The originalStar Warstrilogy has gone through numerous changes since the film left theaters , and some of those change have n’t precisely been for the good . The original trilogy began in 1977 withA New Hope , follow three years later on byThe Empire Strikes Backand culminating in 1983 withReturn of the Jedi . Of course , that was n’t the end of the Star Wars saga , but it was the last of one part of its overarching story .

TheStar Warsuniverse proceed its expansion in 1999 withStar Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menace , the first installment in the prequel trilogy . The intent of these movies was to provide more backstory to some character from the first three movies , specially Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker , who was the focal point of the prequels . This trilogy was not what fans were require , and the movies even terminate up affecting the original trilogy when Lucasfilm decided to remaster them to better accommodate the visual vogue of the prequels .

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That variant in particular has been intemperately criticized for years , but the originalStar Warstrilogy had already gone through some very significant changes a few years back , and it was n’t going to be the last clock time Lucasfilm was going to mess with it . If there ’s a ash grey lining in all this is thatStar Warsfanshave a duet of options to opt from when it comes to watching the first three motion-picture show .

Star Wars Theatrical Cuts

A novel Hopedidn’t remain intact for recollective . The flick break down through some minor change between its initial release in May 1977 and the wider release later that year , and before the foreign language print were made . These changes were primarily come to to special effects . The first one is when theMillennium Falconis being chased after leave Mos Eisley : the effects where the Star Destroyer is shooting at the Falcon were changed , with the first cut of meat featuring different explosions and flashes , do it look less refined . after , when Luke and company arrive on Yavin 4 , the outdoor shot with the matte picture of the temple was recomposited , and when the fighters take off from Yavin 4 , there ’s an extra cloud . The end credits were also redone ; a bug in composition at the beginning was remove , and a lot of wakeless gist and dialogues were slimly exchange . These are all very small details , but not as much as to not be comprehend .

The subtitleEpisode IV - A New Hopewas tot in 1981 to the hatchway crawl to fit with the sequel . The Empire Strikes   Backalso went through some elusive changes , with the 70 mm interpretation having both visual and audio differences to the 35 mm version . These changes were more insidious than the 1 inA New Hope , such as the Emperor ’s hologram not fading at the outset of his conversation with Darth Vader , andLando Calrissian ’s bank line “ when we find Jabba the Hutt and that bounty Orion , we ’ll contact you ” was bring down .   All of this happened when the   “ finished ” cut was handed over to the laboratory and reasoned facilities to gear up the 70 millimeter mark , and the film producer adopt this opportunity to make some adjustments . Unlike its predecessor , Return of the Jediwas unchanged – at least until the first exceptional edition .

1997 Star Wars Special Editions

Lucasfilm re - let go of the original trilogy in 1997 for the 20th day of remembrance ofA New Hope , and they made a mint of modification to all three movie . Their intent was to modernize the movies , create consistency with the extroverted prequels , and tote up all those effect they were n’t able to back in the former seventies and former 1980s . A New Hopewent through a number of variety , both ocular and in audio recording , but the biggest ( and most talked about ) one is all about Han , Greedo , and who pullulate first . In the original track , Han shoots Greedo , and Greedo dies . In the 1997 variation , the shot was altered to have Greedo shooting first and pretermit , with Han ’s drumhead digitally alter to dodge the shot . This variety was not well invite byStar Warsfans , nor was theaddition of CGI Jabba the Hutt .

change in the 1997 version ofThe Empire Strikes Backweren’t as large ( and controversial ) as those inA New Hope . They were mostly to clean up some scene ( such as the opening battle chronological succession ) , replacing some background details with CG persona , and alterations to some dialogues that did n’t affect the plot of ground . Return of the Jedialso dumbfound its dose of additional aspect , CG permutation , and other extra changes . Among the most notable ones are Max Rebo Band ’s song : in the theatrical cutting , the birdcall was “ Lapti Nek ” , spill the beans in the fictional language Huttese , and it was switch for a song called “ Jedi Rocks ” . The tool used for the dance orchestra ’s Isaac Merrit Singer , Sy Snootles , was replaced with CGI . Oola ’s last was extended with the summation of pellet that showed her in the pit . The call at the end of the movie , when the Rebel Alliance and theEwoksare celebrating their triumph over the Empire , was replaced with a score composed by John Williams titled “ Victory Celebration ” , and the force out ghosts shot was slenderly falsify , though nothing like what the follow release did .

2004 Star Wars Trilogy DVD Re-Release

Star Wars ’ original trilogywas deepen again for the DVD re - release in 2004 . Some of the changes made in 1997 were removed and more were made , along with another restoration job to make it look sporty and give it a higher definition . The controversial Han / Greedo scene inA New Hopewas altered again to make them both shoot simultaneously , though some contend that Greedo still managed to charge first . The plus of Jabba the Hutt from the 1997 version stayed but it was replaced by an improved CGI version to make him count more like the Jabba inThe Phantom Menace . This is also the interpretation that added a levelheaded impression to the stormtrooper who bumped his head on the threshold - frame . Not all changes were for the expert or to add to the story : the 2004 variation has various lightsaber misapprehension , with these changing color or not have any at all , and the flick is over - impregnate , give it a Battle of Magenta tint .

The Empire Strikes Backwent through some meaning changes in the main to make it fit with the prequels . Ian McDiarmid was summate in all scenes where the Emperor appears , put back the original histrion Clive Revill ( who render the representative ) and Marjorie Eaton ( who wore a masquerade to portray the character ) . Boba Fett ’s lines were also changed so they were speak by Temuera Morrison ( who played Jango Fett inStar war : Episode II - Attack of the Clones).Return of the Jediwasn’t unswayed either , and aside from the Han / Greedo scene from the first motion picture , this one has the most controversial changes of all . to match the events in the prequels , changes like digitally absent the eyebrow of actorSebastian Shawwere done . This because Anakin Skywalker was severely burned after the battle on Mustafar inStar Wars : Episode III - Revenge of the Sith . Shaw ’s eyes were also alter to blue to resemble those of Hayden Christensen , who played Anakin inAttack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sith .

What ’s more , Sebastian Shaw was replaced by   Christensen in the final picture whereAnakin , Yoda , and Obi - Wan ’s Force ghostsappear to Luke . But like many other things in this particular edition of the original trilogy , this change was n’t done with much attention to detail . Christensen ’s heading was placed over Shaw ’s and the organic structure was digitally altered to fit Christensen ’s . The details in the screen background remained entire and thus do n’t touch Christensen ’s head word and body . Lucas justified the addition of Christensen as Anakin ’s force ghost by saying that , after repurchase , Anakin return to his “ inside image ” , and so that ’s how he appears as a Force ghost . Plus , by this point , the victory solemnization ended up including locations from the prequel films , such as Coruscant and Naboo . The 2004 special variant is , arguably , the messiest of all , as it look unfinished and has several mistakes .

George Lucas with A New Hope imagery v3

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2011 Blu-Ray Release

Lucasfilm will , manifestly , never be amply satisfied with what they do to the originalStar Warstrilogy . Under the alibi of “ technology evolves ” , the trilogy went through another re - mastering process that included even more changes – many of those completely unneeded . A New Hopeadded a rock in front of R2D2 when conceal from theTusken Raiders , dispatch some physique from Han and Greedo ’s shootout , Luke ’s lightsaber color was corrected to blue during the shot where he ’s training in the Millennium Falcon ( but the rest of the lightsaber result were n’t correct ) , and many sound effects were either altered or added . The Empire Strikes Backhad minor change like removing a puppeteer outfit that was visible , the addition of a reflection on a window in Cloud City when a cloud motorcar passes by , and sparks were impart to the melting chamber whenChewbaccais searching for what ’s left of C-3PO .

reappearance of the Jedialso had many unnecessary changes – except for the restoration of most lightsaber shots , which were given their white cores back . The doorway at Jabba ’s Palace was made full-grown , CG palpebra were added to some Ewoks , and the infamous “ Emperor lick ” were finally removed . Probably the most “ notable ” increase was Vader muttering and then yelling “ no ! ” before throwing the Emperor down the pit . Like with several other changes to the original trilogy , many fans find this last one to be unneeded and to alter an emotional import into a “ risible ” one . With the Skywalker saga approach its end withStar Wars : boost of Skywalker , it would n’t be surprising if Disney came up with yet another version of the original trilogy with the intention of “ modernizing it ” and – quite possibly – total even more things . For now , Star Warsfans have four variant to choose from , and each spectator will decide which is well ( or more entertaining , depending on what they ’re looking for ) .

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