Lucasfilm came out with a statement today concerning yet another set of changes to the original Star Wars trilogy of films.
Originally Han Solo shot first in the famous cantina scene, then in the 1997 Special Edition version of the film Lucas had Greedo shoot first (a kinder, gentler Han?), now Lucas has compromised and has them both fire at the same time… perhaps throwing a bone to the fans who were outraged at the ‘97 change.
Ol’ George Lucas is flip-flopping more than John Kerry on Iraq.
Other changes include:
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- Improving the Jabba the Hut scene inserted into the original film, hopefully not making it look like Harrison Ford briefly entered a video game.
- In Empire Strikes Back, Ian McDiarmid’s face has replaced the face of the non-credited actor who originally played the part of the emperor.
- And yes, at the end of Return of the Jedi, Hayden Christensen’s ghostly image will replace that of original actor Sebastian Shaw, although Shaw will still be the person shown when Vader’s helmet is removed.
The spokesman from Lucasfilm stated that George Lucas believes very strongly in artist’s rights, and that they should be able to improve on their work. Thank goodness Rembrandt and Da Vinci left their works of art alone when they were done, eh?
You know, all this fan angst could be immediately diffused if Lucas would just include the original versions of the films with this boxed set. It’s really weird how he wants to bury the original films that catapulted him to being a star and a multi-millionare. It’s almost like they were his first, ugly girlfriends that he wants remembered in a better light.
Considering his statements and actions, I find it extremely ironic that Lucas is such a strong opponent of colorizing black and white films….
The Star Wars Trilogy DVD set hits retailers on Sept. 21.
Source: Sci Fi Wire
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36 Comments
I have no problem with a Star Wars, ?Revision 2.0.? Lucus is again on the cutting edge of treating movies as a consumer product. Same old product, but promoted as ?new and improved?! Capitalism at its best!
Although I can’t condone taking away Han’s pro-active blasting of Gredo*, the original is always available and as production technology improves I personally look forward to the enhancements. You have to admit that compared to present day Sci-Fi the original Star Wars FX are a bit quaint?
* I bet the liberal segment of the market will love that Hann is no longer a straight-shooting cowboy, but a feminized ambassador of reason that ?goes to war only as a last resort?. Sound familiar? Hmmm.
Actually the only way the original is available is on the original release on VHS. How many people do you know that still have that old set sitting on a shelf?
Vic
If Lucas wanted to make “Special Editions” of his movies, who am I to judge? It’s the fact that he had the originals destroyed that I didn’t understand. It’s really a shame, too, because most of the changes hurt the overall tone of the movies, if anything. My jaw dropped when I heard Hayden Christensen’s face was going to be superimposed at the end of Return of the Jedi. For the first time, I’m tempted not to buy this DVD set just out of general principle.
Brian
Well, I *do* have the orginals (ok, the THX versions) on VHS… and it’s the only reason I’m keeping my VCR
I dont think the changes is such a big deal, I actually welcome it because it does make more sense seeing Hayden’s face there more than Sebastian Shaw (may he rest in peace) I am sure you know what I mean.
Does anyone have a fan-club or contact address for Hayden Christiansen?
Look, All 6 Star Wars movies were great; each for very different reasons with very different people.
It all makes sense now. Of course, if you over analyze each movie you lose the greater concept.
The first 3 Prequels are all very good. The first one was a good start, the second ” Clone” had to explain some of A. Skywalker’s beginnings in life and love and the Revenge of the Sith, tied it all together. The original Star Wars was excellent as well. Empire was great. Return of the Jedi was awesome as well.
Most people are going to be fascinated and talk about these movies for generations to come.
I don’t necessarily agree with George Lucas, changing the face of A. Skywalker in Return of the Jedi, but that is not my call to make. Lucas is going to do whatever he wants and should. Let’s all try to remember that if it was not for his massive imagination, we would not have any Star Wars to talk about and a lot of actors who have benefited from him, would be relatively unknown still, except for Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee whom all made these movies extra special somehow.
Lets give credit to all those who deserve. Also for example Christopher Lee is over 80 years old and still looks dam good, sexy and makes most 20 year old men today look bad. He is even taller than Hayden Christiansen. Christopher Lee must be doing something right. How many people are in demand at 83 yrs of age. Grow up people, give credit where credit is most certainly deserved and due and
I’d like to see anyone today do any better than Lucas. If anything people from Independence Day to Lord of the Rings, to The Mummy (New Version) all copied Lucas’ Genius. Spielberg and Ron Howard also are lucky to know Lucas. Also Lucas has been very generous with all his resources to a lot of people who are all studying and learning the craft he has perfected so well. End of Story.
I WANT TO KNOW HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN’S EMAIL PLEASE i want to tell him to keeeeeep his hair like it was in reveng of the sith oh how hot it is. i am a huge fan of his he did a wonderful job in the movie such emotion but yes his email or anyway to contact him. thx
Hayden was amazing in revenge of the sith, since I saw the film this week I cant stop thinking about it, there was so much emotion, it made me cry so much! I cant understand though why people go on about how bad haydens performance was in clones ep2, he was great! he played the part really well!!! I still cannot believe that he turned to the dark side just to save padme then she died anyway but it was too late! the story is amazing though! you could easily see that he did not want to change to the dark side because he was crying on the balcony after murdering the viceroy! he only changed to save her! he felt love and a jedi should not! why didnt obi wan understand that? i know its only a story ! but …… u know! hayden did make the film though! he played the part so well, he is an amazing actor! ewan was great too and natalie p was stunning!!!
Whats this about lucas changing the face of the original vader when we see him take his helmet off at the end of return of a jedi? i presume the face of hayden will appear? am i right? or am i totally confused??? lol
WHat is his email address? I want to email him.
What is Hayden Christensen’s email address? I want to email him.
Chelsey, no one here knows his email address, sorry. I suggest you do a Google search for fan clubs for Hayden.
Vic
If you think no one here knows his email address you’re wrong because I know it contact me for it.
Could someone please explain to me this thing about lucas improving the movies? i really do not understand at all and i really want to lol! does this mean that hayden’s face will be put in the last movie????
George Lucas went back to the original trilogy and added and updated special effects. If you watch the DVD of Episode VI (Return of the Jedi) you will see that now Hayden replaces Sebastian Shaw, who is the actor you’ll see when Luke removes Darth Vader’s helmet.
Vic
Hey Vic, did Lucas’ tampering bothered you? Or do you think it makes more sense seeing Hayden’s face there instead of Sebastian Shaw?
I suppose I can live with having Hayden appear at the end, although for some reason the look on his face kinda bugged me. When Shaw was in the scene, both he and Alec Guinness had this kind of happy, peaceful look on their faces, but Hayden doesn’t look that way, more like a smirk or something. You’d think there would be a look of complete joy on his face.
Vic
WOW! that sounds cool, i really want to see that now, to see what hes face looks like! but i presume you have to buy the whole trilogy set pictured above to see it? because i mean i already have the last three on video!!!
I don’t know if they sell them individually or not. The set is definitely worth picking up on DVD. You can get the set here for a reasonable price.
There are lots more additions as well with extra special effects, changes to existing scenes in Mos Eisley and Cloud City and so on.
Vic
That sounds cool, i may check it out! and i would like to say that this site (whoever made it) is great! I love films and everything about them! all kinds! and i think this site is great to talk about them and that! so well done!!! lol
i noe Hayden’s email…
I thought Revenge of the Sith was riveting! Hayden really made the audience feel his passion for Padme, and you no longer think of him as a ‘bad guy’ exactly, but simply a misguided Jedi trying to save his wife and children from certain death, but it didn’t help, and there was no turning back then. I thought it was depressing
I mean, Ewan and Natalie did an EXCELLENT job in the movie also, but it was Hayden who brought it all together. Not to mention Natalie’s character, Padme, gave Anakin second thoughts, or doubts, about the Republic working. “Have you ever wondered if we were fighting for the wrong side?”
that he was undergoing his ’surgery’ into Darth Vader while his children were being born and then
given away to other people, and his wife died in childbirth. THAT made ME cry!
Those are her almost exact words! That would give ME second thoughts, for goodness sake! Wow, this forum has a powerful hold on a person. I know it’s just a movie but…
Natalie, would you mind giving me Hayden’s e-mail? I believe I’ve already told you why.
Does anyone know Hayden’s REAL e-mail address? There’s something kind of :blush: on a site that I found. Trust me; I would want to know this if I were him!!! Or Natalie Portman’s; that would work, too! She’s in on this, too.
i totally agree with u auntaano , this site/forum does hav a powerful hold ! lol, i love films and i really want to work in the industry aftr i leave skl, its not only a film! its a totally diferent world, and tht amazes me! so i understand u lol!!!
I think that Hayden is becoming the Luke of his time. When the first Star Wars came out, my aunts took my mom to see it in theaters for her sixteenth birthday party. She said he was a heartthrob. Hayden’s a heartthrob, so he’s become a Skywalker, all right!!!
I agree. Even though MArk Hamill (luke) is quite old now he is kinda cute. Hayden is just AWSOME though. All my friends said it was a bad film and Hayden couldn’t act but it was amazing. Hayden was hot and the film made me so emotional, good and bad
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I read on one sight that they will be doing another 3 episodes but george lucas might not direct them. im still waiting on that one. please. NEbody hu has haden’s adress please contact me. highvoltage_fuzz@hotmail.com
i think that the new star wars film revenge of the sith is totally awsum.
hayden christensen is such a good actor he makes the film so much better to watch.not that the other actors arent good i just think that hayden is better at it than leonardo dicaprio would be.could you imagin a star wars without hayden christensen, i couldnt :blush:
I’m so thrilled to see that Hayden replaced Sebastian Shaw in ‘Return of the Jedi’. It just makes more sense. Plus, now I have Hayden as is in Episode III on the newest old movie, you know what I mean? Hayden just reaches out to you in the movie, and makes you feel his emotions, not just allowing you to.
I agree. If Hayden was not in the film it wouldn’t be the same. It would still be good only he makes you feel and know what HE is going through. All my friends say that he was crap and that someone better should do do it because he wasn’t even goodlooking. I think some of them just do it to wind me up but i TOTALLY disagree with them. He’s bLoOmInG gEoRgIoUs and nothing my friends tell me is gonna change that. ANYBODY WHO HAS HIS EMAIL ADRESS TELL ME. I HAVE JOHNNY DEPP’S ADDIE AND TOM FELTON’S ADDIE AS WELL AND EMMA WATSON’S.
