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This release pretty much seals that the theatrical editions aren't coming out this year - such a shame. I suppose they could still announce a separate release with only the theatricals, but that doesn't seem the smartest way to release them. So now the credible options are: same time as Force...

If it's not announced at D23 in mid-August, it's hard to imagine it coming out this year. Unless they don't want to make a big song and dance of it out of respect for Lucas, and will announce it in more low-key fashion without an event. If they're going to do it though, it's for goodwill as...

Neil, can you point to any online coverage of these errors? Apart from one Amazon review that's far from exhaustive, I haven't been able to find anything. I have a copy at the moment and it's been very readable and enjoyable so far, but given its length I certainly don't want to waste my time if...

Seeing it laid out so logically like this, it makes me wonder why there's been so much debate about the viability of restoring the original films from the negative. It's not only good policy, but we have pretty good evidence that they did that, as you say. And given restoring films from the...

I agree. In that context, it doesn't seem plausible that restoring the originals would be an insurmountable task, especially not for Lucasfilm with their resources if they choose to do it. I've often thought of the TNG example as a rationale for why it will surely be done. But there has been...

Indeed. It would be a huge project if Lucasfilm has been as reckless as some speculate, having to reassemble theatrical edition negatives from the modified o-neg and neglected offcuts that are still in the bad state they were at the start of the 1997 restoration process. But surely Lucasfilm...

That's certainly possible. They could have been working on it in secret for a while though (tying into the 4K clip and resume item that did the rounds a while back), as they've had since late 2012 to take action. And if they use an interpositive rather than going back to the negative, presumably...

If any guests alluded to it at all, it would tip Lucasfilm's hand for no good reason. The proper announcement would generate all the excitement it needs to for those who want the OOT. And was there even any fan Q&A at the main panels with Kathleen Kennedy? I don't recall hearing of any. That may...

Wow, really? This goes against previous intel via The Hollywood Reporter and perhaps elsewhere that Fox had distribution rights to Empire and Jedi until 2020, as presumably the fact they have distribution rights to ANH in perpetuity is the reason the fanfare is still on that film. I assume the...

Believe me, I have no interest in going over the same old ground. Nothing new has been revealed, and so there is indeed, as you seem to be implying, nothing more to discuss. It was just a brief contemplation of what the corporate strategy might be and, given the timeframes mooted, to reinforce...

Oh wow. OK, yeah, if they're doing it, that's where they'll announce it. They'll want to do it on stage, not just over the internet, as Lucas did the original Blu-rays, and that's the place to do it. That room would explode with frenzied glee.

Yeah, the only new aspect, I believe, is the reference to the poor quality of the negatives, but that issue's been discussed ad nauseum in forums like this and so doesn't give the rumor any additional credibility. If a re-release were to happen, I could see it being the big May 4th news - which...

On the face of it, that seems remarkably self-destructive: trapping the film in a lower-resolution. I can't say I'd be shocked given Lucas's determination for his changes to supplant the original film, but would they not have created a backup of the OCN before they started cutting it up, perhaps...

Travis: I definitely agree they would constitute a change. I was looking at it from a business standpoint in that Disney could bring back the theatricals in a manner that isn't distracting for the majority of viewers, including those new ones finally getting to watch them for the first time -...

I agree that the original trilogy is somewhat harder work for younger audiences, and have heard similar complaints myself. But if the original trilogy was no longer relevant to new audiences and should basically be put out to pasture, why would Lucasfilm have continued to spend money creating a...

Star Trek and Star Wars are very different situations. All the Star Wars films have been monster hits. The pre-Abrams Star Trek ones were only ever modest hits at best with budgets that reflected that. The reason Paramount took the approach they did with Star Trek 09 was to try to finally make...

True, but he's also emphasising how dedicated Disney is to restoration and that they will want to look after their new crown jewel. I think it's entirely likely that your scenario will play out, but I also believe that an unusual degree of care and investment may go into how the classic films...

Ah, I hadn't considered that the effects might have been overbuilt for higher resolution so they could later be re-rendered. I can see how, in that case, it wouldn't be a gigantic amount of work to scan the 97 SE-conformed negative again and then incorporate re-rendered effects. It still seems...

But isn't that the catch? Won't they have to take the movies completely apart to create suitable 4K versions anyway, given the need to upscale so many shots? Or is that what you mean and you just don't think they'll go further and find the missing trims? This feels like the crux of the matter to...

I just meant that if they stick with the 2011 Blu-ray transfer for the next set and add a 2K scan of the theatricals, the bonus version would be better quality than the main one because the 2011 versions were only mastered in 1080p (if the reports are true). However, I don’t understand how...

Yeah, the sheer difficulty and complexity of bringing the 2011 SE - the primary version - to a higher resolution is what may dismantle the prospect of bringing any version to a higher resolution. If they determine that it's only viable to upconvert the 2011 version, why would they go back to...

Oh, I agree. They would be promoted loudly and vigorously. They would be a key feature of the set and Disney will want the world to know that they're changing course in how the original trilogy and Star Wars itself is presented to the public and for posterity. The theatricals would be one of two...

I appreciate Kevin's caution - it's a good reminder not to get too wrapped up in the apparent logic of a move like this and remember that bureaucratic decisions or obligations could prevent it happening. As a result, I've tempered my belief that it's inevitable. That said, I think the sticking...

Ah yes, I'm recalling Bill Hunt's May piece on this issue (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/051914_0010), which cites RAH on the issue and may be drawing on his 2006 comments (http://web.archive.org/web/20060519161043/http://digitalbits.com/#mytwocents), which I read...

Wasn't Wielage saying that preparing the special editions for 4K would cost $20 million due to re-compositing and re-rendering the effects, rather than the theatrical cuts? Maybe I'm misunderstanding your response. If he's right - and it's certainly correct that creating a true 4K version of...