More changes were made to the films for their Blu-ray release in 2011 and for their 4K Ultra HD release in 2019.Īlthough some critics felt that many smaller changes were improvements, innocuous, or understandable, most larger changes were received negatively by fans and critics-particularly those made to the original trilogy. 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. These changes were largely made as visual effects tests for the forthcoming prequel films, demonstrating the possibilities of computer-generated imagery (CGI). The first substantial changes were made in 1997 with the release of a Special Edition remaster in commemoration of the franchise's twentieth anniversary. Dissatisfied with the original theatrical cuts of the original Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, creator George Lucas altered the films in ways that were ostensibly not initially possible, primarily due to limitations of time, budget, and technology. Though changes were also made to the prequel trilogy, the original trilogy saw the most alteration. The 2004 DVD release replaced his appearance as a Force spirit with Hayden Christensen (below), who played the character in the prequels.Ĭhanges in Star Wars re-releases vary from minor differences in color timing, audio mixing, and take choices to major insertions of new visual effects, additions of characters and dialogue, scene expansions, and replacement of original cast members with newer ones. However, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy had previously stated that restorations of the original trilogy were not a priority.The original theatrical release of Return of the Jedi features Sebastian Shaw as Anakin Skywalker (above left). When Disney purchased 20th Century Fox in 2019, the company obtained the distribution rights to the original trilogy. "Dear Lucasfilm, Please release a Blu-ray of the original, unmessed-with version of STAR WARS I loved when I was 13," Reed tweeted at the time. Each film contained CGI enhancements, remastered sound and the addition of previously deleted scenes, though the changes were largely received negatively by fans and critics.Įven Ant-Man & the Wasp director Peyton Reed implored Lucasfilm to release the original theatrical cuts on Blu-ray in 2017. However, in 1997, Lucas re-released the original Star Wars trilogy in theaters as "Special Editions". At the time, everything from the Darth Vader/Obi-Wan duel to the Death Star battle sequence was created practically using miniatures and without the availability of CGI. The shots shown in the trailer include a look at how the groundbreaking scenes from 1977's Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope were created during a time before special effects houses.
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