The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
06-20-25 | 10:37 AM
#1826
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
The difference is that when Lucas reworks a Star Wars movie, he memory holes the older versions.
Paramount re-did the effects of Star Trek TOS, but the original versions are still on the blu-rays and it was also released on DVD twice in good quality, albeit 480p. And other films like CE3K, Blade Runner, and Apocalypse Now are likewise readily available in their original versions, so if you want to see the original cuts, they're still available.
And on top of everything else, Lucas also tends to make some really baffling changes to the films like adding screams when none existed before, Greedo shooting first, the unnecessary Jabba scene, etc. etc.
I also think that, from a historical standpoint, it's a crime to redo the special effects in the OT and make the originals unavailable because, even though they may rough in some spaces, they were groundbreaking at the time and an important part of cinema history.
Paramount re-did the effects of Star Trek TOS, but the original versions are still on the blu-rays and it was also released on DVD twice in good quality, albeit 480p. And other films like CE3K, Blade Runner, and Apocalypse Now are likewise readily available in their original versions, so if you want to see the original cuts, they're still available.
And on top of everything else, Lucas also tends to make some really baffling changes to the films like adding screams when none existed before, Greedo shooting first, the unnecessary Jabba scene, etc. etc.
I also think that, from a historical standpoint, it's a crime to redo the special effects in the OT and make the originals unavailable because, even though they may rough in some spaces, they were groundbreaking at the time and an important part of cinema history.
06-20-25 | 04:13 PM
#1827
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Yep. I'd bet a lot of the pushback stems from that, Lucas declaring the OT doesn't exist, will never get released, negatives destroyed, not his original vision, putting out a non-anamorphic DVD, etc. If they just quietly had released the OT alongside the SE versions (or on the same discs) with each new format, none of this fervor for the originals would even exist. They'd simply be another SW re-release among the dozens they already have done.
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06-20-25 | 08:40 PM
#1828
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
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07-04-25 | 06:25 AM
#1829
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Kenneth Colley who played Admiral Piett passed away at 87.
Kenneth Colley, the English actor known for his portrayal of Admiral Piett in the “Star Wars” franchise, has died at the age of 87, according to several reports.
Colley died at home in Ashford, Kent after battling COVID-19 and pneumonia, his representative, Julian Owen, told the BBC in a statement.
He was initially admitted to the hospital after hurting his arm in a fall, and then quickly caught the virus, according to the statement.
Owens praised Colley’s six-decade body of work, calling him “one of our finest character actors.”
“Ken continually worked on stage, film, and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC,” Owens said in the statement.
Among Colley’s extensive acting credits were roles in Clint Eastwood’s “Firefox,” “War and Remembrance,” and “The Rainbow.”
Three decades after appearing in the blockbuster Lucas films “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” Colley also appeared as a voice actor in “Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out,” playing Admiral Piett.
Colley, who was also known for his love of gardening, art collection and fast cars, died with friends at his bedside, according to the BBC.
Colley died at home in Ashford, Kent after battling COVID-19 and pneumonia, his representative, Julian Owen, told the BBC in a statement.
He was initially admitted to the hospital after hurting his arm in a fall, and then quickly caught the virus, according to the statement.
Owens praised Colley’s six-decade body of work, calling him “one of our finest character actors.”
“Ken continually worked on stage, film, and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC,” Owens said in the statement.
Among Colley’s extensive acting credits were roles in Clint Eastwood’s “Firefox,” “War and Remembrance,” and “The Rainbow.”
Three decades after appearing in the blockbuster Lucas films “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” Colley also appeared as a voice actor in “Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out,” playing Admiral Piett.
Colley, who was also known for his love of gardening, art collection and fast cars, died with friends at his bedside, according to the BBC.
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story (07-05-25)
07-05-25 | 07:31 PM
#1831
Moderator
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Couldn't tell you why, but I've always really liked Admiral Piett. As a kid, I thought he was really compelling on screen. By all accounts, I'd always heard Kenneth Colley was a nice guy.
Fun fact: he also played Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian.
Fun fact: he also played Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian.
07-05-25 | 07:48 PM
#1832
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
For one, he was the only imperial who appeared in multiple movies. So we had time with him. But he was also the only one that wasn't portrayed as a complete buffoon. He just seemed competent.
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08-01-25 | 11:16 AM
#1833
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
No surprise here... Star Wars: A New Hope returning to theaters for the 50th.
https://www.starwars.com/news/star-w...trical-release
If it were only going to be the original cut.
On April 30th, 2027, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars with a re-release of the 1977 classic back for a limited time, in theaters everywhere.
Part of Lucasfilm’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Star Wars: A New Hope will play in theaters over the May the 4th holiday, also known as Star Wars Day.
Switch on your targeting computer and keep your eyes on StarWars.com for more details, including when and where to buy tickets to this once-in-a-generation event.
Part of Lucasfilm’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Star Wars: A New Hope will play in theaters over the May the 4th holiday, also known as Star Wars Day.
Switch on your targeting computer and keep your eyes on StarWars.com for more details, including when and where to buy tickets to this once-in-a-generation event.
If it were only going to be the original cut.
08-01-25 | 11:29 AM
#1834
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
False advertising. Star Wars A New Hope will only be 30 in 2027. The unfinished piece of maclunkey that is Star Wars will be 50.
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08-01-25 | 11:45 AM
#1835
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Considering that the last changes to it were made in 2019, the version likely to screened in 2027 won't even be a decade old.
08-01-25 | 12:08 PM
#1836
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Here's hoping it'll be in theaters for longer than a week.
08-01-25 | 12:33 PM
#1837
DVD Talk Legend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Detroit, formerly known as Obi-Wanma
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I haven't gone to the last few anniversary releases, but the original still gives me the feels and it's been too long since I've seen it on the big screen.
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story (08-01-25)
08-01-25 | 12:56 PM
#1838
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I haven't seen it in the theaters since the late 70's. Will definitely go... especially if it ends up on an IMAX screen.
08-01-25 | 02:41 PM
#1839
DVD Talk Hero
08-01-25 | 07:59 PM
#1840
Moderator
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I like Star Wars.
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08-01-25 | 09:21 PM
#1841
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I've never seen the OG Star Wars in the theater. I was only 4 when it was released and didn't have money as a kid. And the SE re-releases weren't on my radar in college in the late 90s.
So yeah I'll see it. Most recently I saw the 20th anniversary re-release of Revenge of the Sith.
So yeah I'll see it. Most recently I saw the 20th anniversary re-release of Revenge of the Sith.
08-02-25 | 08:47 AM
#1842
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
They are making this announcement almost two years ahead of time and the 50th anniversary is a huge deal. Maybe they will have a remaster of the original version of Star Wars. They have to do something big for the anniversary.
08-20-25 | 12:29 PM
#1843
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
For any fans of RedLetterMedia's Mr. Plinkett reviews, here's their first Star Wars video in six years (which seems more like a franchise autopsy). This stuff has been dissected to death by countless vloggers, but I still revisit their prequel videos every couple years and get a kick out of them.
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Nesbit (08-21-25)
08-20-25 | 09:37 PM
#1844
Moderator
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I'm sure I'm missing something "great" in the Mr. Plinkett videos but -- and even more than the ridiculous voice and snarky "I know better" approach -- when I see that someone poured hours into griping about why something isn't good, especially if their presentation is around an hour, I'm not spending minute one on that claptrap.
Who wants to spend that much time and energy of their life dedicated to telling people why they hate something?! No thank you.
Who wants to spend that much time and energy of their life dedicated to telling people why they hate something?! No thank you.
08-21-25 | 12:21 AM
#1845
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I just watched it. On the whole, the video is not really a critique of the recent movies/shows. It's more a commentary on the corporate approach taken by Disney and how neither the studio nor the fans seem to know what they want out of the property anymore. It's very favorable of Andor, despite needing to compartmentalize the show's violent and adult tone when comparing it to the original films. Hell, even The Acolyte gets by relatively unscathed here - which I wasn't expecting.
08-21-25 | 03:21 AM
#1846
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I'm sure I'm missing something "great" in the Mr. Plinkett videos but -- and even more than the ridiculous voice and snarky "I know better" approach -- when I see that someone poured hours into griping about why something isn't good, especially if their presentation is around an hour, I'm not spending minute one on that claptrap.
Who wants to spend that much time and energy of their life dedicated to telling people why they hate something?! No thank you.
Who wants to spend that much time and energy of their life dedicated to telling people why they hate something?! No thank you.
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story (08-21-25)
08-21-25 | 08:01 AM
#1847
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I like Red Letter Media a lot but the Mr Plinkett videos aren't my favorite. The first ones about the prequels were unique at the time but at this point I don't know who they're for. This latest one is a recap of the last few years but with no unique insight. If you care about the last few years of Star Wars you are already up to date on that stuff. If you don't care about Star Wars you don't care about the video....
Anyways I watched it as the day is long and I do love Red Letter Media but wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't watch everything RLM puts out.
Anyways I watched it as the day is long and I do love Red Letter Media but wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't watch everything RLM puts out.
09-08-25 | 06:43 PM
#1848
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
I have this LP somewhere collecting dust in the house. Listening to this medley brought back fond memories. Now I want a movie called Star Wars: Galactic Funk. 
09-08-25 | 10:39 PM
#1849
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Been meaning to post this for a while now, just getting around to it.
A youtuber calling himself Darth Angelus has created an animated adaption of Timothy Zahn's novel Heir to the Empire, which was the foundation of the old EU pre-Disney buy-out. It introduces Thrawn, Mara Jade, and other characters and concepts that carried over into greater EU.
Very good effort for a fan film. Whole thing is in two parts and runs a bit over three hours. The animation can be a little ropy and look like something from a PS3 or 360 game, and the voice acting could be better, but it is still impressive an impressive fan effort. It's a pretty straight adaption of the novel, and as such its paced more like a novel than a film.
Darth Angelus is currently remastering Heir to the Empire as a special edition with improved graphics and working on an adaption of Dark Force Rising, the second novel in the trilogy.
Remaster Trailer:
Looks like a big improvement. Dark Force Rising (and The Last Command) should look great.
A youtuber calling himself Darth Angelus has created an animated adaption of Timothy Zahn's novel Heir to the Empire, which was the foundation of the old EU pre-Disney buy-out. It introduces Thrawn, Mara Jade, and other characters and concepts that carried over into greater EU.
Very good effort for a fan film. Whole thing is in two parts and runs a bit over three hours. The animation can be a little ropy and look like something from a PS3 or 360 game, and the voice acting could be better, but it is still impressive an impressive fan effort. It's a pretty straight adaption of the novel, and as such its paced more like a novel than a film.
Darth Angelus is currently remastering Heir to the Empire as a special edition with improved graphics and working on an adaption of Dark Force Rising, the second novel in the trilogy.
Remaster Trailer:
Looks like a big improvement. Dark Force Rising (and The Last Command) should look great.
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The Cow (09-08-25)
09-09-25 | 08:23 PM
#1850
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The General Star Wars Discussion Thread
Been beating this drum for a long time but Lucasfilm should do an animated Heir to the Empire trilogy. Luke, Han and Leia in their prime? Seems like a no brainer. They'd have to brand it "Legends/Elseworlds" or something though so it doesn't interfere with the canon timeline. They could also use a unique style, like Arcane, to differentiate it from everything else.