One and Only Star Wars Trilogy: Collector's Giftset DVD Announcement Discussion
02-10-04, 12:25 AM
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From HollywoodReporter.com....
Sept. DVD bow for 'Star Wars Trilogy'
"Star Wars Trilogy," one of the most-requested DVD episodic film franchises, is expected to be released as a four-disc DVD box set Sept. 21, with a global rollout on DVD 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 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. "With that in mind, we designed our release strategy to pick the best release date that had the most gentle sales curve decline on home video, and that's how we got to the September release date."
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 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 by THX 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 collector's DVD box sets and sell individual titles after the first month out on store shelves.
Sept. DVD bow for 'Star Wars Trilogy'
"Star Wars Trilogy," one of the most-requested DVD episodic film franchises, is expected to be released as a four-disc DVD box set Sept. 21, with a global rollout on DVD 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 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. "With that in mind, we designed our release strategy to pick the best release date that had the most gentle sales curve decline on home video, and that's how we got to the September release date."
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 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 by THX 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 collector's DVD box sets and sell individual titles after the first month out on store shelves.
02-10-04, 12:33 AM
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'Star Wars' makes jump to disc hyperspace
From Variety:
Force finally is with DVD
'Star Wars' makes jump to disc hyperspace
By SCOTT HETTRICK
The last big franchise holdouts are finally making their DVD bows Sept. 21, when Lucasfilm and Fox release the original "Star Wars Trilogy."
"The timing is right since there is tremendous pent-up demand and DVD is now in more than 50 million households," Fox Video president Mike Dunn said.
The four-disc set is being timed to begin rebuilding interest in the "Star Wars" series in advance of next year's theatrical release of "Star Wars: Episode III."
Jim Ward, Lucasfilm VP of marketing and distribution and exec producer of the DVD, would not comment on what kind of sneak peeks or promotional tie-in for the theatrical release of "Episode III" may accompany the DVD set.
Similar to the "Indiana Jones" set introduced last year by Paramount, the digitally restored and remastered "Star Wars" movies will be sold only as a complete four-disc set. Special-edition versions of each movie will be featured on separate discs: "Star Wars: Episode IV-- A New Hope," "Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back" and "Episode VI -- Return of the Jedi." Fourth disc is reserved for bonus features including never-before-seen footage from the making of each film.
Pricing and bonus features are being worked out, but Ward said the collection probably will be priced about $50 (similar to the "Indiana Jones" collection), and each film will include an audio commentary by a collection of cast and crew, including George Lucas.
"Star Wars" is the biggest homevideo franchise in the world, with more than 115 million copies sold worldwide on cassette, according to Fox. The videocassette versions of the first three films, released separately and together in various incarnations from the 1980s through '97, sold more than 70 million copies worldwide.
Ward said Lucasfilm wants to refresh the memories of previous fans and introduce new ones to the story of the movies that will be directly set up by the conclusion of "Episode III."
Previous laserdisc and videocassette editions and TV programs included behind-the-scenes material, but Ward said it has yet to be determined how much of that will be repurposed on these discs. The original versions of the movies will not be included.
Force finally is with DVD
'Star Wars' makes jump to disc hyperspace
By SCOTT HETTRICK
The last big franchise holdouts are finally making their DVD bows Sept. 21, when Lucasfilm and Fox release the original "Star Wars Trilogy."
"The timing is right since there is tremendous pent-up demand and DVD is now in more than 50 million households," Fox Video president Mike Dunn said.
The four-disc set is being timed to begin rebuilding interest in the "Star Wars" series in advance of next year's theatrical release of "Star Wars: Episode III."
Jim Ward, Lucasfilm VP of marketing and distribution and exec producer of the DVD, would not comment on what kind of sneak peeks or promotional tie-in for the theatrical release of "Episode III" may accompany the DVD set.
Similar to the "Indiana Jones" set introduced last year by Paramount, the digitally restored and remastered "Star Wars" movies will be sold only as a complete four-disc set. Special-edition versions of each movie will be featured on separate discs: "Star Wars: Episode IV-- A New Hope," "Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back" and "Episode VI -- Return of the Jedi." Fourth disc is reserved for bonus features including never-before-seen footage from the making of each film.
Pricing and bonus features are being worked out, but Ward said the collection probably will be priced about $50 (similar to the "Indiana Jones" collection), and each film will include an audio commentary by a collection of cast and crew, including George Lucas.
"Star Wars" is the biggest homevideo franchise in the world, with more than 115 million copies sold worldwide on cassette, according to Fox. The videocassette versions of the first three films, released separately and together in various incarnations from the 1980s through '97, sold more than 70 million copies worldwide.
Ward said Lucasfilm wants to refresh the memories of previous fans and introduce new ones to the story of the movies that will be directly set up by the conclusion of "Episode III."
Previous laserdisc and videocassette editions and TV programs included behind-the-scenes material, but Ward said it has yet to be determined how much of that will be repurposed on these discs. The original versions of the movies will not be included.
02-10-04, 12:37 AM
#54
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I wish Lucas had waited and done the two disc thing like he's been doing with the prequels. I'll let my girlfriend buy this in hopes a better version comes out for myself.
02-10-04, 12:37 AM
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Here's what we learned:
1) No fixed price yet
2) Bonus features are being worked out
3) 4 Disc Set
4) Commentaries included
5) Special Editions not Originals
6) Fourth disc will contain a brand-new two-hour documentaryabout the "Star Wars" franchise and never-before-seen footage.
1) No fixed price yet
2) Bonus features are being worked out
3) 4 Disc Set
4) Commentaries included
5) Special Editions not Originals
6) Fourth disc will contain a brand-new two-hour documentaryabout the "Star Wars" franchise and never-before-seen footage.
Last edited by Wannabe; 02-10-04 at 12:50 AM.
02-10-04, 12:48 AM
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A part of me has lost a great deal of interest in the Star Wars franchise over the last 5 years or so. And let me tell you, I was a HUGE fan as a kid. It may be in part the shitty SEs, or maybe the shitty prequels, but something has definitely dampened my interest in these movies. Hell, maybe I'm just outgrowing them, as sad as that is.
But as for buying this set, I'm still on the fence. If the originals were included it would be a sure thing, but since Lucas made the decision he did, I just don't know.
But as for buying this set, I'm still on the fence. If the originals were included it would be a sure thing, but since Lucas made the decision he did, I just don't know.
02-10-04, 12:55 AM
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Not a democracy
Lucas says screw you to the old fans according to the New York Post:
The DVDs will include the much-debated versions director Lucas released in the '90s with new digital effects and plot twists that softened the character of Han Solo - even though DVD makes it easy to offer both the original and director's cut of a movie.
It's simply a matter of an artist's right, says Jim Ward, a Lucasfilm vice president and the executive producer of the set.
"We realize there's a lot of debate out there," says Ward. "But this is not a democracy. We love our fans, but this is about art and filmmaking. [George] has decided that the sole version he wants available is this one."
The DVDs will include the much-debated versions director Lucas released in the '90s with new digital effects and plot twists that softened the character of Han Solo - even though DVD makes it easy to offer both the original and director's cut of a movie.
It's simply a matter of an artist's right, says Jim Ward, a Lucasfilm vice president and the executive producer of the set.
"We realize there's a lot of debate out there," says Ward. "But this is not a democracy. We love our fans, but this is about art and filmmaking. [George] has decided that the sole version he wants available is this one."
02-10-04, 12:56 AM
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Pity that they're not doing the 2-disc sets. Not because of any misguided notion that we're not getting enough bonus material or anything. But mostly for consistancy sake. I'd like 4-6 to match up with 1-3.
Oh well, they'll still get my money.
Oh well, they'll still get my money.
02-10-04, 01:05 AM
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Originally posted by scroll2b
I'm sorry, but these films bore me. I'm sure the extras, if any, will be worth watching though.
I'm sorry, but these films bore me. I'm sure the extras, if any, will be worth watching though.
02-10-04, 01:05 AM
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Originally posted by El-Kabong
Pity that they're not doing the 2-disc sets. Not because of any misguided notion that we're not getting enough bonus material or anything. But mostly for consistancy sake. I'd like 4-6 to match up with 1-3.
Oh well, they'll still get my money.
Pity that they're not doing the 2-disc sets. Not because of any misguided notion that we're not getting enough bonus material or anything. But mostly for consistancy sake. I'd like 4-6 to match up with 1-3.
Oh well, they'll still get my money.
"Fans have an insatiable appetite for anything Star Wars. That's why Lucas can charge people to view the "Premium" section of his Star Wars website. Alien Quadrilogy raised the bar for the gold standard of box sets, anything less for Star Wars will be a disappointment. Lucasfilm has a huge archive of behind-the-scenes material, but I'll wager we won't see very much of it in the 2004 release. He'll hold back because he's greedy."
He knows that he'll sell 50 million copies of this worldwide by xmas 2004, with the intention of releasing another version in a couple of years. His contempt for the fans is appalling.
02-10-04, 01:36 AM
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Originally posted by Wannabe
His contempt for the fans is appalling.
His contempt for the fans is appalling.
"Oh no," Everyone said. "We'll be happy to buy a bare bones copy NOW and double dip again in 2006 when the revised editions come out Just give us the movies NOW!"
Well, we're getting the movies now with the promise of getting a super duper boxed set later in 2006. Of course what does this prompt the fans into saying?
"That greedy bastard! How *DARE* he make us buy the movies again! Luca$ burn in HELL!"
He cant win. Either he doesnt release Star Wars now and takes heat, or he releases them now and takes heat. Damned if he does, damned if he doesnt.
(And ya'll better thank the Force that I'm not running the show at Lucasranch. I'd be giving all the fanboys the finger and saying 'you'll wait until 2006 and LIKE IT!')
02-10-04, 01:50 AM
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Hmm... I read p.1 / 3, skipped 2nd page... as far as I can tell, there is no fool-screen edition mentioned. If this is true, then THUMBS WAY THE HECK UP!!!!!!
That said, I haven't seen all the films since I was 8 or 9, and they didn't make much of an impression on me. I did see one of the sequels when it was in the theaters in '97, but didn't really enjoy it either.
So this is a maybe buy if/when I can get them cheap... but still, if he actually releases them in WS only, then SEs or no SEs, more power to him!
That said, I haven't seen all the films since I was 8 or 9, and they didn't make much of an impression on me. I did see one of the sequels when it was in the theaters in '97, but didn't really enjoy it either.
So this is a maybe buy if/when I can get them cheap... but still, if he actually releases them in WS only, then SEs or no SEs, more power to him!
02-10-04, 02:21 AM
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Originally posted by El-Kabong
the two-faced hyprocacy of his fans never ceases to amaze me.
"Oh no," Everyone said. "We'll be happy to buy a bare bones copy NOW and double dip again in 2006 when the revised editions come out Just give us the movies NOW!"
Well, we're getting the movies now with the promise of getting a super duper boxed set later in 2006. Of course what does this prompt the fans into saying?
"That greedy bastard! How *DARE* he make us buy the movies again! Luca$ burn in HELL!"
He cant win. Either he doesnt release Star Wars now and takes heat, or he releases them now and takes heat. Damned if he does, damned if he doesnt.
(And ya'll better thank the Force that I'm not running the show at Lucasranch. I'd be giving all the fanboys the finger and saying 'you'll wait until 2006 and LIKE IT!')
the two-faced hyprocacy of his fans never ceases to amaze me.
"Oh no," Everyone said. "We'll be happy to buy a bare bones copy NOW and double dip again in 2006 when the revised editions come out Just give us the movies NOW!"
Well, we're getting the movies now with the promise of getting a super duper boxed set later in 2006. Of course what does this prompt the fans into saying?
"That greedy bastard! How *DARE* he make us buy the movies again! Luca$ burn in HELL!"
He cant win. Either he doesnt release Star Wars now and takes heat, or he releases them now and takes heat. Damned if he does, damned if he doesnt.
(And ya'll better thank the Force that I'm not running the show at Lucasranch. I'd be giving all the fanboys the finger and saying 'you'll wait until 2006 and LIKE IT!')
From what I can see, all Lucas cares about in this matter is money. He kept saying all along how he wanted to do the DVD's right, with lots and lots of special features, two disc set for every film ect. And after he released Indy, and understood that we are all spineless pawns who just can't say no, even if it means bowing to mediocrity. He then decided he was SO happy with the sales slip, that he has now decided to "grace" his fans with the truly great "privelage" of owning inferior versions of his films with a ho-hum amount of extras.
Piss on him.
Last edited by planet_jake; 02-10-04 at 02:28 AM.
02-10-04, 02:26 AM
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Originally posted by planet_jake
Who said they wanted the films sooner at the expense of special features and multiple versions of the film?
Who said they wanted the films sooner at the expense of special features and multiple versions of the film?
These will be the same people who now claim that Luca$ is a lieing greedy bastard who is only out to screw as much money out of his fans as he can. Just watch - history will prove me right.
02-10-04, 02:33 AM
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I can't wait for the proper laser equipment to come out so we can make our own pristine "dual-layer asparagus cans" instead of this SE garbage that Lucas is forcibly skull-raping down our throats.
02-10-04, 02:34 AM
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So when was the last "original" edition of the trilogy released?
I do have the laserdiscs somewhere. But were there other VHS releases before the special editions came out?
I didn't realize there would be a mega release after all movies are said and done. Is this definite?
I do have the laserdiscs somewhere. But were there other VHS releases before the special editions came out?
I didn't realize there would be a mega release after all movies are said and done. Is this definite?
02-10-04, 02:52 AM
#71
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Originally posted by Kal Jedi
They just can't stay away can they. They just can't.
They just can't stay away can they. They just can't.
Come Sept 21 these DVDs are mine
sure the 1977, 1980, & 1983 orginal versions would be nice but the SEs are actually very good, if Spoiler:
02-10-04, 02:59 AM
#73
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Glad it's official, but I'd rather watch the Special Editions, unnecessary tweaks and all, over the prequels (at least the first two films as of this writing) any day.
IMO, tho, this set shouldn't be referred to as the "classic trilogy" unless it is in its original, unaltered form.
IMO, tho, this set shouldn't be referred to as the "classic trilogy" unless it is in its original, unaltered form.
02-10-04, 03:08 AM
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I'm definitely picking this up, even for nostalgia's sake (of the mid-90's). 
Of course, this'll all be moot when the eventual 6-movie box set gets released in 2010.
Of course, this'll all be moot when the eventual 6-movie box set gets released in 2010.
02-10-04, 03:15 AM
#75
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As I have the laserdiscs of both versions of the trilogy, I will hold off on this until after Episode III. I have a feeling the next release won't be so long after this, and it will be significantly better in terms of extras. I'm not holding out for the original trilogy, I just think this is the basic DVD release and that Lucas will up the ante in time.