On a quest to find some answers, I resorted to extensive reading on some Star Wars boards.
I found exactly what I was hoping for. Producer Rick McCollum has confirmed that Lucas has been working on an "Ultimate Edition" for the original trilogy, which explains why it isn't out on DVD. It seems Lucas is still unhappy with the OT, and doesn't like the quality dropoff in SFX from the first to the second trilogies. Apparantly, the Special Editions that were released in the theater was sort of an experiment to see how the new CGI would mesh with the old film, to stir more interest before The Phantom Menance, and to help finance what is likely to be a very expensive undertaking.
It is very likely that the original actors will be all that's left of the new films, as the entire background throughout the movies will be digiatally done. Also, this technology will also create new scences with the original characters.
This confirms the rumor that Lucas shot some scenes for Ep 3 and the OT while in Tunisia.
Although the Ulitimate Edition work started even before the theatrical release of the Special Editions, it won't be completed until 2005 or 2006. According to the rumor mill, here are some of the things George will be looking to change:
*Enchance the light saber duel between Obi-Wan and Vader in Episode 4(which is what I mentioned a few days ago) and duels in the other two movies.
*Change the voices of Boba Fett and all the stormtroopers to match Jangos.
*Change some of the lines that break the continuity of the two trilogies that won't be explained in Episode III
*Possibly change Boba Fett's fate, showing him fly out of the pit after Skywalker and company leave.
*Deal with the fact that most of the Rebels and Imperials are humans by increasing the presence of other alien species
*John Williams has been asked to rescore the soundtrack
*Re-dub Ian McDiamond's(?) voice with the dude who was the Emperor in the OT
*Yoda training Luke in light sabre techniques
*References to Qui-Gonn
*Senate scenes and Bail Organa
*Many more minor changes like new light sabre effects, making Yoda CGI throughout, changing the SE Greedo shooting first, and many others. It's quite extensive.
Thoughts?
I found exactly what I was hoping for. Producer Rick McCollum has confirmed that Lucas has been working on an "Ultimate Edition" for the original trilogy, which explains why it isn't out on DVD. It seems Lucas is still unhappy with the OT, and doesn't like the quality dropoff in SFX from the first to the second trilogies. Apparantly, the Special Editions that were released in the theater was sort of an experiment to see how the new CGI would mesh with the old film, to stir more interest before The Phantom Menance, and to help finance what is likely to be a very expensive undertaking.
It is very likely that the original actors will be all that's left of the new films, as the entire background throughout the movies will be digiatally done. Also, this technology will also create new scences with the original characters.
This confirms the rumor that Lucas shot some scenes for Ep 3 and the OT while in Tunisia.
Although the Ulitimate Edition work started even before the theatrical release of the Special Editions, it won't be completed until 2005 or 2006. According to the rumor mill, here are some of the things George will be looking to change:
*Enchance the light saber duel between Obi-Wan and Vader in Episode 4(which is what I mentioned a few days ago) and duels in the other two movies.
*Change the voices of Boba Fett and all the stormtroopers to match Jangos.
*Change some of the lines that break the continuity of the two trilogies that won't be explained in Episode III
*Possibly change Boba Fett's fate, showing him fly out of the pit after Skywalker and company leave.
*Deal with the fact that most of the Rebels and Imperials are humans by increasing the presence of other alien species
*John Williams has been asked to rescore the soundtrack
*Re-dub Ian McDiamond's(?) voice with the dude who was the Emperor in the OT
*Yoda training Luke in light sabre techniques
*References to Qui-Gonn
*Senate scenes and Bail Organa
*Many more minor changes like new light sabre effects, making Yoda CGI throughout, changing the SE Greedo shooting first, and many others. It's quite extensive.
Thoughts?
