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Original 'Star Wars' Trilogy Headed to DVD... But Not High-Def

Thu May 04, 2006 at 01:56 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Star Wars (all tags) In response to overwhelming fan demand, Lucasfilm announced today it will release the original 'Star Wars' trilogy on standard DVD for a limited time beginning this September; no high-def DVD versions are currently planned.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd, via the StarWars.com official site. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars."

Lucasfilm and Fox Home Entertainment will release "attractively priced, individual two-disc releases" on September 12, 2006, of 'Star Wars,' 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi.' Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered special edition version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. Each release will be available for a very limited time only, scheduled to be taken off the market beginning December 31, 2006.

Given the commitment of George Lucas and Lucasfilm to digital technology and high-definition exhibition in theaters, many fans had been hoping for an announcement of the 'Star Wars' films on one or both of the next-gen DVD formats. It would have undoubtedly proven to be a pivotal show of support for high-definition DVD, as well as a milestone release for the next-gen formats.

However, a Lucasfilm spokesperson confirmed today to High Def Digest that the upcoming original 'Star Wars' trilogy re-release will be standard definition only, and the company has "no current plans" to release the films on high-def DVD. Though today's announcement "does not rule out" a future release of the films on the next-gen formats, the spokesperson said.

Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on any future disturbances in The Force...
Related links:
This September: Original Unaltered Trilogy on DVD [Star Wars Official Site]


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