Note: This editorial was written before the release of Episode III.
The name Bail Organa has been floating around in Star Wars lore since the saga’s inception. The name and the character went through many iterations until Episode II when Jimmy Smits appeared on screen, ending the mystery of what Bail would look like and what he would do in the prequel era. The character still retained an air of mystery about him, however.
On February 10, 2004, Lucasfilm officially announced that the original Star Wars Trilogy will finally be released on DVD in September, 2004. It was a great day filled with all kinds of press coverage and non stop discussion on fan site forums. Press releases were issued, web sites reported the news with happiness and for a day, and people seemed to be happy that three of the most requested DVDs of all time were finally going to see the light of day.
Will George Lucas authorize yet more changes to the Original Star Wars Trilogy?
(Updated: May 11, 2022) Read More
On February 6th, 2003, George Lucas made an official announcement at an ILM & Skywalker Sound Tribute in California about the original Star Wars Trilogy DVDs. He stated that the pre-special edition versions of the films will NOT be released on DVD at all. We will get the Special Editions in all their newly enhanced glory as soon as Episode III is in the can and there’s time to perfect them and release them. This has, of course, had a crazy effect on the fans and I’ve seen various different reactions to this revelation, which really isn’t too much of a revelation when you think about it. When George Lucas took the old films and made them into the Special Editions, he said time and time again that these are his definitive visions and we won’t see the old ones again, and we haven’t to date. People seem pretty surprised and taken aback by the whole announcement, but didn’t they see it coming? As a Star Wars fan since 1977, I have to admit that this is indeed disappointing. I’m not one of those people who go around banging the protest drum, boycotting the DVD, and asking for my raped childhood back. Perhaps no one at Lucasfilm understands or cares, but to me it’s a big mistake.
