Don't get your hopes up....it has already been widely reported that this set will only feature the inferior (IMO) theatrical cuts and definitely NOT all of the previous extras....
Personally I'd rather watch the superior extended editions upconverted on DVD than the theatricals in HD, but to each his own....

I'm definitely waiting for EE's as they'll more than likely support BOTH theatrical and extended editions on the same disc.

Why would they have both? They'll clearly want you to double-dip, so there's no incentive for them to put both versions on the EE.

Well, there was that release of combined theatrical/EE but that was in itself a double dip!

I can't wait to see the blurry areal shots from the openning action sequence made all the more blurry due to excessive DNR.

But seriously, I do hope this is a solid release. That said, I too will wait for the EE boxset. If it doesn't include the theatrical cuts (which I still watch from time to time), those should be cheap by the time EE boxset is released.

No way will this be worth $100.

$60-$75 on release though and I might pick it up... though knowing me I'd probably wait for it to hit $60 or less. I mean, if this only includes the theatrical cuts then it is kind of a rip off anyway so I'd want to limit the money I toss their way -- if you know what I mean.

Since the EE's are not being released now...you'll have to buy the Theatrical Versions now. For those who wait...they'll more than likely get both versions on one disc. It's simple branching. Why do it? Well, because it's an extra feature to put on the fancy shiny cover sheets when you go buy them.

Besides, the EE's were so harshly edited anyway, I seriously doubt it would be that difficult to branch the LoTR series for both EE and Theatrical versions. I don't think any theatrical footage is missing from the EE versions, is there? The EE versions are just added footage, from what I understand.

Not exactly. At least not with FOTR. In that film, the whole sequence in Hobbiton is composed of alternate takes and completely different footage. There other odds and ends but, as far as I recall, the major changes were in Hobbiton and it involved excising footage and not simply tacking on extra footage.

The box set is up for preorder on Amazon for $69.99. Nice box art.

http://www.amazon.com/Rings-Trilogy-...9834779&sr=8-1

Dig the box art, but bullshit with the TEs, gonna pass for now.

As much as I'd like to see these movies on BR, I have both versions on DVD and have never popped in my theatrical ones, so I think I'll pass.

Bill Hunt says these should hit in December. He also said they may be featureless and that Peter Jackson was planning on saving all content, including new features, for the extended versions after The Hobbit is finished.

I'm still buying these no matter what, but that would suck if they are charging $70 for bare-bones theatrical versions.

I love LOTR so much, but I'm not a big enough slut to lay down another $70 for the TEs, nuh-uh.

I'd have to say that the LOTR EE's are among the finest releases of DVDs in the history of the format. I do hope that the same care is given to the BD editions.

Meh. I told myself I'd buy whatever barebones BD version they put out, but... not at that price. However, it'll probably be two years before the EEs are released. Worth the wait?

The theatrical cuts are still good films, but I think I'd prefer to watch the Extended versions on upscaled DVD rather than the theatricals on blu-ray...

I have never been a huge fan of the Lord of the rings films, (always found them very overrated) But having said that these films are loved by millions and will help sell a lot of bluray players so thats a good thing as is the fact that they are going to be availble now for fans of the film to add to there library.

There will be temptation to pick these up but I'll be waiting for the EE's. Unless there's a really, really good deal down the road....................

Here comes the Quadruple dip. I'm in. Hell I'd buy LOTR 10X

I'd rather watch the Extended versions in SD than the theatrical versions in HD, so put me down for passing on this set.

I just hope the EE BR's have the deleted scenes that didn't make the extended cut editions, Jackson on some of the commentaries have hinted that another box set would include more unrestored footage in supplement form, I'd love to see the Eowyn being stalked by the orc scene.

I agree. I just watched the extended versions over a long cold winter weekend, and loved every minute of the three films. Plus, the video and audio for that set is just fantastic - obviously not HD, but pretty darn close.

I am not someone who watches LOTR's every six months, so I can certainly wait for the extended editions to hit blu-ray...I bought the theatrical version DVD's, and I NEVER watched them since I consider the extended versions the definitive cuts of the three films, so there is no point in wasting money on the blu-ray of the theatrical versions for me.

^ personally I don't think I can wait three years (!) for the extended editions, by then technology will have advanced that the proposed 4K tv's and HD players will have been released in the marketplace.

I can't wait one year, let alone three. I did an Amazon pre-order at $69.99, hoping that at some point it dips down to $60 or below.

I like the EEs but honestly don't always have 17 hours to devote to each one, so the theatrical edition will do for now.

While I like the EEs and prefer them to the theatrical versions (partly because seeing my name in the credits is pretty cool ), some of the added scenes should have remained on the cutting room floor. The theatricals are tighter, better-edited films in many ways. So yeah, I'll be getting this and anything else they release.