Star Wars rumors megathread...new movies, blurays, 3D releases, new deleted scenes...

[Hammock Parties]

Here's one of them. I jizzed my pants.

Lucas Announces Star Wars Blu-ray

The Star Wars Blu-ray release is now as official as it can be, as none other than George Lucas announced the films were coming to the format. "I wish I could say it's coming out this year, but it's coming out next year," Lucas said to the packed audience at the "Main Event" at Star Wars Celebration V today, which was moderated by Jon Stewart.

Speaking about what will be included, Lucas said, "They'll be different kinds of additional material," adding, "I think you've seen enough behind the scenes [material] for a lifetime. There's some really good material that will be included in there, [including] more deleted scenes that you haven't seen yet." Lucas said these newly released scenes would be kept separate from the film itself.

In a surprise appearance, Mark Hamill then joined Lucas and Stewart on stage, to introduce one of the new deleted scenes, which he said was his "original entrance" in Return of the Jedi. Hamill noted the scene was short, but that it was for the UPFs in the audience – the "ultra passionate fans."

We were then shown the scene, which would have taken place after Darth Vader arrives on the second Death Star at the beginning of Return of the Jedi. We see Vader walking down a corridor and into an elevator on the Death Star. We then cut to Vader inside his medication chamber, a la Empire Strikes Back. As Vader sits there, the camera moves into a close-up and we hear him reaching out with the Force. "Luke. Luke. Join me in the dark side of the Force. My son. It is the only way."

As Vader continues to repeat Luke's name, we cut to a tight close-up of Luke, insinuating he is hearing his father's voice. it's a very ominous shot of Luke, who is wearing his cloak and hood, with the shadows from the hood blocking out his eyes completely - in line with how Darth Sideous' face is mostly hidden. As Vader's voice fades away, the camera pans down to Luke's hands, and we see that he is using a tool to complete work on his new lightsaber. Satisfied, he puts the tool down and holds the lightsaber hilt up, igniting it – in what would have been the first reveal of the green blade.

We cut to a shot from the side and see Luke is sitting inside a cave on Tatooine, with C-3P0 standing outside, waiting for him – no doubt to receive his orders to head to Jabba the Hutt.

That was it for the scene, but the crowd erupted in cheers at what was indeed a very cool new moment, from films we are all quite familiar with.

The panel ended with one more surprise guest – Carrie Fisher. Alas, there were no other deleted scenes shown to us today, but Fisher cracked to Lucas, "Did you put the nude scenes back in?" She then turned to the audience and deadpanned, "There was a huge me and Jabba porn scene. That's what got me into drugs."

No further details were given on the Blu-rays as yet, which leave plenty to speculate about. It's safe to say from the Return of the Jedi scene being shown that this release will include all of the original trilogy, but while it seems likely the answer is yes, there was nothing definitive stated about the prequels being released simultaneously. And no, we didn't get any info on whether the original, pre-Special Edition versions of the films will be part of this set as well.

Suffice to say though, there will be more news to come in the months ahead, so keep checking IGN for more on the Star Wars Blu-ray release!

Update: About five minutes after I published this story, I was handed Lucasfilm's official press release for the Blu-rays. It confirms that all six movies are being released on Blu-ray and that the set is coming out Fall 2011 - so don't line up just yet! We're also told it will include, "documentaries, vintage behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, retrospectives and never-before-seen footage from the Lucasfilm archives."

BluRay set coming October 2011.

Star Wars Blu-ray Set in the Works
Posted April 17, 2010 08:10 PM by Juan Calonge

During a panel at the C2E2 comic convention in Chicago, Steve Sansweet, Lucasfilm's Director of Content Management and Head of Fan Relations, stated that the company has been working on a Star Wars Blu-ray set. "We have been at work for a couple of years working on—I won't call it the Ultimate Set because we keep finding stuff—but, a very full set of all six movies on Blu-ray with lots of extra material", said Sansweet.

Sansweet didn't give a date, but he said " it won't be in the too distant future."

The Digital Bits, quoting industry sources, says that Lucasfilm "tentatively plans the official Blu-ray release to happen in October 2011." Obviously, with the Alien Anthology coming later this year, a 2010 release of Star Wars can be safely ruled out, and considering that A New Hope opened theatrically in May 1977, late 2011 would be a natural choice for a 35th Anniversary Edition Anthology.

Re-re-release in 3D starts 2012 and will run through 2017 with ROTJ.

Lucasfilm Ltd. announced today that the live-action Star Wars Saga will be converted to 3D!

There are few movies that lend themselves more perfectly to 3D; from the Death Star trench run to the Tatooine Podrace, the Star Wars Saga has always delivered an entertainment experience that is completely immersive. Presented by Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm Ltd., the cutting edge conversion will take that immersion to the next thrilling level, with Industrial Light & Magic supervising the project.

Episode I The Phantom Menace is expected to be released theatrically in 2012.

A release date has not yet been determined.

"Getting good results on a stereo conversion is a matter of taking the time and getting it right," said John Knoll, Visual Effects Supervisor for Industrial Light & Magic. "It takes a critical and artistic eye along with an incredible attention to detail to be successful. It is not something that you can rush if you want to expect good results. For Star Wars we will take our time, applying everything we know both aesthetically and technically to bring audiences a fantastic new Star Wars experience."

And, what's this? MORE STAR WARS MOVIES? Can the world take it?

George Lucas is plotting to create new Star Wars movies at the ultra top-secret Skywalker Ranch.

This is déjà vu of the mid 90's when Uncle George starting tweaking the Holy Trilogy to gear up for the Special Editions. That was his first step in moving forward with the eventual prequel trilogy.

It's happening all over again, Lucasfilm is already hard at work converting the entire Star Wars saga into 3D which will be released starting with Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 2012. The word from our ultra top-secret Lucasfilm insider is that Lucas has gotten the itch and is already looking ahead into launching an entirely new trilogy in that galaxy far, far away.

What do we know? First of all, these new film will have nothing to do with the live action television series currently in development. That show already has over 50 scripts ready to go and plenty of pre-production time and money has been spent on artwork and storyboards. Once that show goes into production, Lucasfilm hopes to be able to produce at least 100 episodes since that is the threshold for syndication in the United States.

IESB has been told fans can expect the new trilogy after the entire saga is released in 3D which is expected to be complete around 2015 or 2016.

Uncle George's modus operandi has not changed, the plan is that he will self finance the new trilogy after he rakes in an expected $500 - $750 million dollars with the re-release of the entire Star Wars Saga in 3D and on Blu-Ray.

The ideal plan, according to our spy at Skywalker Ranch, is to be able to release a new Star Wars film within 24 months after the release of the last re-re-release (is that right?) of Return of the Jedi 3D.

Too early for story details but one thing that our source is certain about, they will not be prequels but instead sequels. It's not for certain if they will be the long awaited Episodes 7, 8 and 9 but could instead be Episodes 10, 11 and 12 or possibly even further out in the Star Wars timeline. And by giving space in the timeline, possibly even as far as 100 years or 1,000 years in the Star Wars universe future, Lucas avoids having to make these stories "fit in" with what the previous stories have told.

According to our sources, the most likely scenario for the films is that they will exist in the same universe but will not have anything to do with the Skywalker Clan. That story has been told, that starship has sailed.

What has caused this sudden change of heart for Uncle George? Well, besides the obvious possible billions that a new Star Wars trilogy will take in, our source tells us that George has gotten motivated with the success the Clone Wars animated series, the video games and also with the success of Avatar.

Can we expect Lucasfilm to confirm our story? Have they ever? Nope, I am sure that they will spin this or completely deny the story, but we will stand 100% behind our source.

Cliff Notes:

• ... new Star Wars film within 24 months after the release of the last re-re-release ... of Return of the Jedi 3D.

• ... most likely scenario for the films is that they will exist in the same universe but will not have anything to do with the Skywalker Clan.

• ... motivated with the success the Clone Wars animated series - the video games and also with the success of Avatar.

• ... they will spin this or completely deny the story - but we will stand 100% behind our source.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be over here in my cave, jerking it.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

I played SWCCG for like 3 years between HS and college. Sold most of my cards though. I had a huge collection, probably 2000 cards or so. Used to play in tournaments all the time.

That game was great, only CCG I ever got into. Until all my dark side cards got stolen out of my car. Still have my light side ones laying around somewhere.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by crispystl420

Not to hijack the thread but I just bought The knights of the old republic for ten bucks. It says it will play on a 360 has anyone had any experience with this?

Yep, I have played KOTOR on the 360. One of my favorite RPGs of all time.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by JD10367

As much as I love "Star Wars", I think George Lucas is the most overrated producer/director on planet Earth. Yes, the special effects were groundbreaking. Yes, the story was a creative mishmash of "Western plus Kurosawa set in space". Yes, it was a perfectly serendipitous meeting of events. But, much like how Spielberg lucked out with "Jaws" (having the shark not work changed the whole film), Lucas lucked out with "Star Wars" thanks to the music of John Williams and the re-edit that turned a crappy review version into the film we know today (held shots longer, built an epic sense of scope). "Empire" was a great followup. But "Return" started showing the cracks in Lucas's armor with those ****ing Ewoks, but it was forgivable because it rounded out the trilogy.

And then he made "Phantom Menace". And "Attack Of The Clones". And "Revenge Of The Sith". What tremendous pieces of epic shit. From Jar-Jar Binks to the 9-hour podrace with that two-headed announcer to Hayden Christiansen's horrible acting to the horrible comic-book dialogue... About the only good things those crapfests did was introduce us to Natalie Portman.

And then he went back and ****ed up the original three by "improving" them. Guido shot first? A computer-animated Jabba with Han Solo "jumping" over his tail? Go **** yourself with a splintery rake handle, Lucas. And you KNOW that one who sucks the penis was behind the worst parts of "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull****s"... the ridiculous portions of that film just SCREAM Lucas.

"Willow"? "Howard The Duck"? ANTIFREEZE.

I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure he did the "reworked" original trilogy before the prequels.

And some of us were introduced to Portman way before TPM.

[007]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure he did the "reworked" original trilogy before the prequels.

And some of us were introduced to Portman way before TPM.

She was great in Leon: The Professional.

[InChiefsHeaven]

I can't stand the idea of another 3 piece of shit films to follow up the last 3 piece of shit films...this dude is living off of some amazing shit from the late 70's and early 80's...and destroying the legacy of it.

Check out Red Letter Media's reviews of the prequels. Not only are they hilarious, they are dead on accurate as to why the prequels sucked.

3 more that don't even include the Skywalker clan? Seriously, what the **** is even the point???

[JD10367]

Spielberg > Lucas. Lucas was a one-trick pony.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Spielberg 1971-2002 > Lucas. Lucas was a one-trick pony.

FYP

Save Munich, Speilberg's been a hack since Catch Me If You Can.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

FYP

Save Munich, Speilberg's been a hack since Catch Me If You Can.

Im probably in the minority, but i really enjoyed Munich, The Terminal and War of the Worlds. Indy was blah..yes, but dude is still a whiz with the camera. He could direct shots in his sleep that would be better than most guys best effort.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

FYP

Save Munich, Speilberg's been a hack since Catch Me If You Can.

Well, he's only made a handful of films since then. "The Terminal" (2004), "War Of The Worlds" (2005), "Munich" (as you mentioned), and "Crystal Skull" (which I'll credit some of the crappiness of that one to Lucas).

Now include "Minority Report", "A.I.", "Saving Private Ryan", "Amistad", "Schindler's List", "Jurassic Park", "Empire of the Sun", "The Color Purple"... hell, even "Hook" and "Always" look better in hindsight than they did at the time. The other three "Indy" movies, "E.T.", "Close Encounters", "Jaws" of course... His body of work blows Lucas off the map as, IMO, Lucas has exactly one and only film ("Star Wars") to his real credit.

[bobbything]

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by bobbything

Says a guy with a Superman avatar.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Im probably in the minority, but i really enjoyed Munich, The Terminal and War of the Worlds. Indy was blah..yes, but dude is still a whiz with the camera. He could direct shots in his sleep that would be better than most guys best effort.

I loved Munich, which is why took it out of the list. Frankly, when Speilberg sticks to drama I like him a lot.

And being a whiz with the camera doesn't make him direct fewer pieces of crap.

Indy was complete crap. Not "blah". Shit. Fest. War of the Worlds was mediocre at best. The Terminal was OK. He's riding a wave of mediocrity since 2002.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by frazod

That scene is badass. Why the hell wouldn't they put it in the movie?

Maybe it never existed. Maybe....

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Well, he's only made a handful of films since then. "The Terminal" (2004), "War Of The Worlds" (2005), "Munich" (as you mentioned), and "Crystal Skull" (which I'll credit some of the crappiness of that one to Lucas).

Now include "Minority Report", "A.I.", "Saving Private Ryan", "Amistad", "Schindler's List", "Jurassic Park", "Empire of the Sun", "The Color Purple"... hell, even "Hook" and "Always" look better in hindsight than they did at the time. The other three "Indy" movies, "E.T.", "Close Encounters", "Jaws" of course... His body of work blows Lucas off the map as, IMO, Lucas has exactly one and only film ("Star Wars") to his real credit.

Well no shit. That's why I said Speilberg 1971-2002 is better than Lucas. Since then, except for Munich, he's been below average, IMO.

[Bowser]

50 million an episode? Do it George. You have that between the cushions of your couch, amirite?