The Quest for the Unaltered Star Wars: Original Trilogy Theatrical Cuts

The eternal question among Star Wars fans: Will Lucasfilm/Disney ever release the original theatrical cuts of the trilogy? The answer is not straightforward, as the quality and existence of these unaltered versions remain uncertain.

Evolution of Star Wars: The 1981 Alteration

The first significant alteration to the Star Wars saga occurred in 1981, when the film was retitled from Star Wars to Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. The inclusion of Episode IV in the title matched the subtitles of subsequent films, creating continuity in the franchise. This alteration marks the beginning of the journey that would eventually lead to the Special Editions.

Speculation Around Unaltered Versions

There is some debate and speculation about whether a totally unaltered version of the trilogy still exists in good enough quality to be remastered. Even if such a version is unearthed, several factors come into play:

The potential deterioration of 35mm film over time, leading to a loss of color saturation and other visual inconsistencies. The need for remastering to make it watchable for modern audiences, which may sacrifice the originality of the unaltered cut.

The Library of Congress and Its Challenges

The Library of Congress is known to have preserved the original release versions of the films, but the question remains: Is it the 1977 release or the 1981 title change version? Furthermore, the quality of the prints stored there for years is questionable, raising concerns about the viability of releasing them in their current state.

Lucasfilm's Stance and the Future of the Trilogy

George Lucas, the creator and driving force behind the original trilogy, is a dedicated individual who has always fought to keep his creations in their original form. His persistence is driven by a desire to maintain the purity and authenticity of the films. However, once Lucas is no longer actively involved, it is possible that other parties may prioritize commercial interests over the sanctity of the original versions.

Disney, in partnership with Lucasfilm, has the financial and technological resources to remaster and release these unaltered versions, but the question remains whether they will do so with the same regard for the originality that Lucas has maintained.

Will we EVER see a release of the theatrical cuts of the Original Trilogy?

This question is as eternal as the Star Wars franchise itself. While it is theoretically possible, the numerous challenges and uncertainties make the release of these theatrical cuts a distant and unlikely prospect for now.

Padawan, your question is well-framed in the context of these eternal concerns. Whether we will EVER see these releases depends on the priorities and principles of those who control the future of the Star Wars saga. Until then, the only way to experience the unaltered version is through the dark side power of BitTorrent.

Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to officially announce their plans for the theatrical cuts, and speculations continue to circulate among fans. So, let us wait and see if the star-charts predict a release in the near future.