Ok, we all know that ILM's animators were given as a warm up exercise for Episode 3 the task of replacing the Yoda puppet in Episode 1 with a digital version, according to the Making of Revenge of the Sith book.

And we all know how Geroge Lucas is fond of calling the lastest version of any of the films the "definitive" version and is not keen for "older" versions of the films to be screened or sold. So, my question is, when the whole saga is screened in London early next week, will the audience be treated to their first sight of a digital Yoda in Episode 1? Or will we have to wait until the next DVD release of the film (possibly in 2007)?

Thoughts? Anyone?

Not exactly sure if this belongs in this forum. Maybe the PT would be better?

EDIT

And i had no idea that Lucas had them doing that as a warm up task. Interesting.....

Apologies. I meant to put this in the PT forum. Mods, do your worst.

2007 is far too long a wait to be rid of that green plastic mass.

Wow. I think that's one of the longest sentences I've read in years.

The digital yoda in Episode one warmup was just that longshot of Yoda talking to Obiwan after QuiGon dies. That was the warmup to see if it would be believable. Lucas liked it and went ahead with his plans for EP ii

The Ep1 digital shot was indeed a test for Ep. 2, but that's not what the original post was referring to.

In the Making of Episode 3 book, ILM was given the task of replacing the Ep. 1 puppet Yoda (used everywhere else except the scene you mention above) with a 100% digital Yoda, as a warmup prior to starting the Ep 3 Yoda work.

I doubt it too, but it if the new Yoda is seen there, it'll be reason enough to see the 6 episodes if they come around elsewhere.

Thank you Reecoh. I was about to answer that.

Great avatar by the way.

7 days people!!!

Ep I Yoda was indeed animated all the way through.. (There were actually 2 shots of Yoda digital in the original theatrical TPM).. but that's Rob Coleman's crew doing the animation.. that doesn't mean the animation they did has been rendered and shaded and dropped into the scenes, which would be quite a lot of work under the best of circumstances and even more so in shots that weren't designed or filmed with a digital character in mind.. meaning, I'd imagine they don't have as much reference material for lighting and such on those shots as they'd probably like.. I'm sure that Yoda will be replaced by the 6-disk set, but I think it's really unlikely that they did that amount of work on TPM during their Episode III schedule, so I seriously doubt the new Yoda will be ready to go by the saga screening next week..

Live Journal account, razor blades, Linkin Park, and you´re all set.

Isn't Yoda digital in the establishing shot of Qui-Gon's funeral? He looks it.

I'm a full supporter of the old school, plastic muppet world of film FX, but even I took one look at that green 'thing' and shook my ding-a-ling at the screen. 'Horrible mutant of a puppet, yoda was', I just had to sing.

But my fear remains that if Episode I yoda is CGI'd, then our beloved Xwing tossing, green hermit crab of ESB will be next.

The yoda's are fine, they should be left alone.

I think there should be a third thread about the possibility of the TPM Yoda being replaced.

Why not a forum dedicated to just that!

I agree that he looks like shit compaired to the OT yoda, but animationwise I don't think it needs to be replaced by cgi.

Maybe they could do some CG on Yodas ears in ESB.
He looks very stiff when he is on Lukes back in the training scenes..

Oh no.. I didn´t.. I´ve been around for a while.. but for some reason my registration didn´t go through until today..
Sorry about posting stuff that has already been discussed last fall.

My dad is now 80, whereas 40 years ago he was only 40. His ears don't move like they used to either.

Personally, I think we're gonna be waiting a while for a prequel boxed set similar to the OT. Episode 3 will be out later this year on dvd and then I think things will be quiet for a year or two. Especially with HD-DVD formats on the horizon. Lucas always seems to have to be using the newest and coolest technology.
With the digital Yoda, only time will tell. (Keeping my fingers crossed)