BuckNaked2k

It was a major topic of discussion for months in advance of those releases and thereafter. Anything that could be said probably was.

In the end, they sold out. I wasn't going to buy them, but I caved in, just to have the only versions that matter. They are still in my collection, and if you look on Flea Bay or on Amazon sellers, your jaw will drop at the value these things command today. I think this speaks volumes about the demand for the only versions that matter.

Doctorossi

I imagine those would be the "small, personal" movies he's been claiming were just around the corner for the last 20 years.

yoshimi

If I was an actor and Georgie asked me to be in one of his "small personal films" I would have to say no thanks. I mean why bother when he will just replace you for the 10th anniversary release with a gungan?

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the man and don't wish death upon him or anything but I am in the camp that can't stand what he has done to Star Wars. They are his films and he can do what he wants with them. I just don't have to buy them. And to answer the OP question, no I don't think he will ever release the OT OT.

Shannon Nutt

Update: Kathleen Kennedy has been hired to co-chair Lucasfilm with George until she can fully take over the position. Lucas is going to remain as CEO of the company, but will essentially be retired otherwise once Kennedy completely takes over his job in a year or so.

Whether this means Kennedy will now have control over Star Wars releases (or if George is leaving explicit instructions behind) is anyone's guess. Kennedy (whose husband is producer Frank Marshall) has a pretty close relationship with Steven Spielberg...so there might be a better chance that Indiana Jones 5 can be made without Lucas signing-off on it (again, unless he left specific instructions).

BuckNaked2k

No one will have control over Star Wars releases other than George Lucas, in this life or in the next.
Oh boy, Indiana Jones 5? Can't wait for that one. A 70 year-old Indy? Sign my ass up.

JGaitan82

Yes it is. Such a stupid addition to the film. LOL

milo bloom

This is it for me. Heck, I still buy the Clone Wars TV series on DVD each year, because they're a quality release. But I refused to buy those non-anamorphic DVD releases (unless I find them in a thrift store for a few bucks each).

And I refuse to buy the Bluray set for more than $50 or so because of the even sillier additions to the movies.

Fok

When the next major format gets released, maybe Lucas will do another set.

Doctorossi

You want more bizarre changes?!

Shannon Nutt

Getting way off topic here, but I don't think there will be another major format...well, at least not a physical one. Everything's going to be streamed to/stored in your TV in the near future. If anything, you'll be buying storage devices for your digital downloads to move them from one device to another.

Fok

Why not, if it gets rid of Jar Jar somehow, I'd welcome it

joliom

Yeah, that's another winning addition. Really the only changes I like are the subtle ones or the ones that correct obvious technical mistakes. A lot of the added CGI to the backgrounds in Empire (Hoth battle, Cloud City, etc.) work for me too even though they are more overt in nature. None of it alters important plot elements, disrupts the flow of the film, paints over the award-winning modeling, puppeteering, and visual effects works of the original crew, or adds any undue, wince-inducing silliness. Why Lucas can't understand any of this is beyond me. If my fans made me a billionaire, I'd certainly be more appreciative and accomodating, but that's just me.

Doctorossi

Do the changes that have been made so far really suggest to you that that's the direction Lucas might go in?

PatD

Say what?

What about that stupid new scene added as the Millennium Falcon escapes cloud city? You know the part where they actually have to show Darth Vader's shuttle leaving and joining the main star destroyer? (Because Vader saying simply "bring my shuttle" is not enough for today's dumb audience, I guess) It ruins the flow of one of the most exciting chase scenes of all time!

Solid Snake

Read the bold. I think he meant the bold.

joliom

Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean I approved of all the added CGI in the Cloud City scene, just the stuff that enhances some of backgrounds without trampling all over the plot, pacing, original effects work, etc. Like the new backgrounds when they first fly into Cloud City and the views through the windows when Lando is walking them through the city. The re-edited Wampa ice cave scene with the added shots is well done too. If Lucas' changes were all like that, I'd probably like the Special Editions better.

Chrisedge

I have seen the fan edit of Star Wars that took out all the special edition add ons, in HD and it looks fabulous.

I did not buy the BD, and will not give Lucas another dime of money towards Star Wars until he releases the OOT in HD. He can sell it with what ever version he wants to create, and charge almost anything, (I paid $200 for the LD Ultimate Edition years ago, so have no issue with that pricing) but until then, Despecialised for me.

BuckNaked2k

^ It's too bad they haven't done the same thing yet with eps. V and VI.

applesandrice

Oh, but they have ...

Chrisedge

^^ Exactly, and he is already working on a 2.0 version.

Surfinhank

If anybody can let me know how I can see these fan edits please PM me. I didn't buy the BD, just can't stomach those changes.