The original theatrical release ofReturn of the Jedi featuresSebastian Shaw asAnakin Skywalker (above left). The 2004 DVD release replaced his appearance as aForce spirit withHayden Christensen (below left), who played the character in the prequels.
Many of the films in theStar Wars franchise have beenre-released, both theatrically and on home media formats. Franchise creatorGeorge Lucas often altered the films for there-releases. These alterations range from minor refinements (such ascolor grading andaudio mixing) to major changes (such as the insertion of new dialogue, characters, and visual effects). Theoriginal trilogy was altered the most, although revisions were also made to theprequels. According to Lucas, some changes brought the films closer to his original vision, while others were attempts to create continuity with later films.
While different versions of theStar Wars films have existed since the 1977 release of theoriginal film (later titledA New Hope), the first major changes were made in 1997 for the release of a Special Edition remaster in commemoration of the franchise's 20th anniversary. These changes were largely made as visual effects tests for the forthcoming prequel films, demonstrating the possibilities ofcomputer-generated imagery (CGI). Additional notable changes were made when the original trilogy was released on DVD in 2004, in an attempt to create more consistency with the prequel trilogy. More changes were made to the films for theirBlu-ray release in 2011 and for their4K Ultra HD release in 2019.
Although some fans and critics felt that many of the smaller changes were innocuous or justified, most larger changes were received negatively—particularly those made to the original three films, the theatrical versions of which have never been officially released on home video inhigh definition. Although the masternegatives of the original trilogy were dismantled, another set ofhigh-quality duplicates was created for long-term preservation.
Prior to makingA New Hope, Lucas experienced dissatisfaction with the changes made to his previous films by the studios that produced them. His first feature,THX 1138 (1971), had five minutes removed byWarner Bros.[1] His next film,American Graffiti (1973), had several minutes removed byUniversal Pictures.[2] Following the success ofA New Hope, Lucas's original version ofTHX 1138 was theatrically released in 1977.[1] The original version ofAmerican Graffiti was released theatrically in 1978, and was further altered for the 1998 DVD release with a CGI modification to the opening shot.[2] In 2004, Lucas supervised adirector's cut ofTHX 1138, which included new special effects.[3] As an advocate for the moral rights of artists, Lucas spoke before theU.S. House of Representatives in 1988 in support of legislation that would discourage studios from altering films without the consent of the creators of those films.[4][5] Lucas stated:
People who alter or destroy works of art, and our cultural heritage, for profit or as an exercise of power are barbarians ... Today, engineers with their computers can ... add or subtract material to the philosophical taste of the copyright holder. Tomorrow, more advanced technology will be able to replace actors with "fresher faces," or alter dialogue ... Attention should be paid to the interest of those who are yet unborn, who should be able to see ... the past generation as it saw itself, and how it worked with the mediums that were available to it.[6]
1977: In May,Star Wars was theatrically released.[7] Three different audio versions (aDolby Stereo mix, a six-channel mix for70 mm screenings, and amono mixprint) were created, with significant differences. Notably, the mono mix print featured several alternate and additional sound effects and lines of dialogue.[8] Later that year, among others, a silent, English-subtitledSuper 8 reel version of the film was released by Ken Films.[9]
1980: In May,The Empire Strikes Back was theatrically released.[7] After its initial opening, but before its wide release, Lucas extended the end sequence.[10] A 70 mm print of the film differed from the more widely distributed35 mm print intakes of dialogue, visual and sound effects, shot choices, and transitions between shots;[11] none of these changes appeared in later releases, with exception of one dialogue change.[12]
1985: The originalStar Wars film was re-released onVHS,LaserDisc, andCapacitance Electronic Disc (CED) with an improvedaudio mix (featuring a fusion of Lucas's preferred audio takes from the three 1977 mixes).[14] The LaserDisc and CED sped the film up by 3% to fit onto a single disc.[12][a]
1993: The original trilogy was released on LaserDisc as "The Definitive Collection". With the exception of a newTHX audio mix, scratch and dirt removal, andcolor balance changes, it matched the original theatrical releases.[12]
1995: The original trilogy was re-released on VHS with THX audio, advertised as the final release of the theatrical versions.[15][16][17]
1997: The "Special Edition" of the original trilogy was released theatrically from January through March for the 20th anniversary ofStar Wars. This release featured the first significant changes, which were intended to prove thatIndustrial Light & Magic (ILM) could effectively produce CGIvisual effects for theprequel trilogy. For the "Special Edition" ofA New Hope, the additional sound effects and lines of dialogue from the original mono mix print were carried over.[18][12][b][c]
2001: In November,The Phantom Menace was released onDVD, which features a slightly extended cut from the theatrical release.[20]
2002: In May,Episode II – Attack of the Clones was theatrically released.[7] A version made fordigital-projection theaters included a few special effects which were not ready for the initial wide release;[d] the DVD features the digital version[22] with some extended lines of dialogue.[23][24] A version was also made forIMAX theaters using IMAX's then-new digital-mastering process, with theaspect ratio cropped to 1.81:1 and the duration reduced to 120 minutes due to IMAX film platter limitations at the time.[25][26]
2004: In September, the original trilogy was released on DVD. Further significant alterations were made,[12] including replacingLatin script text withAurebesh.[18]
2006: In September, Limited Edition DVDs of the 2004 versions of the original trilogy werere-issued; these contain the original unaltered versions on bonus discs. These match the 1993 LaserDisc release, sans the subtitleEpisode IV – A New Hope.[12][f]
2011: The original and prequel trilogy were released onBlu-ray. Alterations were made to all six films.[12]
2012:The Phantom Menace was theatrically re-released in3D, with an additional minor change to one shot.[29]
2015: The original and prequel films were released as a digital download. They are identical to their Blu-ray release, except for changes to the opening logos andfanfares.[12][g] The U.S.Library of Congress made the original release ofStar Wars available to watch in person.[31][h] Thesequel trilogy filmThe Force Awakens was theatrically released in both standard andIMAX formats.[35]
2019: The original and prequel films were released in4K resolution andHDR onDisney's streaming service,Disney+.[30][i] Color, compositing, and minor effects adjustments were made to all three films of the original trilogy.[36][37]
The franchise-originating film was released in 1977, under the titleStar Wars. The subtitleEpisode IV – A New Hope was retroactively added to the opening crawl for the theatricalre-release on April 10, 1981,[13][38] to align with the titling of the sequel,Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980).[12]
Lucas noted that originalAunt Beru actressShelagh Fraser sounded a "littleBritish" during filming, prompting the rerecording of her lines for the 1977 mono release.[39][14]: 8:45
A number of scenes onTatooine were modified for the 1997 Special Edition, most notably an alteration to theGreedo scene and the restoration of a deleted scene featuringJabba the Hutt. Additionally, during theGalactic Empire's search for the droids, two newly filmed shots ofstormtroopers and CGIDewback lizards were inserted. In another shot, a static Dewback was replaced with a moving CGI version. Writing inWired magazine, Drew Stewart claimed the rationale for the added content was to illustrate the extent of the Empire's search, but criticized the new shots as "people wandering aimlessly".[18][40][j]
The soundObi-Wan Kenobi makes to scare off theTusken Raiders was changed for the 2004 DVD release and again for the 2011 Blu-ray release.[41] In the scene in whichR2-D2 hides in a cave, rocks were inserted in front of the cave for the Blu-ray release.[18][k]
Other alterations introduced in various releases include a CGI replacement of the Jawasandcrawler,[42] the replacement of an external shot of Obi-Wan's hut with a new angle showingLuke Skywalker's parkedlandspeeder,[12][43] and color and continuity changes involving the binary sunset.[44] The shadow of the landspeeder was redone in one shot,[45] and creatures, robots, and ships were added toMos Eisley, including elements created for theShadows of the Empire multimedia campaign.[18][46][l] Some of the aliens in the cantina were replaced with new CGI characters and a shot of theMillennium Falcon fighting its way out of Mos Eisley was added.[18]
Han Solo is cornered in the Mos Eisley cantina by theRodian bounty hunter Greedo. When Greedo begins threatening him, Han kills him by shooting under the table.[31] The 1997 release of the film alters the scene so that Greedo shoots first and misses (with Han's head digitally pivoting away from the blaster bolt). The scene was changed again for the 2004 DVD release so that Han and Greedo shoot almost simultaneously;[33] this was shortened by several frames for the 2011 Blu-ray release.[48] The scene was further modified for the 2019 4K Ultra HD release with the addition of a close-up shot of Greedo speaking (without subtitles),[m] as well as the removal of a reverse shot of Greedo, and are-rendering of the visual effects.[30][51][n]
The original version of the Greedo scene is considered iconic,[51][52] while some consider the altered version one of the most controversial changes to the film. Some fans have coined the phrase "Han shot first" to protest the change,[53] which according toPolygon alters Han's moral ambiguity and his fundamental character.[54] Lucas has stated that he always intended for Greedo to shoot first.[55][56] In 2015, a copy of an early draft of theStar Wars screenplay was discovered in the archives of the University of New Brunswick library. In the script, dated March 15, 1976, only Han shoots.[57] Greedo actorPaul Blake has also claimed that in theshooting script, Han fired the only shot.[58] Lucas explained that he wanted Han to be aJohn Wayne-type character who allows his enemy to have the first shot before retaliating.[55][o] He claims the original version of the scene portrayed Han as a "cold-blooded killer". Writing inWired, Matt Blum claimed that Han shot in self-defense, and that it is therefore inaccurate to call him a cold-blooded killer.[61]
The original script forStar Wars included a scene with Han and Jabba in a Mos Eisley docking bay. The scene was filmed by asecond unit withDeclan Mulholland wearing a furry vest as a stand-in for Jabba.[41][62][63] Lucas intended to replace Mulholland inpost-production with astop-motion character, but due to time limitations and budget constraints, the entire scene was cut. In the 1997 Special Edition, the scene was reinserted with a CGI Jabba replacing Mulholland.[41] This was an early example of a fully CGI, speaking character in a film. The character precededJar Jar Binks inThe Phantom Menace by two years, who was a combination of CGI and motion capture.[63][64] To explain Jabba's mobility despite his sluglike form, artist Claudia Mullaly conceived ofrepulsorlifts (one of which he sits upright in), but this concept was dropped.[65]
In the original footage,Harrison Ford walked through the area where Jabba's tail would be. As a workaround, Han was digitally moved to appear as if he steps on Jabba's tail, with the Hutt squealing as a result.[41] This part of the scene has been poorly received, including by its original animatorSteve Williams.[41][63]Boba Fett and several Rodians (at least one of whom is alook-alike of Greedo in the background) also appear in the scene, with Fett seeming to break thefourth wall.[62][66][63]
The insertion of this scene was criticized for being superfluous and slowing down the pace of the narrative. Critics also claimed that it undermined the introduction of both theMillennium Falcon (in the following scene) and Jabba (inReturn of the Jedi,[12][41][62][67][68] portrayed via a massive and costly puppet).[69] The 1997 CGI Jabba has been described as "atrocious"[41] and for the 2004 DVD release was replaced with a higher-resolution model resembling the one inThe Phantom Menace.[41][70][63] On the 2004 DVD audio commentary forA New Hope, Lucas said that while he did not mind cutting the scene when he was not sure if he could make sequels, he reintroduced it because Jabba is important to Han's largerstory arc.[71]ScreenCrush later called the 2004 version "an improvement, but only in the way that nausea is an improvement over vomit".[72]
During the training scene aboard theMillennium Falcon, Luke'slightsaber—which in some releases had erroneously appeared green—was corrected to blue in the 2011 release.[73][37]
For the Special Edition, shots of Imperial officersbeing shot by Han and Luke as they infiltrate theDeath Star were partiallyedited out to omit the most extreme violence.[14]: 26:30 Additionally, a scene of Han chasing a squad of stormtroopers was altered to replace the appearance of several stormtroopers at the end of the corridor with dozens in formation.Den of Geek criticized the change as being "too much" and making Han's shooting back at them less believable.[62] TwoScreen Rant writers call the updated version "utterly ridiculous" but "much funnier".[74][75] Another shot of a stormtrooper hitting his head on a door had a sound effect added in 2004, making it seem like the goof was intentional.[76][77]
In the original version of Obi-Wan andDarth Vader's duel, Obi-Wan's saber appeared to "short out" whenforeshortened toward the camera (a result of the in-camera effects failing to account for this viewing angle).[78] A glow was added in 2004, and a fully finished blade was added to these shots in 2019.[79][80] Also in the 2019 version, Obi-Wan's lightsaber was adjusted to appear consistently blue, and the flash effects of the lightsabers clashing were redone.[37][81]
Both the explosions ofAlderaan and the Death Star had shockwaves added to them starting with the 1997 edition.[12][75]
The Special Edition ofA New Hope incorporated a deleted scene onYavin 4, in which Luke is briefly reunited with his childhood friendBiggs Darklighter. This was felt by some to strengthen the relationship of the characters during the climactic Death Star attack run.[82][83][p] The scene also included the appearance of Red X-Wing Squadron LeaderGarven Dreis, an addition that pleased his actorDrewe Henley although his credit remained not corrected.[84]
The original film includes a two-shot sequence ofX-wing fighters flying past Yavin towards the Death Star (showing the fighters from behind, then the front). For the 1997 edition, these were replaced with a 180° turn of CGIX-wings (seen from the front, then the back).Wired points out that the addition of the moon (Yavin 4) in the background places it "very clearly in range of the Death Star from the very beginning of the battle."[18] Additionally, engine sounds were added to the battle scene which make parts of the musical score difficult to hear.[62]
According to Lucas,The Empire Strikes Back contains the most changes, although are mostly limited to compositing (e.g. during theHoth battle), with only a few scenes being significantly altered.[12]Christopher Miller, who later worked onSolo: A Star Wars Story (2018), claimed that he played a stormtrooper added to the film's Special Edition while an intern at Lucasfilm.[85][86]
For his appearance as a hologram inThe Empire Strikes Back,the Emperor was originally portrayed by masked actressMarjorie Eaton and voice actorClive Revill. For the 2004 DVD edition and subsequent releases, this was replaced by new footage ofIan McDiarmid, who plays the character in later films.[88][89][r] The dialogue was changed in the new version, making Vader seem to have been unaware of Luke's paternity despite knowing his last name.[92]
ScreenCrush argues that this change is the worst to anyStar Wars film, owing to the altered dialogue.[92]Wired writes that it is unclear whether the new dialogue is meant to portray Vader and the Emperor "deliberately testing one another", and also that McDiarmid "looks more like he did 20 years before in the timeline than he does a year later inReturn of the Jedi".[18] Sources such asPolygon andio9 regard the actor replacement itself as logical,[54][83] andScreen Rant praises it as "a change that blends seamlessly with the original film, due in large part to the relative ease of swapping one holographic image for another".[74]
In the shot when theMillennium Falcon detaches from theStar Destroyer, Boba Fett's ship, theSlave I, was replaced with a CGI version following theFalcon more closely.[18] BothWhatCulture andWired opine that the change makes it hard to believe that Han could not see Fett.[98][18]
New establishing shots were added toCloud City, which according to Lucas were added partially because directorIrvin Kershner was dissatisfied with the limitations of the location's set.[99] The additions create some inconsistencies with later shots. Another shot has a railing added to it, which does not reflect properly.[18] New shots of Cloud City's citizens reacting toLando Calrissian's evacuation orders were also added.[18][t]
In the 1997 edition, the scene of Luke dropping down the chute to escape Vader was modified to include an audible scream—created using the sound of the Emperor screaming as he falls down the shaft inReturn of the Jedi; this received criticism and was removed in later releases.[18]
Following the initial limited theatrical release, Lucas added three exterior shots to the denouement to clarify that Lando andChewbacca are on theFalcon, not theRebel frigate that Luke, Leia, and the droids are on.[10]
In the 1997 edition, a line of Vader's dialogue was replaced and a shot of his shuttle landing in his Star Destroyer (using stock footage of thesecond Death Star fromReturn of the Jedi in whichMoff Jerjerrod appears)[citation needed] was inserted into the sequence in which Luke uses the Force to contact Leia.[18][100]Wired calls this "Yet another addition that answers a question no one had."[18]
With the Blu-ray release, theEwoks now blink. This detail was hoped for during the original production, but was abandoned due to practical limitations of the costumes.[14]: 1:03:00
In the Special Edition, an establishing shot of abantha herd was inserted,[100] and a CGI beak and extra tentacles were added to thesarlacc.[18][101][102] Jabba's dialogue was given subtitles, althoughC-3PO translates most of his lines.[103] The 2011 edition extends the front door of Jabba's palace as seen from the outside to make it appear about three times wider.[104] The Blu-ray also added aDug to the inside of the palace, which was criticized as standing out from puppet aliens in the same scene.[67][105]
The scene in which Jabba feeds the dancerOola to hisrancor opens with a performance by theMax Rebo Band and its lead singer, Sy Snootles. In the original theatrical release, the song is "Lapti Nek", sung in the fictional languageHuttese. The Special Edition changed the performance to the new song "Jedi Rocks",[106] which mostly received negative criticism.[54][107][108]Polygon's Owen Good describes the new vocals as difficult to listen to and having "the volume andvocal fry of a higher pitchedTina Turner but none of the soul".[54][u] The puppet used for Snootles was also replaced with CGI. According to Special Edition producerRick McCallum, this change was made because Lucas could not originally achieve the "large musical number" he envisioned because characters could not move in certain ways; Snootles could not open her mouth tolip sync correctly, and her eyes did not move. The Special Edition increased the size of the Max Rebo Band from three members to twelve.[106] Additional footage was filmed of Boba Fett flirting with one of the dancers;[109] original Fett actorJeremy Bulloch thought this was somewhat contrary to the character's nature.[110]
In the theatrical release of the film, Oola's death is filmed from outside the rancor pit: she falls into the pit, and her scream is heard from off-screen. In the 1997 edition, extra shots were inserted depicting her in the pit, including shots where she looks up to the crowd, the pit door being raised, and a shot of her terror. The rancor and Oola as she screams remain off-screen.[83]Femi Taylor, who played Oola, impressed critics with her ability to reprise the role over a decade later without visible difference.[83][62]Wired notes that "they put a different eyeshadow color on her, so she's not exactly seamless."[18] James Whitbrook atio9 praised the additions to the scene, writing that it teased the rancor well while still keeping the monster a surprise for Luke's later battle with it.[83] Conversely,Den of Geek UK criticized the additions as unnecessary and felt that they made the audience familiar with the pit, weakening Luke's scene.[62]
In 2004, Lucas revealed that he had considered adding a shot of Fett escaping the sarlacc, but decided against it because it would have detracted from the scene's focus: Jabba's death.[111] Fett's survival was eventually depicted in theDisney+ live-action streaming seriesThe Mandalorian (2019–2023) andThe Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022).[96][97]
At the climax of the film, the Emperor tortures Luke withForce lightning, prompting Vader to throw the Emperor down a chasm. In the original version of the scene, Vader has no dialogue.[112] Starting with the 2011 edition, Vader mutters "No" and then yells a drawn-out "No!", creating a parallel with his near-identical cry at the end ofRevenge of the Sith.[113] This addition was described as being unnecessary at best, and at worst being clumsy, sounding terrible, and seeming to mock the scene in the prequel.[112][113][12] APolygon writer argues that the change displays a distrust in the audience's ability to interpret Vader's emotions and further that it made the emotional scene "laughable".[54]
In the scene where Anakin Skywalker is unmasked, the 2004 edition digitally removed his eyebrows to reflect Anakin burning onMustafar at the end ofRevenge of the Sith.[95][114]
The film ends with a scene of the Rebel Alliance and a village of Ewoks onEndor celebrating the death of the Emperor and victory over the Empire. The original theatrical release of the film features the song "Ewok Celebration", also known as "Yub Nub", playing over the celebration.[12][107] The 1997 edition release of the film replaced "Ewok Celebration" with score composed byJohn Williams titled "Victory Celebration",[12] and the scene was lengthened to include shots of celebration on the planetsCoruscant,[12][115]Bespin, and Tatooine.[116] The 2004 edition further added a shot set onNaboo, in which aGungan is given a line of dialogue,[12] and added the Senate building and Jedi Temple to Coruscant.[117] The concept for the interplanetarymontage was discussed during the film'spre-production.[118]
Near the end of the film, Vader kills the Emperor to save Luke's life, then dies of his injuries. He later appears to Luke as theForce spirit of Anakin, alongsideYoda and Obi-Wan. In the original version, Sebastian Shaw plays the spirit, as well as the unmasked Vader. BecauseHayden Christensen played Anakin in the prequel filmsAttack of the Clones andRevenge of the Sith, the 2004 DVD edition ofReturn of the Jedi features Christensen as the spirit, replacing Shaw. In a 2005 conversation with Christensen, Lucas explained the change in this way: "When you come back to the good side of the Force, it's your former persona that survives, not the Darth Vader persona."[119] The alteration was ranked as the worst change to the original trilogy byDen of Geek.[62]The Digital Bits notes that the 2019 restoration made it more obvious where Anakin's head was replaced.[117]
The DVD released in 2001 features a longer version of thepodrace sequence,[20] as well as a brief scene on Coruscant focusing on Anakin and Jar Jar Binks.[120] The 2011 Blu-ray incorporates a CGI Yoda.[121] For the 2012 3Dre-release, the end of Anakin's magnetic wand was redesigned in one shot of the podrace.[29]
The extended podrace includes a longer introduction of the racers and the second lap of the race,[122] whichScreen Rant says does not contribute to the story, and potentially negatively affects the film's pacing. Additionally, shots includingWatto cheering for Anakin's rivalSebulba were removed for home media releases.[120][122]
In the original version ofThe Phantom Menace, a puppet was used to portray Yoda except in twowide shots which required CGI.[123][124] This was changed for the 2011 release, with the puppet being replaced with a CGI model, similar to those used for the film's sequels,Attack of the Clones andRevenge of the Sith.[121]
A few special effects which were not ready for the initial wide release were completed for release in digital-projection theaters.[d] The DVD features the digital version[22] with some extended lines of dialogue.[23][24] The 2011 edition features a small editing change to the Coruscant speeder chase, adds a voiceover to Anakin's vision ofShmi,[12] and changes the order of shots depictingCount Dooku's escape.[125]
The theatrical release had a diagonalwipe from Obi-Wan leaving Mustafar to Anakin using his hand to crawl from the lava. The DVD changed this to a direct cut, which was reverted on the Blu-ray.[27] The latter release also has additionalclone trooper dialogue[12] as they land onUtapau, and added moss to the treehouse onKashyyyk.[126]
The filmmakers had discussions of what further changes could be done to past films or in revisions of this film; Lucas was impressed enough with the Creature Shop's radio-controlled mask for the background character of Senator Meena Tills that he briefly considered replacing the footage containingAdmiral Ackbar's mask inReturn of the Jedi with Meena's one due to always feeling that Ackbar's was compromised despite being done with the latest puppetry technology available back then,[127] while McCallum expressed his hopes in the film's audio commentary that, as part of a hypothetical six-episode DVD box set, Lucas would restore a deleted scene of Yoda arriving atDagobah to begin his self-imposed exile, which was cut as Lucas felt the film would have had "too many endings".[128]
Various media outlets have cited certain changes to the original trilogy as being particularly egregious. These include: inA New Hope, makingGreedo shoot first (which has been especially criticized for playing tricks with viewers' minds and memories) and the restored Jabba scene;[62][41][18] inThe Empire Strikes Back, changes to the Emperor's dialogue (and appearance);[62][18] inReturn of the Jedi, the new song in Jabba's palace, Vader yelling "No!" at the climax, and Christensen replacing Shaw as Anakin's spirit.[62][41][12][18]
In 2015,Lance Ulanoff ofMashable viewed the original theatrical print ofStar Wars submitted to the Library of Congress, and noted merit to Lucas's belief that technology did not allow him to achieve his vision, citing a visible marquee around Leia's ship "so jarring that it temporarily pulls me out of the film" because the original print is "lack[ing] the seamless quality [he has] come to expect from sci-fi and fantasy". Despite this, Ulanoff wrote that he "hate[s] each and every one" of the later added CGI effects.[31] In 2017, a writer argued that the Special Edition changes to the originalStar Wars "stripped the film of every aspect that it had won itsAcademy Awards for", including those forBest Visual Effects,Best Production Design, andBest Original Score.[34]
A smaller number of changes have been cited as improving the films or not harming them.[83] A 2015Polygon article claimed there was "solid logic" behind a number of the minor changes, such as adding windows to Cloud City or sparks to Jango Fett's jetpack, saying these "angered, to a close approximation, nobody".[54]A New Hope's restored Biggs scene has garnered mostly favorable feedback.[82][83][75][18] In 2021,Screen Rant praised special effects additions toA New Hope, including the CGI Dewback replacement, the Mos Eisley establishing shots, and the explosions of Alderaan and the Death Star.[75] A consistent minority viewpoint has held that the net total of changes improves the films more than it detracts from them.[129]
The masternegatives of the original trilogy were reportedly dismantled in order to create the Special Editions, although high-quality duplicates known asseparation masters exist (also used as a source for the 1997 versions).[130] In 1997, Lucas stated, "There will only be one [version of each film] ... The [original] will be some sort of interesting artifact ... [that] will disappear. ... A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version."[131] Asked why he was opposed to releasing the original versions of the films alongside the modified versions, Lucas stated in 2004: "To me, [the original movie] doesn't really exist anymore. ... I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be."[132] Lucas has said the Special Edition of aA New Hope brought the film from representing 60% of his vision to 80%.[133]
Gary Kurtz, producer ofA New Hope andThe Empire Strikes Back, spoke against changing films retroactively in a 2002 interview. He stated, "I'm just not a great believer in messing with what is done. It may not be perfect, and as I said a long time ago, there's nothing that is." Addressing the Special Editions, he said,
... fixing a few matte lines and adding a couple of spaceships into shots is fine. I don't think anybody would notice that. But actually adding scenes that don't make any difference ... and all of those digitally enhanced shots of robots floating around and creatures walking through the frame ... call attention to themselves. Are much worse, actually, I think. Primarily because CGI work ... done by ILM, which is the best there is ... does not fit in with the mechanical style of the original film.[134]
Lucas's name is sometimes used as a shorthand verb for the act of retroactively altering a film.[135][136] In early 2002, filmmaker (and friend of Lucas)Steven Spielbergre-releasedE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in a digitally altered 20th-anniversary Special Edition, which notably replaced guns carried by federal agents withwalkie-talkies.[137][138][v] This prompted the creators ofSouth Park to parody both Spielberg and Lucas's changes to their films inan episode of their show.[140] In 2007,Family Guy lampooned Christensen's appearance as a spirit, and in 2017 comedianBrian Posehn stated that the original trilogy "already was special".[141][142] Lucas's changes have become a primary point of reference for retroactive changes to other films.[143][144] By contrast, some media outlets positively reviewed the 2020 4K release ofPeter Jackson'sThe Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was remastered and adjusted for color consistency withThe Hobbit trilogy, but not otherwise significantly altered.[145][146][147]
A number of errors remain in the latest version of theStar Wars films.[148] For instance, Sebulba is unrendered in a brief shot inThe Phantom Menace, which special-effects supervisorJohn Knoll called attention to in the film's 2001 DVD commentary. Craig Elvy ofScreen Rant said, "This highlights how George Lucas' motivations for tweaking theStar Wars movies are more about improving and updating than removing imperfections".[149]
In 2019,Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm since the 2012 acquisition of the company by Disney, stated that she would not make alterations to Lucas's original trilogy, because "those will always remain his."[150] While promotingThe Rise of Skywalker, directorJ. J. Abrams expressed his hopes that the original versions of the trilogy would be officially released, but said that the powers that be had told him "that that's not necessarily possible".[151][w] On whether he thought the sequel trilogy should be altered at some point, Abrams stated, "I respect anyone who feels like they want to go back and adjust and add; I get that. But I also feel like ... [when] you're done with a thing, ... that's what it is."[152] Contrarily, some media outlets have called for the climax ofThe Rise of Skywalker to be altered to show the Force ghosts of the Jedi who aidRey.[153][154] Fan pleas for a director's cut of the film trended on social media following the release ofZack Snyder's Justice League.[155][x]
In 2023, when asked if he had the clout to influence Lucasfilm to release the original cuts of the original trilogy,The Mandalorian creatorJon Favreau answered, "Do you think anybody but ... the people who grew up with it ... would care?" He went on to explain his view that "younger people have a whole different perception of whatStar Wars is."[158]
When asked about the possibility of releasing the original versions in 2024, Lucas reiterated, "I'm a firm believer that the director or the writer or the filmmaker should have a right to have his movie be the way he wants it."[159] In early 2025, theBritish Film Institute announced that it would screen the original film in its unaltered form at a film festival that June,[160] which Kennedy attended. Some reviewers noted that it felt like a completely different film than what they were used to, opining that it had an aesthetic low quality without the minor technological improvements of later versions. Film criticRobbie Collin cited the analogue aesthetic as lending humor to comedic interactions betweenC-3PO andR2-D2 and wrote that the Death Star control panels looked like "wooden boards with lights stuck on" and were thus "better attuned to the frequency of make-believe".[161]
^Lucas has stated that "There are two or three shots that are really bad and I know that [1977'sStar Wars] is going to be judged on that. I was embarrassed. In 1993, the 20th anniversary was coming up and that was the impetus for doing a Special Edition of A New Hope – to bring it up to the standard we were aiming for." Lucas has also stated, "Once I had started redoing the first film, it was such a good experience, I said "we should go back and finish the other two as well".[19][page needed]
^Some state that the changes were intended to modernize the films and create consistency with the prequel trilogy.[12]
^According toEmpire, "the quality of the transfer is laughably bad, with a non-anamorphicletterboxed4:3 aspect ratio creating huge black bars on all sides of the film, if watched on a widescreen TV."[12] A review fromIGN was more mixed, praising the DVDs themselves and the inclusion of both the original and enhanced versions, while the main area of criticism was on Lucas' decision to delay specifically the theatrical versions' home media release, calling it a "back-handed show of gratitude to fans."[28]
^The 20th Century Fox logo and fanfare were removed fromThe Empire Strikes Back,Return of the Jedi, and the prequel films as a result ofDisney's 2012 acquisition ofLucasfilm. It remained onA New Hope as Fox retained the full rights to the film after the acquisition. As a result, a new fanfare, based on the ending part of "The Rebel Fleet/End Title", fromThe Empire Strikes Back, composed byJohn Williams, plays over the 1997Lucasfilm logo.[30]
^In 1989, the original release ofStar Wars was selected for preservation in theNational Film Registry.[32] In 2014, it still did not have a "working copy" (a copy available for public viewing) of the 1977 film; George Lucas refused to submit the original, stating that he no longer authorized the release of the theatrical version.[33]Lucasfilm offered the 1997 Special Edition release, but the Registry refused it as the first published version must be accepted.[34] The Library subsequently used a 35 mm print of the original version of the film (which had been submitted in 1978 as part of the film'scopyright deposit) to make a digital working copy.[33][31]
^The 20th Century Fox logo and fanfare were restored to the five films they had been removed from in 2015 as a result of Disney'sacquisition of 21st Century Fox earlier in 2019. As a result, theNews Corporation byline was removed. Furthermore, the 1997Lucasfilm logo was changed to the 2015 logo.[30]
^Additionally, Stewart notes that though "the dewback model was rebuilt for the prequels ... the test model was left front-and-center in a classic film."[18]
^Stewart claims there is "no visible way" for R2-D2 to have gotten into the cave.[18]
^The computer-generatedImperial landing craft was created for the 1997 release of the film, but first appeared inShadows of the Empire media.[47]
^The close-up is composed of cropped footage used a few seconds before.[37] The dialogue, transcribed by fans as "maclunkey", is also spoken inThe Phantom Menace, where the apparentlyHuttese phrase is subtitled "This will be the end of you."[49][50]
^The change was made by Lucas before the 2012 sale of his company to Disney.[51]
^In various films, such asRiders of Destiny (1933) andRed River (1948), John Wayne's character shoots down his opponent as he draws his pistol.[59][60]
^Wired writes, "The one interesting part of the [full version of the cut scene] was howRed Leader mentioned flying with Luke's father, a possible tie to the prequels ... cut out by having a technician walk across the screen and hiding the cut dialog with a time jump. Unfortunately, this is done poorly, as the missing time is reflected by R2's literal jump by several feet in his rise to theX-wing."[18]
^According toWhatCulture andWired, the additional shots show a redesigned and more fully realized wampa—which may reflect the original intent of the filmmakers—but the addition unnecessarily altered the decision to leave the monster largely to the imagination.[87][18]
^Prequel actorHayden Christensenstood in as Vader during the filming,[90] which occurred during the production ofRevenge of the Sith (2005).[91]
^Wired criticizes the change, writing, "This might make sense if it wasn't for the fact that accents aren't genetic. Jango died 25 years earlier, it's highly unlikely Boba would still sound exactly like his father, even if they were genetically identical."[18] Fett was later reprised by Morrison for the post-Return of the Jedi live-action streaming seriesThe Mandalorian andThe Book of Boba Fett.[96][97]
^AWired writer opines that "The frantic pace of our heroes trying to escape is now interrupted by shots of characters we've never seen and will never see again."[18]
^Owen Good writes that the new material in Jabba's palace is "an overproduced intrusion that takes twice as long to add nothing" and distracts from the scene's intention: to establish the trapdoor leading to the rancor and the Hutt's deadliness.[54] AWired writer argues that the additions crowded the scene with unsatisfactory CGI.[107]Den of Geek notes that the change negatively altered the tone of the scene and only "replaced one flawed effect with another", writing that "What was once a low-key yet appealing background moment in the movie's first act [has] grown into ... an in-your-face audio-visual spectacle".[108]
^Spielberg later stated that he would not digitally alter his films in the future and insisted that viewers watch the original version ofE.T..[139]
^Abrams further said that when makingThe Force Awakens, he had gotten into a disagreement about the dialoguebetween Vader and the Emperor inThe Empire Strikes Back before realizing that different versions of the film were being referred to; he cited theDespecialized Editions of the films, while the other party had recalled the reworded dialogue.[151]
^Shortly after the release ofThe Rise of Skywalker, a rumor was circulated concerning an alleged "Abrams cut" of the film, which was quickly debunked.[156] A subsequent unsubstantiated rumor claimed that George Lucas would release his own version.[157]
^abcLucas, George (2002).Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clonesaudio commentary (DVD). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 112, 135.
^Kallay, William (December 2002)."An Interview With Jim Ward, V.P. of Marketing, Lucasfilm, Ltd".in70mm.com.Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 17, 2022.... it seemed like 1.81:1 was the best balance ... without having to get too dramatic on apan-and-scan basis. ... We used the pan-and-scan version of the DVD as sort of a guideline.
^Clark, Mark (2015).Star Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies. Milwaukee, WI: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books.ISBN978-1480360181.OCLC907104091.
^Squires, Scott;Coleman, Rob (2001).Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menaceaudio commentary (DVD). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 2:06:30–2:07:30.
^Coleman, Rob (2002).Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clonesaudio commentary (DVD). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 4:45.
^Quint (aka Eric Vespe) (June 3, 2011)."Spielberg Speaks! Jaws Blu-Ray in the Works with No 'Digital Corrections!".Ain't It Cool News.Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. RetrievedFebruary 14, 2022.There's going to be no more digital enhancements or digital additions to anything based on any film I direct. ... When people ask me whichE.T. they should look at, I always tell them to look at the original 1982E.T.
^"Free Hat".South Park. Season 6. Episode 9. July 10, 2002. Event occurs at 1:00.Comedy Central.In this version [ofEmpire], the word 'Wookiee' has been changed to 'hair-challenged animal' and the entire cast has been digitally replaced by Ewoks.
