Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[BladeRunner2007]

Funny how no one ever wants the orignal theatrical versions of the PT. Or the IMAX cut of AOTC, which I consider to be a huge improvement over the bloated and downright terrible theatrical/blu-ray version.

[svenge]

What sane person would ever actually want to watch those two movies (regardless of version) in the first place?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Funny how no one ever wants the orignal theatrical versions of the PT. Or the IMAX cut of AOTC, which I consider to be a huge improvement over the bloated and downright terrible theatrical/blu-ray version.

Ahem (this was regarding a discussion of CG Yoda in TPM)

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I understand that rationale but it's the execution of it that also throws me off, he looks like he's been pasted in over the top. Yes, I KNOW that's exactly what they've done but it lacks the finesse of a proper feature film finish, much like the additional pod race footage which they completed for the DVD edition and is virtually SD quality at times. Factor in the DNR and I'm not much of a fan of the Blu-ray edition in general. I'd love to get an unmolested version of the theatrical edition. That's something you don't hear often in a Star Wars thread!

[milo bloom]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Funny how no one ever wants the orignal theatrical versions of the PT. Or the IMAX cut of AOTC, which I consider to be a huge improvement over the bloated and downright terrible theatrical/blu-ray version.

I think it's clear Lucas had lost some of his touch with regards to editing by the time of the PT.

All three films need do-overs that could be accomplished with existing footage.
TPM needs to be trimmed for pacing. AOTC has scenes with Padme's family that would help and ROTS needs the "seeds of the Rebellion" scenes added back with Mon Mothma.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by koberulz

And you believe this in spite of Disney employees specifically saying they won't be released, for the exact reason they've never been released before?

Who said that and when?

If so, it would be a real shame, but the silver lining as I've said before would be: better sources= better fan preservations, so there's that at least.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Funny how no one ever wants the orignal theatrical versions of the PT. Or the IMAX cut of AOTC, which I consider to be a huge improvement over the bloated and downright terrible theatrical/blu-ray version.

I'd be totally fine with the theatrical cuts, however I do think CGI Yoda in The Phantom Menace is probably the only great Improvement in all the revised versions.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Funny how no one ever wants the orignal theatrical versions of the PT. Or the IMAX cut of AOTC, which I consider to be a huge improvement over the bloated and downright terrible theatrical/blu-ray version.

I've actually always wanted to go back to the original cut of Phantom Menace, mostly because of that damn podrace scene. It was long enough originally and didn't need all that extra padding. I'd take cracked-out puppet Yoda in exchange.

Haven't seen the IMAX cut of Episode II-- what was removed exactly?

[shinobipopcorn]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Funny how no one ever wants the orignal theatrical versions of the PT. Or the IMAX cut of AOTC, which I consider to be a huge improvement over the bloated and downright terrible theatrical/blu-ray version.

I think a few of the new pod race scenes are okay, but you can't spin straw into gold. Yeah, CG Yoda fits the rest of the PT better, and you get a little more pod race exposition, but more changes more problems.

I rarely watch AOTC, but I remember my theater did have the version with Anakin holding Padme's hand at the end. Apparently not all theaters had that? Add or take away what you want to this one, I just don't like it. I'd tie it with TLJ or slightly higher because of Yoda's lightsaber fight, that was good.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by svenge

What sane person would ever actually want to watch those two movies (regardless of version) in the first place?

Now, I will NEVER claim to be sane... but if it sticks in the craw of just one person who says something like this, I'll do it. I'll do it 100 times over.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

I rarely watch AOTC, but I remember my theater did have the version with Anakin holding Padme's hand at the end. Apparently not all theaters had that? Add or take away what you want to this one, I just don't like it. I'd tie it with TLJ or slightly higher because of Yoda's lightsaber fight, that was good.

Back then theaters were just starting to switch to digital projection, and AotC was one of the first digital productions to make use of it, if I'm not mistaken. So Lucas first released a cut of the movie that had to be converted to film (which is how most people probably saw it back in 2002), then made a few small alterations for the final digital release since he had a bit more time to tinker with it. Apparently you saw it in digital.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I've actually always wanted to go back to the original cut of Phantom Menace, mostly because of that damn podrace scene. It was long enough originally and didn't need all that extra padding. I'd take cracked-out puppet Yoda in exchange.

Haven't seen the IMAX cut of Episode II-- what was removed exactly?

The film was released on IMAX theaters on 1 November 2002. The reformatted IMAX version was approx. 20 minutes shorter than the theatrical release. These are some of the scenes that has been cut from the IMAX version:

A long scene in Palpatine's office involving Yoda and Amidala. Palpatine suggests Kenobi and Anikin as bodyguards.
Jar Jar greeting the Jedi pair as they enter Amidala's quarters.
Kenobi talking to the Jedi head librarian.
The hilltop scene on Naboo where Anakin rides a grazing animal and Amidala and Anakin talk about political science.
Mace Windu and Yoda discuss whether they should reveal that the Force is no longer as easy to use.
The scene in which Yoda says that while Anakin is somewhat arrogant, that is an increasingly common failing among Jedi.
Owen Lars greeting Anakin and Amidala at the farm.
The confrontation between Count Dooku and Kenobi is shorter.
Jar Jar being set up by Palpatine to get the Senate hand more power to him.
Part of the scene where Padme sees Anakin for the first time in 10 years. The cut goes directly from the elevator to ObiWan discussing security.
Part of the scene where Anakin and Padme leave Coruscant has been trimmed
The scene where Anakin and Padme meet with the Queen has been eliminated
Scenes with Anakin and Padme on Naboo have been trimmed, with the picnic scene eliminated completely.
When Obi Wan was captured and met with Dooku, after the line "I'll never join you" it cuts directly to the Senate floor without Dooku responding "It may be difficult to secure your release".

[hanshotfirst1138]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Why do you have to just go and be a dream-squasher? WHY????

Realistically, a 4K release will have the same versions as the Blu-Ray set, but completely remastered. The prequels will all be 2K upscaled with an HDR pass, but Phantom Menace especially would benefit from a remaster.

Then, of course, is the coveted classic versions. I actually do believe Disney and Lucasfilm will be releasing those as well, as I'm skeptical that there is any obligations, contractual or otherwise, keeping them from doing so. Previously they weren't released because Lucas was in charge and had no interest in doing it. I don't think at this point he has any aversion to them being released, though.

I’d give my eye teeth for proper 4K remasters of the original cuts. It’s never going to happen.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

I’d give my eye teeth for proper 4K remasters of the original cuts. It’s never going to happen.

Under Lucas it was apparently never going to happen, but I don't see why it's not possible now. I mean, Disney has been scanning all the damn outtake footage in 4K, I'm sure they did the same for the negative elements cut out to make the Special Edition.

I'd pretty much give up if a new 4K set comes out and it's the same 2011 versions with no mention of anything else, or Kathleen Kennedy goes on record and says "there will be no original version release." And no, that video where she vaguely talks about how they aren't modifying Lucas' films doesn't count.

[koberulz]

Would you take Pablo Hidalgo saying there won't be original versions released? Because that happened.

[Panama Jack]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Would you take Pablo Hidalgo saying there won't be original versions released? Because that happened.

Considering the public clamoring for the original cuts, if I was Disney, my public line would be "we have no plans to release to the originals" all the way up to the very day that I officially announced the release of the originals.

The reasons are several fold: why cut into all those sales that will happen between now and then of the current versions? And if you want the option of using Hayden Christensen as a force ghost in the sequel trilogy (even if the chance of that is extremely slim), then it makes no sense between now and then to release a version of the film with Sabastian Shaw as the force ghost.

Also, it made sense to either wait until the distribution deal with Fox expired (which is what they would have likely done had they not bought Fox), or wait until the acquisition of Fox is done. Once the ink on the acquisition deal is dry, however, I can only assume that a new boxed set will be put out as soon as possible to build hype for Episode IX, and it's my opinion that the originals will be included as an extra or bonus disc in that box.

Until then, though, the party line will likely continue to be, "we have no plans to release the originals"

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Would you take Pablo Hidalgo saying there won't be original versions released? Because that happened.

I just looked that up. Apparently Lucas is holding it back after all? That's interesting, because it seemed like he had softened on the idea later on, saying that the "classic" versions were not a priority when asked about it. That was a big deal compared to his "they were rough drafts that will deteriorate on old tapes" comments when the DVD's came out.

Well, if it isn't a contractual/legal thing, it's not impossible. Maybe he'll say it's okay in they release the 4K version as "bonus material."

[imsounoriginal]

That's kinda always been the question: are they holding the UOT back out of a good-faith agreement with Lucas, or is it actually written into the language of the Disney purchase that the UOT can never be released? If we don't get them in 2020, I really don't think we ever will.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Would you take Pablo Hidalgo saying there won't be original versions released? Because that happened.

I suspect he has zero to say regarding any decision made about versions released. Anything can happen once the deal with Fox is finalized.

[shinobipopcorn]

Knowing Lucas, he'd probably say "you got them already, stop whining". [Referring to the LD versions on that one DVD release]

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

That's kinda always been the question: are they holding the UOT back out of a good-faith agreement with Lucas, or is it actually written into the language of the Disney purchase that the UOT can never be released? If we don't get them in 2020, I really don't think we ever will.

When Lucas dies we'll get the original originals. I'm being neither snarky nor morbid when I say that, it's what I truly believe.