Okay I just read something rather interesting regarding the Star Wars Saga for Blu-Ray on The Digital Bits.

Glad to know it's going to be here, eventually but in a few years? I wonder why the long wait.


Star-Wars-Examiner

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Question: Is there any talk whatsoever, and I'm not even going to ask for a date because I know that's ridiculous, but is there any talk about the Star Wars movies on a high definition format?

Steve Sansweet: Yeah. I mean obviously we've been looking at that for a couple of years and I think one of the questions is when is the market penetration there and these days, will there be a market penetration before everything goes streaming? But we've been looking at an ultimate box set of the Star Wars movies, all six of the movies.

And what special features would be. And clearly these days, if you did an ultimate box set and didn't do it in HD, Blu-ray, it just wouldn't make any sense. So now it's a matter of thinking okay, we've been thinking about this for a while, we know what kind of assets we want to use, we've done some work in cleaning up things, it's really a matter of making that decision of when's the best time to release it.

Do you wait and have an event because you're working off of the fact that there's going to be a new live action TV series?

All those things are very much in motion. I can say with pretty good confidence that at some point in the next several years there will be a complete set of Star Wars movies and lots of extras and deleted footage and anything anyone could want. Although I say that with some trepidation now because our fans want everything, "Why the Holiday Special wasn't on there, you ruined my life!"

But in the next few years there will be an ultimate box set and certainly a Blu-ray set.


Question: That leads into my next question. Over the years, there have been a lot of making of documentaries. In my day job, actually, I'm a documentary filmmaker and the Star Wars behind the scenes documentaries are what prompted a lot of that, like From Star Wars to Jedi and The Making of Star Wars and I've got all my old VHS copies sitting around.

Are we going to see any digital releases of those either on DVD or Blu-ray? Is that even in the cards?

Steve Sansweet: I hope so. Because I agree with you. Those have not been seen by the current generation of Star Wars fans and I think they hold up well for having been done at a certain time and certainly they are on the list for assets to be considered for an ultimate box set.

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I hope it's not going to be a crappy and overpriced as the Young Indiana Jones DVDs were.

The OT set didn't have sufficient supplemental material.

It was an embarrassing disc anchored by a documentary that, while fairly well-done in its coverage of the FIRST movie, seemed to be more of a cross-promotion for the DVD set and Revenge of the Sith outside of that 45 mins. or whatever that was devoted to the original movie. It had already been shown on television so I didn't really feel like watching it on DVD. Empire and Jedi were neglected and the ending was an infomercial.

The rest of the disc was old interviews, interviews with other filmmakers that I didn't care about and nothing we really hadn't seen before. While the PT discs had all these crappy cut scenes I would never have wanted, the OT set really had nothing aside from some footage in the documentary. Any additional footage from ILM would be remarkable. I certainly would mind old programs like From Star Wars to Jedi and hell, how about a look at the development of the Kenner toys?

Also, beautiful, restored anamorphic prints of the original versions with alternate sound mixes.

I haven't yet invested in a Blu-ray player, mostly because I'm stubborn and bought an HD-DVD player only to see that format extinguished in short order. Not to mention, I think Blu-ray is a stop-gap that will be replaced soon by some direct downloadable format.

That said, assuming I conform (i.e. have enough money to spend on whatever I choose) and shell out for Blu-ray, I'd like to see a 12-disc Ultimate Collector's Set that gives me everything I would ever want and need Star Wars. Being that Star Wars is a product of Lucasfilm Ltd, I don't think there's a chance in hell this set will be handled with anything resembling the kind of expert craftsmanship we so desire.

It'll be slightly above average content with good polish, but it'll annoy hardcore fans more than enchant them. That's just the MO of the company in charge so they can get you to buy the next uber set (which you would buy anyway even IF the initial offering was tremendous).

This set SHOULD have every documentary special ever created for Star Wars. It should have an insane amount of footage and interviews we haven't seen before. We should get unprecedented access into the film making process. We should get commentaries from every significant contributor to the saga such as Lucas, Kurtz, Williams, Ford, Fisher, Oz, Hamill, and on and on.

I want an actor's commentary, storyteller commentary, FX commentary, music commentary...the fucking works.

Then I want both versions of the OT - both restored in pristine condition. I want a picture in picture comparing both of them. I want a commentary track explaining why things were cut and added and the ability to stop the film so we can go behind the scenes for more Special Edition material. This is something that would take advantage of this format.

Then I want the PT to be re-scored where need be (this will never happen, but I wish). I want the updated digital effects (i.e. Yoda in TPM).

I want the menus all to be so fucking cool that I could sit there and watch them for hours. I want this set to feel fresh - not just a rehash of the DVDs.

If we're lucky we'll get half of this, but more realistically we'll get a quarter of what I think we deserve. It'll be overpriced and there will be at least 4GBs worth of video game, TV and other LFL promotions packed into it to cheapen the quality of the set.

I'll be as turned on as the rest of you when I start seeing pictures of it (that's also something I want - a fucking sexy ass box set with the original posters as the covers; or something creative from the wizards LFL pays millions to work) and leaked information. I don't think that'll be until 2011 at the earliest anyway so I'm not holding my breath.

Considering the time frame for the supposed released, any set will be cross-promoting the TV show(s) and/or video games. I don't doubt that. Even the fucking music DVD that came with the ROTS soundtrack had video game ads.

The commentaries on the DVDs suck (including the ridiculous input by Lucas) with the exception of Kershner in ESB. Why the hell was Carrie Fisher the only one from the cast on there?

Blu-Ray will most likely be around for a long time. I myself purposefully waited to see who won the format war because I knew that one of the formats eventually would. I'm glad I did too...I have bought a PS3 so it has a Blu-Ray player all ready installed. Not only do I get to play games on the PS3 but can watch Blu-Ray movies with that too so I'm good to go.

Yes eventually people will use more of the downloads but don't count on Blu-Ray disappearing for quite a while, if it does.

I think Lucas was right when he alluded to the future being downloading/online content. I currently watch movies recorded in HD on my DVR. This is the future. We'll look back on the current physical formats and miss things like Van Ling animated menus.

Top of the thread has been updated with the actual interview.

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but the SW In Concert behind-the-scenes special/plug currently airing on WGBH has confirmed that this is happening. A part of me thought the footage on the Episode III DVD was test footage for that film or something and not an actual alteration being made to TPM (probably because the Yoda puppet from TPM is itself honestly so iconic at this point). Plus, I didn't really like how the CG Yoda looked in that shot.

But anyway, Lucas apparently went to a rehearsal and saw the footage from TPM with the original puppet and had them change it since he's been replaced. So the guy mentions in the closing minutes that the show features the "world premiere" of the new Yoda in TPM, although they show a shot of the same footage from the Episode III DVD.

I also noticed throughout the show that certain footage (which they touted as being the first HD screening of footage from the SW films) looked color-corrected. Vader in the freezing chamber didn't have a dull pink blade, for example. It figures that they probably correct/re-do all this shit AFTER the movies have already been released and re-released on home video in the supposedly definitive states. Although, in the case of Yoda it's alright because I think I'll still prefer the weird puppet.

If memory serves I think the DVD sets of the OT were a bit rushed since it was reported Lucas wanted to wait to release them. However, because of the supposed demand from the fan base, he caved in and gave the OK to release them on DVD back in 2004.

They've had a lot of time since then to really clean up everything and color correct everything as well. I'm sure we'll see the corrected colored versions on the Blu-Ray releases and the replaced CG version of Yoda in TPM. I have no problems with how Yoda looks in the Prequels (well mostly for AOTC and ROTS), and I'm glad Lucas decided to get the Phantom Menace version replaced.

To me the puppet they used in The Phantom Menace looked absolutely dreadful...it looked like Yoda was on crack or something. It will be nice to have continuity on how he looks in The Phantom Menace compared to AOTC and ROTS.

I just hope with the Blu-Ray sets they re-insert back the original ending for ROTJ with the older Anakin force ghost and not Hayden. If they don't I'm gonna be pissed. As I said too I'm sure the Blu-Ray versions of the OT will be color corrected.

I thought CGI Yoda looked too young or something. Plus he seems to change in appearance between scenes, noticeably in AOTC. Now that I've reviewed it more, TPM puppet seems to have more in common with the old face, even if it is a bit goofily different. The clip they showed on the Episode III DVD of the new CGI version was not impressive at all.

Please tell me you're kidding. ESB is clearly the weakest of the bunch. All Kersh did was recite what was happening onscreen and state the obvious. George's comments are the best thing about all of the various tracks. The only one that I'm not nuts is about is the ROTS commentari, which is so effects heavy. There's only so many times you want to hear "we did that shot with a computer". Participation from Burtt would've been nice.

Nah man, Lucas had me bored to tears most of the time. So did Ben Burtt and the effects guys, except for some rare circumstances such as Rob Coleman admitting to being dissatisfied with their CGI C-3PO that Lucas approved. Kershner actually sounded interesting and brought a smile to my face. The only commentaries I've ever made it through really entertained were ESB and the two Tim Burton Batmans.

I respectfully disagree and say I can't wait until they replace TPM Yoda with CG Yoda.

Recently I saw Empire in HD on television for the first time. It was absolutely tremendous. I'd buy blu-ray just for this set.

Damn I was hoping for some new news. However I have seen Empire in HD as well and it was indeed very stunning

Yeah. Viewing films in HD broadcast like Empire and currently another favorite, Batman Returns, really makes me want to upgrade to Blu-ray. Damn it.

*waves hand in front of your face* You will upgrade to Blu-Ray now.

Those Burton commentary tracks are really something else, I'll agree with you. There's a lot of repeat value in them. Burton isn't the world's most articulate guy but it's nonetheless interesting to hear what he has to say about those films (which, for my money, remain the definitive Batman films to this day).

Yes, exactly! When the Burton commentary for Batman first started up, I didn't think I'd ever be able to make it through. It's just a trip listening to him ramble and stumble through two hours reminiscing about Jack Palance flipping out on set, his response to Nicholson when he asked him why he's climbing the cathedral at the end when the script wasn't even finished, pointing out the ridiculousness of the comic book batcave's giant penny and tyrannosaurus rex.

Burton's commentaries and interviews on those wonderful DVDs (and now Blu-rays) seem to be the only proof that he could still be the same guy today as he was in that kick-ass late-80's/early-90's era when he could seemingly do no wrong. Also, Batman Returns IS the greatest Batman or comic inspired film ever made.

When it comes to the Star Wars commentaries, they just never did it for me. I think part of the problem is that you get all these random comments edited throughout from various people that may not have any relevance to what you're watching or just come completely out of left field.

I honestly could give a shit about most of the stuff Ben Burtt had to say and Lucas just didn't seem enthusiastic and occasionally just makes stupid/confusing points like the Kessel run thing and trying to defend CGI during the Jedi Rocks scene. Kershner's commentary just made me smile. Maybe it's his goofy Muppety voice or the fact that he did just point out a lot of obvious shit. I don't know.

Oh, I should also mention that Star Trek Generations had a pretty damn interesting commentary that I also managed to sit through. Mostly because the writers/filmmakers spend a lot of the time talking about shit they regretted on that movie like the asinine death of Captain Kirk and Picard balling his eyes out to Counselor Troi.

It was amazing how much we agreed with each other on that one. Those Trek DVDs also have some pretty nifty text commentaries. Lucasfilm should get on that as well.

As far as Kersh goes, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. "I knew I had to have ... HUMOR... but I couldn't have GAGS. I knew there had to be ROMANCE ... but I couldn't have a LOT of SMOOCHING and HUGGING and all OF that stUfF." Shit, it's like English is the guy's second language or something.

Some of Burtt's contributions are good ... some not so good. Honestly, I liked the Burtt As Editor remarks moreso than the Burtt As Sound Engineer stuff. Still, listening to the prequel commentaries makes you wonder just how much damage that guy ended up doing with some of the shady cuts, the tracked music, etc.

The Lucas remarks are good as long as we acknowledge beforehand that a lot of his comments revolve mostly around covering his own ass.

I love that man to death, I think he nailed the prequels in large part but that guy seriously needs to drop the "I always knew it was always going to be one big long huge fucking ginormous movie that I always knew that I'd never be able to afford to make and so I always knew that I planned to cut this motherfucker into six parts and it was always going to be subtitled The Always Knew Tragedy of Darth Vader", blah blah blah.

Lucas made it all up as he went along. I'm cool with that, a lot of fans are cool with that and I wish he'd stop bullshitting us already. When he breaks away from that stuff, his comments are actually pretty enjoyable. Don't even get me started on McCallum.

Of 'em all, probably whatshisname Knoll is the best commentator, and that only because he seems to understand that we're not techies ourselves and he takes the time to explain things to a non-VFX guru audience. Much appreciated.

Listening to Burtt's comments, I'd say the damage was considerable. He had no concept of the "big picture" and was forever biased in favor of his specialty of sound effects. That he was allowed to give Williams' contributions a lesser priority over his own editing (sound, video, whatever), remains a fundamental detriment of the PT.

There's absolutely no creative reason why the Battle of Geonosis should feature entirely tracked music. It all has to do with editing, with worrying more about sound and visuals than music. And even Lucas concedes about the OT that the musical experience is at least as important as the visual.

Even TPM got that mostly right (aside from a few troublesome edits in its final battle). But even when TPM stumbled, it was at least using music created for that particular film -- as opposed to using music created for a completely different movie. Shame on Burtt.

This is absolutely true.

I know my prayers will never be answered but I'd love John to re-score the parts of the PT that were butchered by the terrible edits. I'm appalled that the films were released considered the hacked state of the soundtrack. It stunned me when they were released considering the technical standard of quality we were accustomed to from Lucasfilm.

I blame Lucas more than Burtt. The behind the scenes footage from "Within a Minute" showing the guys lounging on the couch viewing the film with Burtt's preliminary sound mix is baffling. You can barely hear the music, yet seemingly the only guy to notice anything wrong is Williams' music editor. Actually, it almost seemed like everyone in that room was just burnt out on the whole thing. I

'm still a bit surprised they even released such footage on the DVD. Also, Mr. Burtt mixed Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the music is astonishingly clear in the sound mix. Admittedly, with that film Burtt couldn't exactly go to town creatively as in the case of the Star Wars films, but I'm fairly certain Spielberg wouldn't have allowed such a disaster as the prequel (and hell, who am I kidding, the current classic trilogy) sound mixes to ever occur to a film under his direction.

Not that I'm kissing Spielberg ass when it comes to that disaster. But we should all know he loves his Johnny Williams music.

Well, you're right that Lucas as director is, ultimately, the one responsible for the final product. And he should have had the objectivity to see through Burtt's very obvious and damaging bias. Still, Burtt's supposed to be a professional, and he ought to be doing what's best for the FILM, and not just his own little pet projects. That he'd put his own craft above that of the film is inexcusable. IMO, of course.

And I would love nothing more than to have Williams re-score, at the very least, the end of AOTC -- if not all of the hacked sequences in TPM and ROTS.

I still don't excuse Burtt or anything. His comment about sound editors only hearing the sound effects while music editors only hear the music is beyond asinine.

I agree everyone except him hears both. Over powering the music with the dialogue/sfx is just wrong in any movie. The music helps makes the movie what it is..gives it emotion and depth. With out that it's a shit fest.

Especially in a Star Wars film, where the music is just about the most important element.

As for Burtt's "professionalism", I'm learning that in life people pull every kind of self-serving bullshit they think they can get away with and only do the right thing when someone sits on them and forces them to do the job properly. Against their will, under protest, at gunpoint and only when all other options have failed.

Anything short of asshole dictator type management for most people is asking for trouble. And I'm finding this to be true of most people in most industries.

Especially with all of the cues. One movie that seemed to get this perfect was The Fountain. There are certain scenes that still blow me away because of how the music carried the plot along.

Spot on. The music editing is a travesty, esp. in Ep 2 and 3. There are very obvious points in both movies where the sound takes priority and it's annoying as hell. The battle on the GG's ship in the beginning of Ep .3 is a prime example. No music, no drama, just that fukin' sound of GG guards' swords.

BTW, where the hell are the SW Blu-rays? Still, SW in high def (esp. the PT) looks like shit. Why? Well I have the HBO High Def mkvs and the CGI shit looks ridiculous. It sticks out like a horrible sore thumb. Even on DVD you can see it. It looks so out of place. Special effects today don't look superimposed on to the image like they do in the PT. On 2nd thought maybe we are better off without the BRD's.

I've viewed Revenge of the Sith in HD and an effects-heavy scene such as Obi-Wan amid a plethora of artificial shit on the sinkhole world looked like just that. It was a damn cartoon. Surprisingly the matte work was pretty horrible and didn't stand up to the scrutiny of a mid-size TV and HD broadcast. The originals on Spike TV and formerly HBO look completely better. To say nothing of the quality of the prequels as films.

Yeah that part on Utapu (or whatever) when Cody gives Obi-Wan his lightsaber back in Ep. 3, that shit looks so laughably bad, they should have just made it like a Pixar film, would have looked BETTER.

What parts of Utapau are you referring to exactly, seeing as how most of it was scale models?

For the most part it is the poor compositing rather than the practical or 3D work.

Read my post directly above yours.

Until the very last sentence of this post, I don't think anything sums up Star Wars fandom in the past 10 years as well as this post.

Y'know, I'd actually be okay with that if that's all it was. A lot of lightsaber sequences in the OT didn't have music either. But after that scene wraps up, we get a quick taste of what I think is ROTS/GG music and then the ship crash sequence begins and from there it's all tracked music from TPM for at least three or four minutes.

Since we're kind of on the subject of effects, am I the only one who thinks the CGI was incorporated into each sequence in TPM better than the other two? Maybe the film grain helps but it looked like Jar Jar really was standing in there getting his hand buzzed by that fucker between Anakin's engines. The effects looked blended into each scene so much better (in the theatrical cut anyway).

You're not wrong: TPM's visuals are tremendous. Not only do they hold up well, but I think its use of miniatures mirrors the look of the OT more than AOTC or ROTS.

AOTC and ROTS got a bit cartoony but there's tons of great stuff there too.

Pretty much everything was pulled off better in TPM. You can quote me on that.

Maybe that's why I enjoy that movie so much more than the other two. For all the criticism leveled at the convolution of the plot and at the silliness of certain characters, TPM is the only one of the prequel trilogy movies I can enjoy the same way I enjoy the originals. I have a hard time giving all the credit to visual direction, but there is - to me - definitely an intangible "something" that makes TPM "feel" like Star Wars.