Star Wars, Indiana Jones

[mjhansen]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

I agree with that completely. Personally, I don't understand the whole point of backing a format exclusively and then holding back all of the top drawer titles - it makes no sense.

There are those that would argue that the studios don't want to release their big titles like Star Wars and The Matrix when the market is so small, but what is the point in waiting? 'If you build it, they will come', if you ask me. Having an exclusive like the original Star Wars Trilogy on BD stacked on the shelves right next to the PS3 and the stand-alone BD players is how you build the market, IMO, not sitting around with your hands under your butts waiting until just the right moment to maybe possibly release the big titles.

The main thing to remember is that TCFHE does not control when Star Wars gets released on DVD / Blu-Ray / HD-DVD. George does. I'm sure TCFHE would love to release these in Blu-Ray to tip the scales.

But, look how long he waited to put out the original trilogy films out on regular DVD. They are waiting for the 'perfect' moment when the market has enough penetration to support a big release and all that goes with it.

Yes, there is going to be a 30th anniversary box set coming out in a couple of months, but it will be on regular DVD.

Yes, Hi-Def masters do exist as they were created when the films were restored for the anniversary editions and were most recently viewed on Cinemax.

No, they won't release them even though this could 'tip the balance' of the war in favor of Blu-Ray. With all the info coming up on players that do both and with the HD-DVD market getting larger, why would you eliminate that market. As George has proven time and time again - why sell it once when you can sell it more than once.

My guess - The 30th anniversary box set will come out on regular DVD. The Blu-Ray and HD-DVD versions will be out in 2010 for the 30th anniversary of Empire. Now if all the other Star Wars merchandise stops selling, he may be forced to do it sooner to get money, but that is unlikely to happen.

MJH