From The Digital Bits:

There has been speculation for months now that when the Star Wars films are finally released on DVD (on 9/21), the versions we get will feature new scenes, updated effects and other changes from the 1997 Special Edition versions. We've been reporting here at the Bits for some time now that our inside sources were telling us that at least some additional changes were being made to the films for the DVD release. Well... we finally have official confirmation of this. While we don't know anything official about specific changes, Lucasfilm's "fan relations" guru Steve Sansweet had this to say this weekend, while speaking at the WonderCon convention in San Francisco:

When asked if the forthcoming DVDs would feature the original theatrical release versions of the trilogy or the Special Editions, Sansweet answered that the films contained on the discs would be the incarnations of the films "as George Lucas sees them today." He reminded people of the 1995 video release of the trilogy that hailed itself as the last time the original theatrical cuts would ever be available. "They weren't kidding," Sansweet noted.

Without saying we told you so... there you go. Personally, I'm just hoping against hope that Lucas lets Han shoot first again. The rest is trivial compared to that one thing for me. Anyway, thanks to Bits reader Mike S for spotting that.

Back with more soon...

Bill Hunt, Editor
The Digital Bits

Basically it will be a butchered version of a childhood memory that George Lucas could care less about.

The Laser Disc boxed set is the way to go- I am going to get my friend's transfered to DVD.

Of course I will purchase the bastardized version but Lucas is dead in my eyes and has been for a while.

I just don't understand why they can't release both versions. It's a shame that 10/20 years from now kids will never know what the originals were like.

"Unexpected this is. And unfortunate."

- Yoda

Originally posted by Mijada
I just don't understand why they can't release both versions. It's a shame that 10/20 years from now kids will never know what the originals were like.

I agree, Lucas needs to get it through his head that GENERATIONS of Star Wars fans grew up with the original trilogy. Why can't he be like Spielberg with E.T. and SUCK IT UP and release the original versions as well. They may be incomplete to Lucas, but to the movie-going audience, the originals were fine enough as is.

I couldn't care less "how Lucas sees them." They think that just cuz the special editions were a success means that audiences prefer them. Honestly, I only went to see the special editions because I'd never seen Star Wars on the big screen. I could do without the "special" (unnecessary) effects. Anyone else think that stupid scene with Han stepping on Jabba's tail looked ridiculous? Ho-hum. Maybe if we complain loud enough and long enough they'll change their tune. Maybe Lucas films will turn out to be as fickle as Disney.

I saw the episode of everyone's favorite game show "Match Game" where Gene Rayburn asked the contestant to pick "B". But after he chose it, there was the now famous "Star Wars" theme blairing in the background.:eek: He came to Susan Richarson and said "Come with me!" That was funny. I love the "Star Wars" movies and I have the original trilogy on VHS includes "Episode #4: A New Hope", "Episode #5: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Episode #6: The Return of the Jedi" along with the first two chapters "Episode #1: The Phantom Menace" and "Episode #2: Attack of the Clones". I hope the DVD will come out this fall with new butchered scenes never released in theatres since 1977, 1980 and 1983.:) I'm looking forward to that.

Supposedly, this is a screencap from the new edition of Jedi.

Booooooooooo! :thumbsdow

I don't know about that picture. I think that might be a hoax.

Is there a big difference between the 1995 home video releases,and the original CBS/FOX 1977, 1980, and 1983 home video releases?

If you want to get the original versions on home video are the 1995 home videos good enough, or do you have to get the original CBS/FOX home video versions?

Originally posted by tvje
Is there a big difference between the 1995 home video releases,and the original CBS/FOX 1977, 1980, and 1983 home video releases?

If you want to get the original versions on home video are the 1995 home videos good enough, or do you have to get the original CBS/FOX home video versions?

well, the 1995 videos are the best way to go, some people have transferred them to DVD. I think I might get that instead of the normal DVD's, because the bootlegs are supposedly in good quality and are in widescreen.

the 95 edition is the best version you'll ever get of the ORIGINAL movies, before Lucas butchered the versions people loved in the first place

They are his films...and he can do what he wants. It's not like the core film will be affected by an enhanced effect there...Jar-Jar in the background here...

Bring on the DVDs, for I will purchase them! For certain, that purchase is.

I am so glad I have the original trilogy even if it is on VHS.

George Lucas blows.

I hate George Lucas, the man is a total bastard.

It was bad enough the treatment he gave the Indiana Jones DVDs but this is terrible. His head is shoved so far up his butt it'll take a billion light years before anyone can pull it out. UGH.

I don't see what is so wrong with the original three the way they are. Those movies are cinematic masterpieces. Pieces of American History and George Lucas wants to screw them up. That's like someone taking the Wizard of Oz or Gone With The Wind and adding extra parts to it. George, If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Originally posted by ClassicComedyFan2
They are his films...and he can do what he wants.

okay, want a better analogy? When reissuing a few of his early 80's albums and remastering them a few years back, Ozzy Osbourne actually had new band members re-record the tracks (only Ozzy and Randy Rhodes remained from the original masters) and the remastered copies of Diary Of A Madman and Blizzard Of Ozz were actually 2001/2002 re-recordings with ONLY Ozzy's vocal track and Randy Rhodes' guitar carried over from the 1981 sessions. A lot of fans boycotted these remasters because IT WAS NOT THE SAME VERSIONS THEY GREW UP WITH. That is 100% the same reason people hate the way Lucas has butched the Star Wars franchise by doing such things as adding Hayden Christensen to a movie that came out when he was a year old, and the sort.