Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by Arawn

Star Wars wasn't released on DVD until 9/21/04.

I meant VHS.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Nada

The studio didn't write the script, design the look of the film, edit the film, shoot second unit, etc. Lucas is both the studio and the filmmaker in this case, he just didn't have enough hours in the day to direct and honestly, didn't want to after filming the first film nearly killed him. They are clearly his films through and through. He practically directed Jedi too.

He did have his hands in all the pies, true enough, though there's less of his influence in Empire (and it shows) because he was busy building up Lucasfilm and trying to keep the banks off his ass when production overran, I think he later remarked that producing Empire was even more stressful than directing Star Wars! But Jedi is a George Lucas joint, yep. Marquand kept the first unit going while Lucas did second but his mere presence on set meant that people went to him more than they did Marquand if they had any queries, and once the Welshman delivered his contractual first cut of the film Lucas brought in his own editor and recut the picture.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by solaris72

That's why David Lynch turned down the offer to direct Jedi.

A David Lynch Jedi... now that would have been weird.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by Arawn

A David Lynch Jedi... now that would have been weird.

Instead of Luke and Leia being brother and sister they would have been the same person.

[jw007]

Hi, an avid Star Wars fan here...

I already knew "The Complete Saga" wouldn't have any of the original cuts prior to Lucas modifying/CGI'ing scenes, but deep down somewhere in the back of my brain I was still hoping maybe this forthcoming box set would be "the one"...but of course it isn't.

That being said, is it wise to assume the original films will never be re-released on blu-ray as long as George Lucas is alive?

(if only Lucas was a bit more like Ridley Scott, who made every version of Blade Runner available on that 30th anniversary collector's edition that came out a few years ago).... *Sigh.

[starkrogersthor91]

So... I'm sure this has been covered... but, how can they continue to tout this new set as the "Complete" saga when we have new films coming?

[rexcrk]

Originally Posted by jw007

Hi, an avid Star Wars fan here...

I already knew "The Complete Saga" wouldn't have any of the original cuts prior to Lucas modifying/CGI'ing scenes, but deep down somewhere in the back of my brain I was still hoping maybe this forthcoming box set would be "the one"...but of course it isn't.

That being said, is it wise to assume the original films will never be re-released on blu-ray as long as George Lucas is alive?

(if only Lucas was a bit more like Ridley Scott, who made every version of Blade Runner available on that 30th anniversary collector's edition that came out a few years ago).... *Sigh.

Now that Disney owns Star Wars, it's really out of Lucas's hands (as far as I know).

And (again, as far as I know), it's a matter of if Disney wants to put in the work of restoring the original cuts of the movies. They'll also have to pay royalties to Fox if I remember right.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by rexcrk

Now that Disney owns Star Wars, it's really out of Lucas's hands (as far as I know).

And (again, as far as I know), it's a matter of if Disney wants to put in the work of restoring the original cuts of the movies. They'll also have to pay royalties to Fox if I remember right.

Well, that a bit more reassuring.

At this point, with 3 post-sequel films coming out, I'd rather just wait until the saga is really "complete", and if all 9 films are released in ultra HD with old and new versions available, with all the bells and whistles, that will be the edition to own.

Maybe in a galaxy far, far away...

[Kylo Ren]

I want to apologize for asking a question that I'm sure has been asked already many times. But, I simply can't read through all these pages and try to find the answer.

I own the 2011 version of Star Wars: The Complete Saga. Regarding the upcoming October 2015 release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga, is there ANY differences between the two versions or are the two versions EXACTLY the same other than the cover art is different?

Counting down the days until The Force Awakens!

Thank you!

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by davlee1991

So... I'm sure this has been covered... but, how can they continue to tout this new set as the "Complete" saga when we have new films coming?

Technically you could refer to it as "George Lucas' Complete Saga" or something to that effect. They probably also want to make it clear that this is the same exact set released earlier with new packaging.

It's pretty much a given that they will release a completely new set later down the line, although what it will exactly have in it is up in the air at this point, though I personally expect them to release new 4K restorations of both the originals and 1997 Special Editions in some kind of "Legacy" set, based on the rumors that have been going around.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, that a bit more reassuring.

At this point, with 3 post-sequel films coming out, I'd rather just wait until the saga is really "complete", and if all 9 films are released in ultra HD with old and new versions available, with all the bells and whistles, that will be the edition to own.

Maybe in a galaxy far, far away...

What makes you think they are going to stop at 9? Plus, wouldn't it have to have all the spinoff movies they are making also to be complete?

Originally Posted by Kylo Ren

I want to apologize for asking a question that I'm sure has been asked already many times. But, I simply can't read through all these pages and try to find the answer.

I own the 2011 version of Star Wars: The Complete Saga. Regarding the upcoming October 2015 release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga, is there ANY differences between the two versions or are the two versions EXACTLY the same other than the cover art is different?

Counting down the days until The Force Awakens!

Thank you!

Why can't you read through the pages like everyone else to find the answer?

[nousefouraname]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, that a bit more reassuring.

At this point, with 3 post-sequel films coming out, I'd rather just wait until the saga is really "complete", and if all 9 films are released in ultra HD with old and new versions available, with all the bells and whistles, that will be the edition to own.

Maybe in a galaxy far, far away...

It would only be the edition to own until Episode X comes out.

At this point, there should never be another set of anything released with the word "complete" on it.

I like the trilogy sets that came out at the same time as the complete set. Sure, they are missing the bonus discs (which I also have), but the packaging seems more appropriate.

If they are going to say "complete" they could call a future release "The complete George Lucas theatrical collection." Other than that, it's false advertising.

[Kylo Ren]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

What makes you think they are going to stop at 9? Plus, wouldn't it have to have all the spinoff movies they are making also to be complete?



Why can't you read through the pages like everyone else to find the answer?

Because I don't have time to read through hundreds of pages. Thanks for being a big help!!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

What makes you think they are going to stop at 9? Plus, wouldn't it have to have all the spinoff movies they are making also to be complete?

You're right. Nothing is ever truly complete!

Maybe it will turn into something like Star Trek... There are now 13 feature films (the 13th is the forthcoming one). Or James Bond. Or any other franchise which is massive...there is no truly complete ending to this "universe". "Star Wars" will continue being released with new and old characters (after all, how can C3PO or R2D2 ever "die"?).

Originally Posted by nousefouraname

It would only be the edition to own until Episode X comes out.

At this point, there should never be another set of anything released with the word "complete" on it.

I like the trilogy sets that came out at the same time as the complete set. Sure, they are missing the bonus discs (which I also have), but the packaging seems more appropriate.

If they are going to say "complete" they could call it "The complete George Lucas theatrical collection." Other than that, it's false advertising.

Again, absolutely correct.

"Complete" is just a marketing tool to get fans and naive audiences to buy into the "collector's value" that is really just a marketing tool for making money.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

It's still piracy. It's still illegal. No matter the excuse.

I'm opposed to anyone stealing content. For example, I don't think anyone should be posting music they don't own to YouTube and then in turn posting links to it on Facebook. I run a few sites and people steal content from my sites all the time without attribution.

But this is a bit different. Regardless of how one defines it, if Disney or Lucasfilm thought this was a problem, they could issue a takedown notice. If they haven't and especially if this is posted to a major site, like YouTube, then Disney or Lucasfilm doesn't have a problem with it, and if they don't have a problem with it, then I don't have a problem with it from a legal or ethical standpoint. (And YouTube has some pretty hefty software to check for copyright violation. I put up video of a family member dancing to a relatively rare track of music that was heavily edited and YouTube still recognized it as someone else's content. And I was given a video clip to post on a website I manage by the musician who is in the clip and within seconds of posting, YouTube sent me a notice that I violated their rules about posting someone else's content and I now have points against me. How all the videos of music singles rotating on turntables while the track plays stays up there, I don't know.)

One of the things I've also noticed recently are bootleg music recordings up on Amazon. (By bootleg, I mean studio outtakes or live recordings, not illegal copies of commercial releases.) For example, there's a fair number of bootleg Beatles recordings up there. Since the Beatles' holding companies monitor and protect their stuff pretty well, either someone has found a way around the legalities or the Beatles have decided they don't care anymore.

And a lot of the fan edits that are around, where they do all kinds of creative things like combine Star Trek and Star Wars or combine 10 movies into one clip in a continuous narrative, etc., are quite creative and even though they contain copyrighted work, don't do any harm to the value of the works it was created from. While I'm no copyright lawyer, I'd be inclined to say it's fair use.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, that a bit more reassuring.

At this point, with 3 post-sequel films coming out, I'd rather just wait until the saga is really "complete", and if all 9 films are released in ultra HD with old and new versions available, with all the bells and whistles, that will be the edition to own.

Maybe in a galaxy far, far away...

As long as it's successful, it's never going to be complete. Disney paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm (half in stock) and they are going to exploit that investment as long and as well as they possibly can. At $100 million profit per film, it would take 40 films to make back the investment. Even at $200 million profit per film, it would take 20 films. I suspect that after a while, they won't release a film every year, but they will still be released on a regular schedule unless revenues start to decline substantially. Then they'll put them on hiatus for a bit and then reboot.

Also, and even though packages like that almost complete James Bond box were released, if you put too many films into one box, the box gets too expensive for the masses to afford, especially at Disney prices.

But having said that, I think new boxes can be expected after every two films. There's no reason they can't print just enough to last two years and then issue a new box with all the films as well as an individual release of the newest film.

And people are still in denial about Fox's rights to the first film. It's not that it's impossible for that film to show up in a box, but Fox will want something really big in return, aside from its pro-rated share of the revenue.

Even though Lucas is out, my opinion is that the unaltered OT is not released in his lifetime and maybe never. But I have no facts to back that up.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

And a lot of the fan edits that are around, where they do all kinds of creative things like combine Star Trek and Star Wars or combine 10 movies into one clip in a continuous narrative, etc., are quite creative and even though they contain copyrighted work, don't do any harm to the value of the works it was created from. While I'm no copyright lawyer, I'd be inclined to say it's fair use.

George Lucas himself has said that he actually has no problem with fan-edits and things of that nature. Plus there is not current in-print copies of the original cuts to purchase from Disney or Lucasfilm (the last release with them, containing the laserdisc transfers are OOP).

So no, I don't have a negative opinion about downloading a fan-preservation project like the Harmy Despecialized Editions. When Disney releases a new edition of Star Wars with the UOT I'll be rushing out the door to go buy it.

[kemcha]

First, this is Fox Home Video, NOT Disney. Technically, Fox Home Video can call their boxed set whatever they want. Since they aren't producing Episode VII, this is the complete saga from Fox Home Video.

Plus, nobody should be surprised that Fox Home Video is releasing this new boxed set prior to the release of the new Star Wars movie. Even I saw that one coming. Fox Home Video is taking advantage of the new movie from Disney to sell more Star Wars boxed sets.

It's kind of funny, if you think about it, that Disney will never be able to release a "Star Wars Complete Saga/Series" boxed set since Fox Studios owns the first Star Wars movie in perpetuity.

[BuckNaked2k]

Originally Posted by jw007

...but of course it isn't.

That being said, is it wise to assume the original films will never be re-released on Blu-ray as long as George Lucas is alive?

Yes.

[Nada]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

But this is a bit different.

It's not. It's still piracy, however you want to try and spin it. End of story.