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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

CT Will Disney Re-Release Theatrical Cut Of The Original Trilogy?

Discussion in 'Classic Trilogy' started by Max@TSWP, Sep 18, 2015.

  1. Qui-Riv-Brid

    Qui-Riv-Brid Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Apr 18, 2013
    Hardly a surprise one would think that they have been working on 4K versions of the movies.

    The question as ever is as well as 4K version of the SE's will they also have a version of the original theatrical versions?

    "On day one, we were in Lucasfilm in San Francisco with Industrial Light & Magic and John Knowles, our supervisor, he said that they've got a brand new 4K restoration print of a New Hope - it had literally just been finished. He suggested we sit and watch it. Obviously, I was up for that."

    Whatever he means by "day one" would indicate that this was done at least a while ago and started at some time before that.
     
  2. Cedric T Sealion

    Cedric T Sealion Jedi Knight star 1

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    Jul 19, 2014
    Some of you appear to have forgotten, but we already knew about the 4K transfers. Reliance Media had clips on their website a couple of years ago. This ain't news.
     
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  3. PymParticles

    PymParticles Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Oct 1, 2014
    It's news that Edwards saw it, which might mean they're planning on doing something with it relatively soon.
     
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  4. Cedric T Sealion

    Cedric T Sealion Jedi Knight star 1

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    Jul 19, 2014
    He said he was shown the 4K transfer on day one. Which would have been at least 2 years ago.
     
  5. The_Phantom_Calamari

    The_Phantom_Calamari Force Ghost star 5

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    Nov 10, 2011

    He wasn't being hypocritical in that regard. In his view, a work of art is an extension of the artist himself, until such time as the artist dies and the copyright ultimately expires and reverts to the public:

    "The destruction of our film heritage, which is the focus of concern today, is only the tip of the iceberg. American law does not protect our painters, sculptors, recording artists, authors, or filmmakers from having their lifework distorted, and their reputation ruined. If something is not done now to clearly state the moral rights of artists, current and future technologies will alter, mutilate, and destroy for future generations the subtle human truths and highest human feeling that talented individuals within our society have created."

    His entire speech is delivered within the context of a worldview that sees the artist as supreme within his or her lifetime. The historical and cultural context he wants preserved is that which is represented by the artist's own relationship with the world over the course of a lifetime. Just as the artist changes and grows and evolves, so does the artwork. Just as the younger version of the artist once existed, so did a younger version of the work.

    The earlier versions happened. They existed. People saw them. People bought them on home media. At this point, they've even been preserved on non-degradable media! No one denies any of that. But the point is that they no longer represent who George Lucas is, or what he wants to stand as his lasting legacy to the world, and so he is under no obligation to restore and distribute them. To suggest that he has a moral obligation to do so is perverse, and goes against every principle of artistic integrity and free expression.
     
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  6. DarthCricketer

    DarthCricketer Jedi Master star 3

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    Feb 18, 2016
    And as was pointed out over a year ago here, here, here, here, here, and here, Lucas also talked about works in the context of their public and cultural legacy, which you are still conveniently ignoring.
    Furthermore, I believe it is questionable to want your earlier intentions and acts removed or concealed from view.
     
  7. theMaestro

    theMaestro Jedi Master star 3

    Registered:
    Oct 16, 2015
    Okay, I agree that he did say all that and he was advocating for artist rights. But also said this (source):
    That didn't have anything to do with "artist rights". He was talking about appreciating humor & the black-and-white perhaps contributing to the humor and new viewers not being able to appreciate said humor in its original context. This is analogous to the SE situation where people can no longer watch the movies in their original context of both film technology and Lucas' original ideas from the 70s & 80s. So, like I said, Lucas did contradict this "context" idea that he had put forth. But since his main point was about artist rights, the hypocrisy is somewhat mild.
    Sure, he doesn't have to do anything. That's even one of the reasons he put forth for not restoring the originals. He said that the special editions got priority over what he considered to be "rough drafts". And since the process was very expensive & time-consuming, it makes sense why he'd only put forth that effort on the versions he was passionate about.

    That being said, I have hope that Disney will do a restoration of the originals so that both the originals and Lucas' final versions can be made available at a comparable quality. I don't even think Lucas would be against that since, like I said, his major reason for not doing so was that he couldn't justify the effort it would take for something he wasn't passionate about. But if Disney does it? Lucas wouldn't care, as long as his final versions don't get replaced.
     
  8. Qui-Riv-Brid

    Qui-Riv-Brid Force Ghost star 5

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    Apr 18, 2013
    Tying in with the notation of the 4K versions above these would then be the ones that are 'new restorations' that are some version of the SE's but with changes like "Han shoots first" (actually only) and another version of Jabba etc etc.

    Whether or not they return to the original CT or are the same or corrected to some degree is another matter.

    If anything is done with them (if they weren't shelved) then it would likely be next year with 4K releases or maybe tied in with theatrical releases maybe in time for R1's home video release.
     
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  9. CoruscantDweller

    CoruscantDweller Jedi Knight star 2

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    Feb 28, 2015
    Honestly the one version that I always desire but probably will never get is just a redone version of the remastered. For example, keep some CGI like the expansion of the stormtrooper garrison in the Death Star and a few of the CGI shots like Cloud City and get rid of the bad stuff CGI Jabba the Hutt and Han not shooting first. That would be my ideal version unfortunately I am left to two extremes.
     
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  10. Lt. Hija

    Lt. Hija Jedi Master star 4

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    Dec 8, 2015
    I wouldn't mind if they fixed the original (and obvious) ANH editing flaws in the Death Star chasm firefight and the first X-Wing attack run (when Red Ten explodes it's actually Red Twelve which exploded earlier), yet when in doubt I'd prefer the original, theatrical version with all its imperfections in less than a split-second.
     
  11. Encuentro

    Encuentro Jedi Master star 2

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    Aug 8, 2013
    There's a fan edit for that if you're into that sort of thing. KK650's semi-specialised edition probably has what you're looking for. Regarding an official release, perhaps they'll release a version in which certain scenes have a branching option, giving viewers the ability to choose which version for a particular scene they want to watch. I don't believe that that's going to happen, but it would be nice.
     
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  12. darklordoftech

    darklordoftech Force Ghost star 6

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    Sep 30, 2012
    I'm sure Disney is going to want to release Rogue One and ANH together, which means Fox should expect a phone call.
     
  13. Artoo-Dion

    Artoo-Dion Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jun 9, 2009
    I will say that Rogue One fits nicely with the pre-SE ANH. Mos Eisley just feels of a piece with RO in that case, unlike any version with Jawas falling off Rontos and so forth.
     
  14. DrDre

    DrDre Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Aug 6, 2015
    Yeah, people forget what a desolate place Mos Eisley was before the invasion of slapstick. The fact that this scene followed the discovery of the burnt corpses of Luke's aunt and uncle, really gave those scenes a sense of danger, that was nutored in the SE.
     
  15. MeBeJedi

    MeBeJedi Force Ghost star 6

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    May 30, 2002
    I prefer Harmy's version.
     
  16. Prequel_Rubbish

    Prequel_Rubbish Jedi Knight star 3

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    Dec 5, 2014
    This speaks to what kind of person someone is. George Lucas created Star Wars, but in order to turn the thoughts inside his head into a movie on screen, and get people to enjoy the story as much as he enjoyed daydreaming about it, he had to work under constraints of time and money and pressure, in collaboration with other very talented people. The man or woman who can take a step back and accept his (large) role in that process, without overreaching for total credit and adulation, is the man who should be respected the most.

    But that is, apparently, not the kind of man George Lucas is or has become. Instead, he appears to be the man who never recovered from his experience making The Empire Strikes Back. The same man who borrowed $10 million to finish the movie, and allowed Kurtz to do whatever he wanted creatively on set just to get it done, is the man who started looking at filmmaking first and foremost as a dollars and cents enterprise. The man who turned Star Wars into a toy factory, and distanced himself from anyone who could creatively challenge him and his ideas. He became surrounded by sycophants and yes-men, wound up making three absolutely terrible movies, was grossly offended when they were (rightfully) criticized, and finally butchered and vandalized the originals in some bizarre and self-tortured act of spite.

    The 2011 BluRays are George Lucas's temper tantrum revenge at fans loving something he had a lesser (although still massive) role in creating, while hating something that was truly 100% all on him.

    Just my point of view.
     
  17. Prequel_Rubbish

    Prequel_Rubbish Jedi Knight star 3

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    Dec 5, 2014
    I have Harmy's version, but I edited in the new Alderaan and Death Star explosions, the new X-wing / Yavin shots, and the new graphics on the Falcon, for my own home viewing pleasure.

    Everything else is the same as the original.
     
  18. MOC Vober Dand

    MOC Vober Dand Manager Emeritus star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jan 6, 2004
    The climate is currently perfect for this to occur. Thanks to TFA and RO people can't get enough Old School Star Wars. The OOT is the ultimate Old School!
     
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  19. Yodateachings96

    Yodateachings96 Jedi Knight

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    Oct 24, 2015
    Having bought the collector 3D edition of TFA a couple of weeks ago, I hope Disney will release all of the other 6 films in this format. Include the 3D versions which were done a couple of years ago (for the prequels at least) as a 'bonus version' and the OOT as the 'bonus verision' for the original trilogy. Next year would be the perfect opportunity with the 40th anniversary.
     
  20. Twain

    Twain Jedi Master star 3

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    Aug 12, 2014
    It would be like if the remaining members of the Beatles "re-made" the White Album and then told the entire world that the original White Album was inferior trash and they could never listen to it again. And they based this decision on the assertion that this new version was what they always "really intended" it to be. And they were pompously proud of the horrible changes they made. But they stuck to it anyway and continued to deny fans of the original that everyone loved because....F You.
     
  21. Artoo-Dion

    Artoo-Dion Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jun 9, 2009
    McCartney already kind of did it with Let It Be... Naked. And you can still buy the original album, because I guess McCartney recognises that, like it or not, the original album has its place in history.
     
  22. Nehru_Amidala

    Nehru_Amidala Force Ghost star 7

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    Oct 3, 2016
    Why not? It would be a fun precursor to Episode VIII and 2017 will mark it's 40th anniversary.
     
  23. Artoo-Dion

    Artoo-Dion Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jun 9, 2009
    Something to consider is whether or not a double dip on Rogue One is justified. If not, they'll need some major home release for the Christmas period next year.
     
  24. Darth Dnej

    Darth Dnej Jedi Master star 4

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    Apr 27, 2013
    Disney will eventually release the theatrical cuts, but who knows when. I have a feeling the 4K restoration is for the Special Editions as they are more accessible, but we will have to wait and see.
     
  25. Qui-Riv-Brid

    Qui-Riv-Brid Force Ghost star 5

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    Apr 18, 2013
    I will say that Rogue One fits in perfectly with the SE ANH. Just like basically every other place in R1 which clearly is in the prequels and SE version of SW.

    I see it totally differently.

    Lucas is just exactly that "The man or woman who can take a step back and accept his (large) role in that process, without overreaching for total credit and adulation, is the man who should be respected the most."

    This is precisely what he did and for whatever reason some people use that against him to take credit away when he already have allowed others too much in the first place. I guess it's the old give an inch and they want a mile. The thing is it's not the people that he actually worked with who are doing this (well outside of Gary Kurtz a bit and the kind Lucas allows him to get away with his nonsense) but those who for their own reasons want to separate what they like from what he actually did.

    Kurtz was off TESB during shooting because he failed as producer yet again as on ANH. So Kurtz's "creativity" is not in question as he had little to do with it. He was supposed to be able to get things the creative people wanted done and at the end of the day was not able to do it. Getting things done within a budget of many millions was what the producer is supposed to do. Should TESB have been able to be made for over 25M as opposed to having to borrow milions more? Maybe and maybe not.

    The production IS a dollars and sense thing. Making movies is about technology and what you are able to do. Lucas was thinking about SW as a "toy factory" well before ANH came out. He knew that if he was going to finance the movies himself that is what he would need and as he often is was completely correct in that assessment. The idea that Lucas only turned to toys for ROTJ is patently false.

    The idea that Lucas distanced himself from anyone who could creatively challenge him and his ideas or became surrounded by sycophants and yes-men is simply not backed up in any way by the actual accounts of the production of the prequels. Quite the opposite in fact. The overall level of collaboration for the prequels was far greater for Lucas and his ideas were even more influenced by the long-standing team he assembled from the Young Indy TV series.

    How exactly other people give Kurtz, Kershner or Kasdan "credit" for "challenging" Lucas and his ideas I don't know. If simply asking how something works is "challenging" then that is a on the floor bar.

    The prequels are three absolutely masterful movies just like the OT. Simply at a higher level of accomplishment and collaboration. There is always someone saying they are all terrible but for whatever reason certain people agree with some assessments and not others.

    That the OT was not all he wanted was nothing new from the start. That the PT also was changed and that change was always the way Lucas worked right from the start is also so well documented that everything he did follows that path.
     
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