Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[The Apocalypse]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Keep your eyes on ebay, you can find one for around £30, if you're sharp.

It's not worth £50 of anyone's money.

If I may, I'd like to disagree with that, I found it worth every penny

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by Michael Harper

Yeah that sounds about right. I never actually considered them doing a 3D Collection for some reason, HaHa.

I never saw The Phantom Menace 3D in cinemas. I don't intend on seeing Attack of the Clones 3D or Revenge of the Sith 3D either. But, I will definitely go see the Original Trilogy in 3D. It will be a nice gear-up to the new trilogy starting in 2015.

I guess anything could happen now.

Obviously Disney could milk it for everything it's got, seperate 3D releases for each film and then another collection after they've all been out.

On the other hand, we could get some ****ed up Disney VAult style crap and never see the films for years until Disney decide to release a Diamond Edition or some crap and charge stupid money for it just for it to go back in the vault 6 months later.

Either way I have zero trust in Disney UK and belive they will screw up every home video release from now until the end of time.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Dinsey can't touch the original six films - their distribution deal stays with Fox. So no Disney versions of the films on blu-ray - including the original versions of the trilogy - and any more 3D ones will be distributed by Fox. At least until 2020 for Episodes I - III and V and VI but A New Hope stays with Fox forever.

Source

While Disney will own and release future films in the "Star Wars" series, the deal does NOT include the distribution rights to the pre-existing "Star Wars" films.

Those rights remain with 20th Century Fox. In fact, Fox owns distribution rights to the original 1977 "Star Wars" film in perpetuity in all media worldwide.

It also has theatrical, nontheatrical and home video rights worldwide to the other five films in the series through May 2020.

This means Disney can't issue a 'complete saga' set unless a deal with Fox is made. It also means fan hopes for quality Blu-ray editions of the theatrical cuts of the original trilogy are highly unlikely.

Fox also plans to still re-release the 3D versions of "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" next Fall.

However, the decision to not release the original versions lay with LucasFilm - not Fox. So it is still possible that the new management at LucasFilm will allow them to be released (through Fox). But I still think it is unlikely as they might find their bosses at Disney not liking them letting another studio profit from Star Wars like that. Plus Kathleen Kennedy is likely to respect George's preference and decision to not release them.

[EddieLarkin]

Fox Home Entertainment distributes many properties that Fox does not actually own. All the MGM Bond films are distributed by Fox, for example. MGM do all the work, decide what goes on the discs and in the set, and their name and logo get most prominence on the packaging. The Fox logo is usually featured on the back at the bottom.

Future Star Wars 1-6 releases will be Disney products, distributed by Fox. This is nothing new.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Fox Home Entertainment distributes many properties that Fox does not actually own. All the MGM Bond films are distributed by Fox, for example. MGM do all the work, decide what goes on the discs and in the set, and their name and logo get most prominence on the packaging. The Fox logo is usually featured on the back at the bottom.

Future Star Wars 1-6 releases will be Disney products, distributed by Fox. This is nothing new.

That's because Fox own the distribution rights for MGM though. They have a partnership with them after they paid a lot of money to have distribution rights to their products (when MGM started to go under). So it that scenario they do 'own' them, even if they're not the production studio. It's not the same situation at all.

The only possible chances of Disney releasing their own versions will be if a) they pay a hell of a lot of money to Fox for the rights - and I mean a hell of a lot as these films are obviously very profitable for Fox - and I can't see Disney wanting to spend more money on this nor Fox being willing to let them go; or b) after 2020 when Fox loses the rights to I, II, III, V and VI. Disney may be able to do a deal to let them use IV in a Complete Saga boxset but it will still be a Fox product - like how Die Hard 3 is still a BV product even though Fox did a deal with them to include it in their Die Hard boxset.

But they will never be 'Disney products distributed by Fox'. Disney don't own them, simple as that. They weren't part of the deal. When Fox distribute Star Wars films in the future it will be because they still own the rights, not because Disney have let them.

[EddieLarkin]

Of course they own them, they just bought Lucasfilm. The 2011 Blu-ray set was designed and produced by Lucasfilm, they decided what went on the discs, in the packaging, the release date, everything. Fox distributed it, and earned a small percentage of the profits. Lucasfilm is still an entity, and can put out another Star Wars boxset whenever they want.

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

Dinsey can't touch the original six films - their distribution deal stays with Fox. So no Disney versions of the films on blu-ray - including the original versions of the trilogy - and any more 3D ones will be distributed by Fox. At least until 2020 for Episodes I - III and V and VI but A New Hope stays with Fox forever.

Source



However, the decision to not release the original versions lay with LucasFilm - not Fox. So it is still possible that the new management at LucasFilm will allow them to be released (through Fox). But I still think it is unlikely as they might find their bosses at Disney not liking them letting another studio profit from Star Wars like that. Plus Kathleen Kennedy is likely to respect George's preference and decision to not release them.

So Disney will spend billions buying LucasFilm, but not bother to negotiate with Fox on the most profitable films in the Star Wars franchise? I don't think so.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Of course they own them, they just bought Lucasfilm. The 2011 Blu-ray set was designed and produced by Lucasfilm, they decided what went on the discs, in the packaging, the release date, everything. Fox distributed it, and earned a small percentage of the profits. Lucasfilm is still an entity, and can put out another Star Wars boxset whenever they want.

Yes, LucasFilm can - but Disney can't. LucasFilm own those six Star Wars films. But all distribution rights - theatrical, DVD, blu-ray, digital, TV, any way of getting the films out to the public - are with Fox. LucasFilm and Fox have a deal up until 2020 that they have sole distribution rights for Episodes I-III and V-VI, and Fox have distribution rights for Episode IV forever - there's no limit on that one. Disney knew this going in to the deal and still figured it was worth buying LucasFilm.

So yes, LucasFilm can put out another Star Wars boxset whenever they want - but it has to be put out through Fox, not Disney. Regardless of who owns the company of LucasFilm the deals currently in place for those films are still legally binding. Just like Paramount still own the distribution rights to the four Indiana Jones films.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

So Disney will spend billions buying LucasFilm, but not bother to negotiate with Fox on the most profitable films in the Star Wars franchise? I don't think so.

They obviously feel that everything else that comes with Star Wars - all the licensing, the future films, the games, the toys, anything that has Star Wars, not to mention the possibility of theme parks and all sorts that Disney can now do with the title - is worth it. Don't forget they also got Indiana Jones, Skywalker Sound and Industrial Light and Magic. They're huge companies. The $4.05b didn't go solely on Star Wars.

Whether they negotiate in the future is a different story but bear in mind Fox gets a nice profit from doing nothing for these films. Disney would have to pay a good chunk more to get them from them. Chances are it's not worth it - wait until 2020 (when the time will be to do a 9-film saga release anyway) and then the problems get much easier.

Besides, even if they do release new boxsets through Fox, LucasFilm gets the bulk of the money - and that's now owned by Disney. So whilst they can't distribute them through their own company it's not like Disney won't be making money from them overall. It's still money coming in from their investment.

[EddieLarkin]

I fail to see what your point is. If you acknowledge that Lucasfilm can put out a new boxset (under the directive of Disney, since they are now answerable to them), then why do you think an unaltered trilogy can not be put out? Fox are not involved in that decision. They are not involved in any decision at all; they have the right to distribute.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

So Disney will spend billions buying LucasFilm, but not bother to negotiate with Fox on the most profitable films in the Star Wars franchise? I don't think so.

All I want to know is when I can get the Star Wars Saga with DMR points?

I think neither FOX or Disney can do anything with the movies without the other party. So a deal will be struck very quickly. FOX will distribute the films until 2020 and Disney will buy Star Wars outright after that.

But this is Hollywood accounting we're talking about, I read earlier that Disney will save 20 million dollars a year by using ILM. I.L.M. Who knew they worked so cheap?

I bet they spend 20 million bucks a year on groin guards for Mickey Mouse impersonators in their theme parks. As the first thing I do when I pass through the gates is find one and kick him in the nuts!

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

I fail to see what your point is. If you acknowledge that Lucasfilm can put out a new boxset (under the directive of Disney, since they are now answerable to them), then why do you think an unaltered trilogy can not be put out? Fox are not involved in that decision. They are not involved in any decision at all; they have the right to distribute.

I think you missed the bit of my post where I said as much myself.

However, the decision to not release the original versions lay with LucasFilm - not Fox. So it is still possible that the new management at LucasFilm will allow them to be released (through Fox). But I still think it is unlikely as they might find their bosses at Disney not liking them letting another studio profit from Star Wars like that. Plus Kathleen Kennedy is likely to respect George's preference and decision to not release them.

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by chip75

I think neither FOX or Disney can do anything with the movies without the other party.

Doubtful. Fox's distribution deal, even their permanent one for Episode IV, is surely dependent on their ability and willingness to actually fulfill their part of the contract.

If they decided they didn't want to distribute Star Wars, or were in dire straits financially and found they couldn't, they would lose their rights to do so.

[Alhlan Ain Ajeeba]

With all the great holiday bargains on blu lately online, its probably just a matter of days till the complete saga on Amazon UK hits a sale price of 29.99 UK LBS or less. Cant wait !!!!!!!

[LesPaul]

I wouldn't count on it tbh. After the Disney deal they're bound to have renewed interest and squeeze everything they can get.

[NYorker]

I'm waiting for the Star Wars I don't have to re-edit myself with Adobe Premiere...

[The Apocalypse]

They left out crucial extra scenes in the Blu-ray

Star Wars Blu-Ray Changes - New Scenes! More Porkins! - YouTube

[Groge511]

Originally Posted by The Apocalypse

They left out crucial extra scenes in the Blu-ray

Star Wars Blu-Ray Changes - New Scenes! More Porkins! - YouTube

LOL! Gotta love Porkins!

[The Apocalypse]

Originally Posted by Groge511

LOL! Gotta love Porkins!

Yeah, he was the fundamental character from which Star Wars derived it's global cultural impact.

[Groge511]

Originally Posted by The Apocalypse

Yeah, he was the fundamental character from which Star Wars derived it's global cultural impact.

Well of course! He's the only reason why I love it so much...