Unedited Version of Original Star Wars Trilogy Unlikely

Who signed the dotted line on that crappy deal? Kinda like buying a car and the seller gets to keep the steering wheel. If ever there was a sure way to make a buck, it would be releasing the original trilogy on Blu-ray without all of Lucas' revisionist crap. Sure, the crappy versions sold well. The originals would sell even more as those who bought the crappy set would buy again and those who held out would dive right in. That sure is some thick red tape that keeps these versions of the movies out of reach.

But who's to say that Fox won't release the original unedited versions now? They may have not done so because Lucas didn't want it, but maybe now that he's out of the picture they might go ahead with it, since there's money to be made in it after all.

As far as I know, it was Lucas and not Fox who insisted that only the special editions could be released from now on. If so, then obviously Lucas had the contractual rights to prevent Fox from distributing the original unedited films without his OK. Given the price tag of the deal, it's probable that all of Lucas's rights, vis a vis Fox, including Lucas's right of refusal, now belong to Disney. Disney has no reason to stand in the way of Fox releasing the originals the way Lucas did. For both Disney and Fox, it's just a question of whether a box set of the restored originals would sell well. I think we know the answer to that.

So the key question is whether Lucas has retained any ability to prevent Fox from releasing the unedited trilogy. If the deal was a clean transfer of all of Lucas's rights in the company and brand to Disney (and for $4B, it certainly should be), then a new release of the original films just requires coordination between Disney and Fox, the same way that it would have required coordination between Lucas and Fox prior to the deal.

Here's hoping...

I'm sure a mountain of paperwork was involved in this deal. Whatever the deal was in regard to releasing the original trilogy, it will certainly make sense to get them underway and release them in time to promote the new trilogy.

The real money in the franchise is in its future movies. I know there is a vocal minority still waiting for a high quality release the unaltered OT, but unfortunately for those fans that represents a very small segmet of the possible money Disney can make off the franchise.

I hardly think it would be the cash cow that some are making it out to be. The six-film boxset that came out last fall was a pretty big seller. Its only the most ardent diehards that refused to buy it because the UOT was not included.

It will be released at some point, but don't expect it prior to the new movies.

They did not get my money for the BR. I still just have the DVD's and VCR tapes of the original movies. I will not buy the BR of the newer versions of the first trilogy.

Nope. Last years BD set release was great, Star Wars never looked better. People in love with the original version can hold onto their DVD's and VCR tapes as they like, its their lost to only cherish the original adaption of the film.

I think one critical thing to also consider is that even if they won't make boat loads of cash by releasing the originals on BR, it should still be profitable, and, perhaps more importantly, it will create good will with the "hardcore" fans (of which I'm sure there are many with Star Wars).

This will in turn give those fans confidence that Disney is handling things well, and they will be more willing to support new initiatives that Disney takes with the Star Wars brand (e.g. the new trilogy).

I specifically did not buy the BR because it is not the originals. Granted, the fact that I had read that the transfer to HD wasnt done very well didnt help the case either. However, lets hope that they do release it to BR in original form as I would really like to see star wars in HD next time I watch it.

cant say this wasn't expected; the bad news is even IF fox wanted to release the original unaltered trilogy Disney might block them because "they own it now ". also is there a 1080p version of the wallpaper in the first post

Does anyone else feel it would be UN-Disney-like to show Han shooting first? Disney has made some good action movies, but they still have that wholesome values air about them that I wonder if because Lucas had Greedo shoot first that Disney would keep it that way.

Disney can't block Fox from releasing Star Wars (1-6) on DVD/BD in any versions. That deal (Fox and Lucasfilm) continues until 2020 except New Hope #4 which Fox owns forever.
Edited by Lee Stewart - 11/1/12 at 2:24pm

It isn't up to Disney - it's up to Fox.

What Disney could do if they wanted to is to show the original cut of Star Wars; New Hope on television. All TV rights for SWs 1-6 are now owned by Disney

When you say Star Wars has never looked better, do you mean the picture and sound quality in general, or the new effects that have been added since 1997? If it's the picture quality, I agree that the picture and sound of that set is stellar, which is why so many of us would like to see the original versions restored with the same care and quality. If it's the new effects and edits, I disagree, but I don't begrudge your preference for the newer effects, so long as you don't begrudge our desire to see the films as the 1977-1983 audiences saw them. To lose a piece of film history like the 1977 cut of Star Wars to obscurity would be everyone's loss.

This is what's so confusing about the deal. We know that Lucas was adamantly opposed to releasing the originals once the SEs were out. The only time the originals appeared after 97 was as a non-anamorphic "special feature" on one of the DVD sets. If Fox was in agreement with Lucas that the originals should be replaced entirely, that changes everything, but I've never heard that Fox (or anyone besides Lucas) was opposed to keeping the originals around alongside the SEs. So this means that Lucas and/or Lucasfilm had some way of preventing Fox from releasing the original versions, and so that right would presumably transfer to Disney.

We may not agree with Lucas's reasons for wanting to suppress the originals, but as the creator/artist, it at least makes logical sense. There's no reason for Fox or Disney to agree with Lucas's reasoning, though, especially if there's money to be made from yet another boxed set. So now that Lucas (presumably) no longer has a say, I don't see why Disney and Fox would be motivated to leave the money (and the goodwill, as Pyronaut pointed out) on the table.

Mark the date: for once, everyone here is rooting for corporate greed and opportunism to prevail!

I would like to see An unedited version of the original Star Wars Trilogy on Blu-Ray but I don't see it happening anytime soon. I don't see why this is such a huge issue it's not that big of a deal the current blu-rays of the saga is good enough. I think a lot make a big issue out of this for nothing.

What is the point of not allowing me to give them my money for an unedited version?

They really aren't.

I just cannot watch the messed around editions. The awful, dated CGI (among other travesties) causes me actual physical pain.

It's as if a classic tune you've heard many times was only available on a 78, while anything better quality was some awful '80s remix.

I actually think there's more chance of seeing the unedited version of A New Hope since it's all Fox has to make money off of. They won't make a ton more releasing the Special Edition. The only way they'll profit is by putting out something new, which would be a Blu-Ray of the original film.

The studio that makes that decision is Fox. Lucas says he is retiring . . . well what if he changes his mind 2 years down the road . . . And Fox released your coveted unedited SWs trilogy on BD. . . which angers Lucas as he never wanted that to happen, so when he chooses a studio to market and release his new film . . . he avoids Fox like the plague.

They will make money releasing all 6 films in 3D on 3D BD.

Instagram goes for nearly $1 billion, but Lucas Films and the entire Star Wars Universe for only $4 billion? Disney got a deal...or Instagram was hugely overpriced.

The picture and sound quality in general of the series. I have the original cuts on DVD still BTW. I look forward to see what foundation of a third Trilogy, George Lucas passed to his successor and how it turns out.

Disney IMO, did get a deal. But there are a lot of caveats within the Lucasfilm deal when it comes to the 6 movies. But they did get the most profitable part right away - the merchandising. And of course to make future Star Wars movies.

If Disney can afford to give 4.05billion to charity, I'm sure they will find a way to make Fox bend over and take one.

If 2020 is when my true Star Wars experience returns, then I shall wait patiently.

Instagram was way overpriced.

You are ignoring the fact that if Lucas has made a deal with Fox on #4 for forever, then you will never see the original 1977 version of Star Wars. All that happens in 2020 is Fox loses both the DVD/BD and Theaterical rights for 1- 6 (but they still own #4). Such rights resort to Disney.

If Geroge Lucas doesn't want anyone to ever see his 1977 version of Star Wars, then no one ever will - not in the theater and not on any new or existing physical media. Only previous media that was released with the 1977 version will be available. If he doesn't want the 1977 version to ever be shown on any television content providers channel, he had the power to do that. . . forever.

The only person who can change that is George Lucas himself. So what has GL said about the 1977 version?
Edited by Lee Stewart - 11/1/12 at 11:12pm