For decades, hardcore Star Wars fans have been crying out to see the original cuts of the first trilogy. A trio of movies that have been tweaked, cut and edited more than is necessary. To mark the 40th anniversary of the inaugural title in the series with Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, speculation had built up that the unfiltered editions of that movie alongside The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi minus the CGI and extras would hit Blu-Ray shelves and download options in 2017.
The three films made their opening in 1977, 1980 and 1983 respectively. And now George Lucas no longer has control of the beloved fantasy action adventure franchise, there is little getting in the way of the studio going ahead with the retro cut of the flicks. That way the audience can sit back without having to witness Hayden Christensen's ghost in Episode VI, the extended dance number performed at Jabba's Palace or a litany of inserted visual effects that have no place being there.
On Again, Off Again - Will We Get Any Answers?
The rumors tend to surface, go into hiding, and resurface almost on an annual basis. But the folks at Making Star Wars argued this week that there was smoke with the fire. What makes the situation more puzzling was the fact that Walmart actually provided a limited edition release of the original cuts to DVD just after the turn of the Century. A marketing ploy that would pay off 1000 times over should the demand be any guide.
Alas, The Digital Bits fires back. Explaining that there is little substance to the claims that the unedited copies will be making their way into your living room in 2017. The publication states that no party from Disney has taken the appropriate steps of creating a new 4K restoration of the trilogy and with that, it seems any move would be some time off.
Rogue One Given No Oscars Love
Despite their universal popularity and engaging storytelling, the franchise struggles to gain any traction at the Academy Awards. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was up for two prizes courtesy of visual effects and sound mixing, but lost out on both counts as they endure a 33-year drought at the Oscars.
Chris Taylor of Mashable puts the snub into perspective, arguing that a DC flop can score a huge award while they go another season without recognition.
"If you're a farm boy just in from Tatooine, you might look at the list of winners and conclude that Suicide Squad was a greater success than Rogue One — a billion-dollar international box office hit that has garnered more critical acclaim than almost any other in the Star Wars franchise... Why the ongoing shutout? It isn't that the Academy doesn't like science fiction; witness the eight nominations and one statue for Arrival. Oscar evidently doesn't hate franchises (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them won costume design) or comic book movies (hello Suicide Squad). No, it seems to simply be a streak of bad luck: Star Wars movies tend to get nominated in categories where they have strong competition."
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