouse did over the last few years, and digitally archive their film neg library. Now, here's the thing -- in the 90's, when making the SE's, sections of the negative for A New Hope were removed for the alternate versions, and Mr. Lucas didn't want to spend the money to re-assemble the original negative and clean it up. Today, such a thing could be done digitally and inexpensively. If LucasFilm sees a market for it -- even as a gesture of goodwill -- of course they'll bring it to market. Fans across the globe would celebrate.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

I'm certain that, like every fan of this movie, LucasFilm has heard the outcry over "Han Shot First". George Lucas himself said that if he knew how vociferous the outrage would be, he never would have done it. None of the other alterations really compare, that's the motherlode of the outrage.

I think that use to be the motherlode. The problem is far worse now with the things that were added . Lucasfilm/Disney has to know about the "projects" taking place. They have been in the main stream media already (Yahoo). I wonder why they are not concerned?

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

I'm certain that, like every fan of this movie, LucasFilm has heard the outcry over "Han Shot First". George Lucas himself said that if he knew how vociferous the outrage would be, he never would have done it. None of the other alterations really compare, that's the motherlode of the outrage.

I wouldn't say that. There are at least three or four other changes that I see tons and tons of complaints about, even from people who more or less enjoy the new editions. That music number in Return of the Jedi is probably the absolute worst change in my book, drives me nuts. Changing Fett's voice was super lame too.

In the end everyone will have different opinions on what is worst and what is best. And none of it really matters, nor does arguing about which versions are better in the first place. It's not the existence of the new cuts that bothers anyone, it is the ABSENCE of the original cuts.

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

I think that use to be the motherlode. The problem is far worse now with the things that were added . Lucasfilm/Disney has to know about the "projects" taking place. They have been in the main stream media already (Yahoo). I wonder why they are not concerned?

Perhaps they leave it as it satisfies the minor amount of people that want it without them having to spend a penny doing it properly?

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I wouldn't say that. There are at least three or four other changes that I see tons and tons of complaints about, even from people who more or less enjoy the new editions. That music number in Return of the Jedi is probably the absolute worst change in my book, drives me nuts. Changing Fett's voice was super lame too.

In the end everyone will have different opinions on what is worst and what is best. And none of it really matters, nor does arguing about which versions are better in the first place. It's not the existence of the new cuts that bothers anyone, it is the ABSENCE of the original cuts.

You are so right on the money.

Originally Posted by Merlinpants

Perhaps they leave it as it satisfies the minor amount of people that want it without them having to spend a penny doing it properly?

But they are being done properly, even the color timing is far better than anything the studio has released. I am sure they have to have seen this by now.

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

I'm certain that, like every fan of this movie, LucasFilm has heard the outcry over "Han Shot First". George Lucas himself said that if he knew how vociferous the outrage would be, he never would have done it. None of the other alterations really compare, that's the motherlode of the outrage.

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I wouldn't say that. There are at least three or four other changes that I see tons and tons of complaints about, even from people who more or less enjoy the new editions. That music number in Return of the Jedi is probably the absolute worst change in my book, drives me nuts. Changing Fett's voice was super lame too.

In the end everyone will have different opinions on what is worst and what is best. And none of it really matters, nor does arguing about which versions are better in the first place. It's not the existence of the new cuts that bothers anyone, it is the ABSENCE of the original cuts.

And therein lies my hope of a 40th anniversary 'restoration' edition which would fit beautifully with the disney vault mentality of their classic restorations.

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

But they are being done properly, even the color timing is far better than anything the studio has released.

Lol, I mean the studio doing it properly, you know, releasing it on blu ray and having the expense of doing that and marketing it and distributing it. Let the fan projects thrive, and all of that goes away. Those that actually want it are being very well served at the moment. I would love to see how many downloads of Harmy's edition there have been. Would that not be an indicator of market appetite for the UOT as it has gone into the mainstream through stories on yahoo etc.Think about the counter, what would happen if they shut all of these projects down? The clamour for them to release the restoration themselves would be unbelieveable!

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Merlinpants

Lol, I mean the studio doing it properly, you know, releasing it on blu ray and having the expense of doing that and marketing it and distributing it. Let the fan projects thrive, and all of that goes away. Those that actually want it are being very well served at the moment. I would love to see how many downloads of Harmy's edition there have been. Would that not be an indicator of market appetite for the UOT as it has gone into the mainstream through stories on yahoo etc.Think about the counter, what would happen if they shut all of these projects down? The clamour for them to release the restoration themselves would be unbelieveable!

It wouldnt be a real indicator because one has to be a little "tech" savy to even download them. Not to mention most of the fans that would buy them are in the 45-60 age group and they do know even know they exist.

[Merlinpants]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

It wouldnt be a real indicator because one has to be a little "tech" savy to even download them. Not to mention most of the fans that would buy them are in the 45-60 age group and they do know even know they exist.

True, but those who want it would find a way. I wouldn't expect it to reflect the market for the UOT, but it would be interesting to see the level of downloads. With the obstacles you correctly identified, a corporate like disney might change track if the figures were in the 100,000.