Rumor: Unaltered original Star Wars trilogy coming to Blu-ray

[Werewolf]

I feel it's kind of a given Disney is going to release the theatrical cuts of the original trilogy to Blu-ray sometime before episode 7. The first thing that crossed my mind when Disney bought SW was now we can finally get the OT theatrical cuts on Blu-ray.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05/15/new-star-wars-rumors-include-original-trilogy-re-release-on-blu-rayvod-and-more/

Regardless what has been said or rumored before, there are plenty of usable high quality transfers and sources of the theatrical cuts remaining to do a new HD 4k scan. Changes to the movies aside, the current Blu-rays feature an outdated transfer with crushed blacks and terrible color alterations. The only real issue is Disney owns the IP and Fox owns the distribution rights so they'd have to come to an agreement. But I, personally, can't see Fox turning down the kind of money theatrical cuts SW Blu-rays would bring.

I do disagree with the rumor of the prequels being regulated to "Legends" status like the Expanded Universe novels and stories. Disney is, however, clearly distancing themselves from the prequels and Prequel merchandise is being phased out as the original trilogy becomes the main focus again. But I don't think they will officially retcon the PT or Clone Wars to non canon like the EU novels and video games.

[huedell]

I do disagree with the rumor of the prequels being regulated to "Legends" status like the Expanded Universe novels and stories. Disney is, however, clearly distancing themselves from the prequels and Prequel merchandise is being phased out as the original trilogy becomes the main focus again. But I don't think they will officially retcon the PT or Clone Wars to non canon like the EU novels and video games.

Well (taking the "neutrals" out of the "old or new trilogy preference of fans" equation), Disney annoying one half of their Star Wars fan base when George Lucas has already annoyed the exact other half for the last 15 years seems like the kind poor business choice that'd annoy stockholders (no matter WHICH trilogy they prefer).

[sprytel]

I read an article just recently that highlighted that while Disney owns "Star Wars", 20th Century Fox still owns the distribution on all the Original Trilogy movies for many more years, and Disney can't put out an alternate version without them being on board with it. So you add the cost of earning Fox's blessing to the cost of doing the conversion, etc. the whole thing might not be worth it.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/05/could-disney-finally-give-us-the-remastered-unedited-star-wars-we-want/2/

[sprytel]

Well (taking the "neutrals" out of the "old or new trilogy preference of fans" equation), Disney annoying one half of their Star Wars fan base when George Lucas has already annoyed the exact other half for the last 15 years seems like the kind poor business choice that'd annoy stockholders (no matter WHICH trilogy they prefer).

If you do it right, it just expands the base, right? Comics have been doing this sort of multiverse stuff for years (some more successful than others). People don't seem to freak out that Batman: Brave and the Bold and The Dark Night Rises are not in continuity, even though they both have Batman. I could see Star Wars evolving in that direction too.

[madmarva]

^Yeah, all that other Star Wars material is still out there to be enjoyed by those who like it. Lucas never considered the novels, comic books, video games cannon either. Disney, however, might be more inclined to use some of it than Lucas was.

[Werewolf]

I thought Lucas considered the books cannon and signed off on all.

The books always fell under the Expanded Universe. Only movies were true canon.

[VintageMike]

I buy it it in a heartbeat. Disney must hate Fox with a passion, since they hold this over them AND are getting the X-Men movie cash.

[Werewolf]

I read an article just recently that highlighted that while Disney owns "Star Wars", 20th Century Fox still owns the distribution on all the Original Trilogy

I mentioned that in my original post. I just can't see Fox turning down the kind of money they would get out of a SW deal. Because even though they own the distribution rights they can't do anything with it without Disney's okay.

Also, from what I understand, the kind of money actually needed to do the restoration would be very minimal by Disney standards. Under a million in the article you linked. Which is small change to Disney. But, in my opinion, the good will and positive PR they could potentially receive for all their planned SW projects would be priceless to them. Disney is thinking in the long term with SW and wants it to be around for generations like Mickey Mouse and Snow White.

[sprytel]

I mentioned that in my original post. I just can't see Fox turning down the kind of money they would get out of a SW deal. Because even though they own the distribution rights they can't do anything with it without Disney's okay.

Yep. You definitely mentioned it. Sorry if my post implied otherwise.

My point was just that one article is arguing "don't get your hopes up", while this Bleeding Cool article is saying it is happening. Who knows which one is more plausible...

All I know is I'm definitely pulling for the Bleeding Cool guys to be right.

[Dave Mc]

All I can do is hope it's true. I NEED these. I need these are they were for 20 years. NEED.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I haven't bought the original trilogy on Blu-Ray hoping we'd finally get the ORIGINAL originals. I still have the last VHS release of those.

Chris

[huedell]

If you do it right, it just expands the base, right? Comics have been doing this sort of multiverse stuff for years (some more successful than others). People don't seem to freak out that Batman: Brave and the Bold and The Dark Night Rises are not in continuity, even though they both have Batman. I could see Star Wars evolving in that direction too.

Not THAT is mind-shaking idea. And would make perfect sense except that even if that was the case and things went as good as possible in that process, *still* the prequels will always bear the label of "once having been part of canon", so I don't know how well trying to negate the prequels will go over for legions of prequel fans.

[Blue Meanie]

Wasn't the 2004 Box set a copy of the original 'Black Box' Laserdisc set from the 90's? I have both and I am pleased with both. I haven't watched the '04 set on my Blu Ray yet...but if the upconversion works the way they say it should, wouldn't that be good enough for the Star Wars fan? I've heard horror stories of how trying to bump stuff up to Blu Ray via re-mastering have in some cases led to inferior results. IMHO they should just leave it alone and have the fan that wants close to Blu Ray quality go out and find that DVD set or the Laserdisc sets and convert them to DVD.

[Werewolf]

The versions of the original trilogy on the bonus discs of the 2006 DVD sets were taken from horribly outdated low resolution transfers from the 1993 lasers discs. The transfers are not even enhanced for widescreen televisions resulting a black border surrounding the entire image. The low resolution transfers on the bonus discs look very, very bad on modern HD widescreen televisions.

[Blue Meanie]

This is the 2004 set:




Don't know if the '06 set used the same DVD masters as the '04 set. It is quite possible that the company got lazy and didn't use the same masters. Last time I did see the '04 set I didn't have a Blu Ray yet...but it still looked great on a regular DVD player. I'll have to do a marathon this coming holiday weekend on the Blu Ray to see if it does up convert.