Star Wars DVD's

[C Dubya 04 0]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/...reut/index.html

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2004 Posted: 9:30 AM EST (1430 GMT)

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- The original "Star Wars" trilogy, one of the most-requested DVD episodic film franchises, is expected to be released as a four-disc DVD box set September 21.

 

A global rollout on DVD is expected within days of the domestic release, according to Lucasfilm Ltd. and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

 

The trilogy, featuring the classic franchise films "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," will be released on three DVD discs, with a fourth disc likely to hold a newly made documentary about the "Star Wars" franchise and never-before-seen footage, among several other bonus materials, said Jim Ward, Lucasfilm's VP of marketing and distribution and the DVD trilogy's executive producer.

 

"We are currently in the process of restoring and remastering all three titles for the DVD release, so we're still working on details of the marketing strategy," Ward said. "But I believe that it is safe to say that it will receive tremendous exposure across all media."

 

Lucasfilm and Fox chose the September release date to maximize on holiday gift buying during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment president Mike Dunn said.

 

"We sold about 17 million VHS 'Star Wars' units during two fall release periods in '95 and '97," he said.

 

Combining huge consumer demand for the "Star Wars" franchise with being first out of the gate during the busy fourth-quarter home video market, Fox and Lucasfilm are hoping to cash in on DVD sales throughout the holidays and up until the theatrical release of "Star Wars: Episode III," which is set for release nationwide May, 25, 2005, Dunn and Ward said.

 

Each of the three films in the "Star Wars Trilogy" has been digitally restored and remastered for sound and picture quality, Ward said.

 

"First and foremost, the DVDs will deliver the very best possible sound and picture and take advantage of everything the medium can offer," Ward said. "On top of that, we are creating added-value material that gets inside the creation of the 'Star Wars' films in a fresh and fun way. We want watching this DVD collection to be as memorable as seeing the movies for the first time."

 

The films of the "Star Wars Trilogy" will be sold exclusively as a collection at a still-to-be-determined retail price and not separately, Fox executives said. However, retailers have been known to break up DVD box sets and sell individual titles after the first month out on store shelves.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

I didn't see it mentioned in the article, but it'll probably be the SE's as opposed to the original versions. Doesn't bother me too much, since I've got them on DVD already, but I'm sure other people will be a bit peeved.

 

Regardless, I'll get this release, as well as any other ones George throws our way, because I'm *that* hopeless of a SW mark. Hopefully the original versions will see an official release, too.

[Guest EQ]

I heard Lucas was going to re-do the original trilogy a second time taking out stuff that people hated from the SE and adding new shit

[eiker_ir 0]

from DVD Talk.com:

 

 

It's the big DVD announcement you've all been waiting for: Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox have announced the DVD Release for Star Wars Trilogy DVD on September 21st. This special 4 disc box set will include the three "original' Star Wars movies (Star Wars IV: A New Hope, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi) presented in THX Anamorphic Widescreen and Dolby Digital-EX.

 

Each film will be released in the 'Special Edition' version (including the changes made to the films for their theatrical re-release in 1997) and feature audio commentary by George Lucas and select members of the cast and crew. There will NOT be an option to view the films in their original theatrical version and the films will not be sold individually. In addition to the three features the box set will also feature a fourth disc including making-of documentaries and features for the 3 films as well as a 2 hour documentary including never-before-seen footage. Exact pricing for the set, specific disc extras and an official pre-order date to be announced in the weeks ahead.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

I'll get any/every version he puts out. I might as well just give George access to my checking account.

[Guest EQ]

I might wait till after episode III, he'll probably put all 6 out in a bigger box set with more extras

[Guest JumpinJackFlash]

I'll get it. Hopefully, it will have some cool special features. One thing I hope will be on there is a collection of Star Wars Fan Films, especially Troops. That was a funny movie!

[starvenger 0]

I'll get any/every version he puts out. I might as well just give George access to my checking account.

Same here. Guess I'll have to buy those ripped-from-LD non-SE DVDs at a comicon as well now...

[Guest Krazy Karter]

I'll get any/every version he puts out.  I might as well just give George access to my checking account.

Same here. Guess I'll have to buy those ripped-from-LD non-SE DVDs at a comicon as well now...

The laserdisc transfers are also on eBay

[starvenger 0]

Thanks, but that's a bit too rich for my blood. You should be able to get them all for $30-$40 at a comic (or sci-fi) convention...

[Guest EQ]

I hope will be on there is a collection of Star Wars Fan Films, especially Troops. That was a funny movie!

I doubt it. I agree though, Troops was pretty funny. I just don't see Lucas putting anything on there unless he made it himself

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Fuck Lucas and his stupid special editions.

 

I could live with them until the end of Jedi...I didn't get my Ewok song...and I want nothing to do with a set that doesn't give it back to me.

[Garth 0]

This has made my day, been wondering when they would be released on DVD for a while now. I'm such a Star Wars mark i scare myself sometimes.

[Guest EQ]

I used to be into Star Wars a lot. The new trilogy ruined it for me, I guess. Episode II was a big step above Episode I, but it was still nothing special.

 

I'll still get them on DVD though

[NoCalMike 0]

I liked the restored editions. Not the ones where they fucked with the scenes, but just the ones where they upgraded the sound and picture quality.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I prefer the SEs, but I don't understand why Lucas won't release the Originals if there is an audience for it.

 

Greedo shooting first sucks, I don't like seeing the Wampa, and Luke's scream in Cloud City doesn't make sense, but I like the rest of the changes. We actually get a good look at locations like Mos Eisley & Cloud City now, and at the very least we can no longer see through the snowspeeders. That drove me crazy in the originals.

[Guest DVD Spree]

Well, it's been well publicised that Lucas has been shooting new SE footage for the originals for a while (insert shots of Hayden whatshisface to replace Sebastian Shaw in RoTJ, insert shots of Natalie Portman, allegedly a new Obi-Wan/Vader battle for ANH etc. etc.). If, as I think is inferred from the DVDTalk article, these DVDs are the 1997 Special Editions, the set is almost guaranteed to be double-dipped when Lucas releases the new Special Special Editions with all this new shit after Episode III.

 

Then, once we've all bought the set twice, he'll release all six films in a huge boxset, and then he'll "cave in to public demand" and release the original theatrical versions of the first trilogy, and then another six-disc set with the theatrical trilogy and the new trilogy... beleedat, playa. I'm calling it right now.

[Anakin Flair 0]

Wait; George is doing a commentary? I thought he said he would NEVER do commentary tracks.

[BlackFlagg 0]

Wait; George is doing a commentary? I thought he said he would NEVER do commentary tracks.

It'll just be him making cash register noises throughout the movie, heh

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Wait; George is doing a commentary? I thought he said he would NEVER do commentary tracks.

I thought that was Spielberg. Lucas did them for TPM & AOTC.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Then, once we've all bought the set twice, he'll release all six films in a huge boxset, and then he'll "cave in to public demand" and release the original theatrical versions of the first trilogy, and then another six-disc set with the theatrical trilogy and the new trilogy... beleedat, playa. I'm calling it right now.

And we'll buy each & every one.

 

'Cause we're lemmings like that.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Fuck the Ewok song. The Special Edition ending of Return of the Jedi makes me tear up every time, something those little annoying teddybear fuckers couldn't.

 

... shaddup, I get emotional sometimes.

[Guest EQ]

What's the difference between the SE Jedi ending and the original again?

[BlackFlagg 0]

Fuck the Ewok song. The Special Edition ending of Return of the Jedi makes me tear up every time, something those little annoying teddybear fuckers couldn't.

 

... shaddup, I get emotional sometimes.

I'm torn on it....I like the multiple shots of the different planets celebrating in the SE....but the music just didn't seem right, the original music seemed to fit the mood better.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Fuck the Ewok song. The Special Edition ending of Return of the Jedi makes me tear up every time, something those little annoying teddybear fuckers couldn't.

 

... shaddup, I get emotional sometimes.

Just because you cry like a little bitch...that doesn't make it good.

 

The Ewok song is the best thing in the whole stupid Star Wars universe (KOTOR comes in second)

 

Now can you dig that...

 

 

SUCKAAAAAAAAA

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

EWOK SONG RULES ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I might wait till after episode III, he'll probably put all 6 out in a bigger box set with more extras

 

I'll follow your lead.

 

Edit:

EWOK SONG RULES ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OMG, I can't believe they took that out. That was the best way to go out before the credits rolled! FUCK YOU LUCAS!

[pochorenella 0]

Just like SpacemanSpiff said, I'll buy any version that comes out, specially SE, but I can understand if there's some fan preference for the original versions. Aside from the Greedo shooting first debacle, I like almost all the changes or enhancements made for the SE trilogy: the Wampa, the Sarlaac Pit, Bespin having windows, echo sounds on the Death Star, etc.

 

And, oh yeah, the new ROTJ ending ruled. That first Ewok song sucked.

 

**runs away from bps21**

 

Anyone remembers the release date for the Clone Wars DVD? I'm getting those, too.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Yeah, so .. anyone have new undies for me?

 

I am certainly buying this, but I still want original versions.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Bumping this after seeing some stuff at the imdb.com boards that may or may not have been posted already (but probably were):

 

Directly from the rumor mill Ain't it cool news (http://www.aintitcoolnews.com), here are changes that lucas intend to make to the DVD versions coming in sept. 2004

 

Episode IV: A New Hope

 

01. The Imperial March has been added to Darth Vader's first appearance on Princess Leia's ship.

02. When Obi-Wan is talking to Luke about his father Anakin's Theme plays in the background and then it turns into the Imperial March as he talks about Vader.

03. The lightsaber effects have been redone and the frame jumps of lightsabers being turned on has been removed.

04. There's a new scene which has been shot during the filming of Episode III in which the Emperor dissolves the Senate.

05. In the Cantina, the Duros(green aliens guys) have been replaced with Neimoidians and some aliens from the prequels have been added.

06. The bleeding arm on the floor in the Cantina has been replaced with a non-bleeding arm because it's now canon that lightsabers cauterize wounds.

07. The original shooting scene between Han and Greedo has been restored.

08. Jabba the Hutt has been given a makeover and Han no longer steps on his tale.

09. In place of R2 wobbling down the stairs to the Falcon's hangar, a CG R2 navigating the stairs like he does in Attack of the Clones was added.

10. The white boxes around space ships have been removed and new CG shots have been added.

11. The scene of the Falcon being chased by the two Star Destroyers was modified. The Falcon now does spinning moves, avoiding the Star Destroyers' fire.

12. When the Death Star destroys Alderaan there's a new scene of Yoda's reaction to the disturbance in the Force that is created by all those deaths and then it cuts to Obi-Wan reacting to it as well.

13. The Dianoga has gotten a CG makeover and were are now able to see more of the creature.

14. The Death Star's paneling and computers have been slightly altered to show similar displays to those in the prequels.

15. The words "Tractor Beam" with Aurebesh lettering.

16. More stormtroopers have been added to the Death Star.

17. Temuera Morrison's voice is being recorded for use with all the stormtroopers.

18. The Obi-Wan/Vader duel has been spruced up. It is much more epic and there is much more movement. A modified version of Duel of the Fates is being considered for the scene.

19. The Death Star plans that are taken from R2 have been updated. When the Rebels are reviewing the Death Star plans they look similar to the plans we see in Attack of the Clones.

20. The Death Star battle is much more epic with more Tie Fighters and more Rebels being blown to bits. We get to see old Naboo starfighters being used by the Rebels.

21. There's a new scene(shot during Episode III) where Darth Vader goes to Coruscant and lands his ship in the same building Count Dooku does at the end of Attack of the Clones. Except now the building is all fixed up and it is now Palpatine's palace. He meets with Palpatine to ask for forgiveness for his failure and inform him of a new potential who is strong in the Force.

22. Chewbacca now gets a medal.

 

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

 

01. The taun-tauns are now CG.

02. The battle of Hoth is much more epic. We see the Imperial ships land on Hoth and release AT-ATs. The AT-ATs have been sped up a bit. There's a ground battle between the Rebel soldiers and stormtroopers featuring new ships and vehicles.

03. Temuera Morrison's voice is being recorded for the older Boba Fett and all the stormtroopers.

04. The white boxes around space ships have been removed.

05. The slug monster is CG.

06. Ian McDiarmid has refilmed scenes as the Emperor. The conversations between Vader and Palpatine is now longer and features a few connections to the prequels.

07. Yoda's face is now animated in CG allowing more _expression of emotions yet his movements remain the same. Also two deleted scenes featuring Yoda instructing Luke have been restored.

08. A new scene was shot in which the stormtroopers, after they capture Han, Leia and Chewie, bring Vader the box containing C-3PO in pieces. Vader orders the stormtroopers to bring the broken droid to Chewbacca's cell so that he can fix him.

09. The lightsaber effects have been redone in certain parts.

10. Luke's fall from Cloud City has been reshot against bluescreen using a stuntman.

 

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

 

01. Jabba the Hutt is now a combination of the puppet and CG.

02. The Rancor is CG and looks disgusting as ever.

03. Yoda is CG. Yoda disappears leaving his clothes behind like Obi-Wan now.

04. The ewoks are now mostly CG and there are a lot more of them.

05. The plan is to insert the love theme Across the Stars when Luke is talking with Leia about their mother.

06. Temuera Morrison's like before is now the voice for Boba Fett and all the stormtroopers.

07. In the battle of Endor there are thousands of Ewoks and they are more vicious than there midgets-in-suits counterparts. More bite the dust now.

08. White boxes around ships removed.

09. The black blotches around Palpatine's face are gone.

10. Some of the lightsaber effects have been redone. The shadows that the lightsabers made on the floor are gone.

11. During Anakin's death scene it starts with a sad rendition of the Imperial March and slowly evolves into Anakin's Theme.

12. Sebastion Shaw who played Anakin when he was unmasked has been replaced with Hayden Christenson in make-up to make him look older. Anakin has much more dialogue. He apologizes for the destruction he caused, he thanks his son for turning him back to the light, he tells his son to rebuild the Jedi and he says he loves him and his sister. Just before he dies he says, "It is finished...".

13. We see more planets celebrating at the end of the movie. We see an aged Jar Jar, who is now the leader of the Gungans, on Naboo celebrating with the people of Naboo and the Gungans. We see an old Watto, who is now unable to fly, sitting in a hover chair cheering on Tatooine. During these scenes Across the Stars plays transitioning to the victory celebration music at the Ewok tree village.

14. Anakin's spirit is now played by Hayden Christenson with make-up to make him look his age. He looks on proudly at his son Luke with the spirit of Padme by his side

 

As most of the people there pointed out, a lot of this stuff kills the effect that plot twists in the original trilogy had. I'm about 50/50 on these supposed changes.