Looking at Box Office Mojo, it made just under $50 million in the U.S. and just over $50 million around the rest of the world. If I remember correctly, the cost of the 3-D conversion is said to be about $12 million and even with advertising costs, etc., the release had to be profitable...
I think the lack of originals is simply to due to Lucas feeling that they're incomplete and not some really long term plan to re-sell the movies. While it would most likely be profitable (even with the large amount required to restore the movie), I don't see profit being enough of a driving...
Since they never corrected the much more glaring errors on the DVDs and the only release of the OOT on DVD was from a 1993 laserdisc master, my guess would be never. While downloading is still years away, I think this is the last time that Star Wars is going to be released on a physical format...
From what I've seen of the set, I agree with Matt's reviews of AV quality. I don't want to come off like I am taking a shot at him but his synopses of movies that every reader has seen and already has a very definite opinion on are much longer than what he wrote about the video and audio quality...
In all fairness though, isn't that the point of this board? Based on what I've seen of the set, I basically agree with Matt's assessment of it but I don't have the same size screen or the same eye for flaws that some folks here have. Maybe if I did, I'd see some of what Malcolm is talking about.
I don't think John is mad at you. I think he's trying to point out that you're acting like you're winning when there's no contest. Frankly, this review just backs up what most of the other reviews have said- the video is decent enough but could have been better and the audio & special features...