After compiling information from three separate sources I am finally ready to put a massive Star Wars DVD update up on the site.
First off, from Video Business Online apparently retailers are already experiencing vast consumer demand for the set, with preorders reaching record levels amid reports of extensive extras on the DVDs.
Okay, so you want to hear about the extras? Well Garth over at DarkHorizons.com has put together a nice list of what you can look forward to:
- 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, THX Certified
- English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX; English, Spanish & French Dolby Surround
- George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren & Carrie Fisher Commentary
- Irvin Kirshner (ESB) & Lawrence Kasdan (ESB, ROTJ) Commentary
- Star Wars: The Independent Films Documentary (150 mins)
- The Evolution of Characters Featurette (30 mins)
- The Influence of Star Wars Featurette (20 mins)
- Lightsabers/Fights Featurette (10 mins)
- 1977 Vintage Star Wars Featurette (20 mins)
- Episode III Behind the Scenes Preview (10 mins)
- Star Wars Battlefront X-Box Video Game Preview
- Original & 1997 Re-Release Teasers and Trailers
- Original TV Spots & 1997 Re-Release TV Spots
- Comprehensive Posters and Artwork Gallery
- DVD-ROM: Link to StarWars.com Website
As if that wasn’t enough The Digital Bits has put together a comprehensive look at an image that has been circulating the web recently detailing one of the updates that has been rumoured to take place on the special editions of the DVDs.
There has been discussion that Lucas still was not entirely satisfied with the end result of the Star Wars Special Editions and that some scenes in the DVDs would be changed yet again.
Below is the multi-image that has been circulating of Emperor Palpatine, better known as simply The Emperor in the Original Trilogy, detailing the difference from the Original Trilogy and the updated DVD version.
The Digital Bits describes it as: That top image is, supposedly, an actual shot of Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, newly inserted into The Empire Strikes Back in place of the original actor (bottom image). This pic has been circulating around the Net for a few days now. The split screen comparison you see here was created by someone on one of the Star Wars fan boards (click here for the original post of the image, along with endless fan debate). But the image at the top (at least the actual face shot of McDiarmid) reportedly leaked from someone involved with the production. We had pretty much dismissed it… BUT. The interesting thing is, we’ve shown this image to insiders we know have seen the real work (three separate sources now), and they’ve independently confirmed that the scene HAS changed and that the top image (of McDiarmid in make-up) is authentic. One other scene we’ve heard is being revamped is the CGI Jabba scene from A New Hope. Look for the digital Jabba to be replaced by a much better looking CG version (likely based on the Episode I digital model of the character).
All this talk and the DVD doesn’t hit the shelves until September. Nonetheless, you better get your hands on a copy now, so click here to pre-order your own.
