Official Star Wars Thread

[Ben]

I am.

[Bookaroo]

Sideshow Collectibles and Lucasfilm present this dynamic depiction of Jedi Master Yoda and Count Dooku as they battle over the fate of the young Jedi Knights.The Duel with Dooku diorama is expertly sculpted in approximately 1:9 scale, standing over 10 inches tall.

( See video from this scene : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lig40TzCZJQ )


Diplomatic Mission Diorama . Aboard the Tantive. The detailed sculpture captures moment of evil in which Darth Vader exerts his dark power on the loyal Captain Antilles

( See video from this scene : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTnj-pkWN18 )

The Premium Format 1:4 Scale Speeder Bike and Scout Trooper figure is akin to the stop motion maquettes used in the making of the famous chase sequence in Return of the Jedi.


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COMING SOON !!!
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Star Wars Clone Wars Clone Trooper with Barc Speeder Vehicle
( Coming in July 2009 )


Star Wars Clone Wars Shadow ARC-170 Fighter Vehicle
( Coming in June 2009 )


May the force be with you

[GeorgeC]

From TheDigitalBits.com , rare Saturday update...!

"This is a rare Saturday post with some important breaking news: Lucasfilm's Steve Sansweet has reportedly confirmed, during a panel today at the C2E2* comic convention in Chicago, that the company is now working on a Blu-ray Disc box set of all six Star Wars films loaded with extras, for release "in the not too distant future." We're awaiting any kind of official statement from Lucasfilm - one MAY appear on Star Wars.com in the coming days. Nonetheless, MANY people who were in the panel began Tweeting reports of the news almost the moment the words left Sansweet's mouth. IGN has also reported the news with an actual quote from Sansweet: "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. We're finding all kinds of scenes from dailies that have never been seen before. Beyond all of those things that you know about... there are some real treasures." There is no other official information at this time, but we'll post additional details when and if they come in. HOWEVER...

Consider this Rumor Mill-worthy, but our own industry sources have actually been checking in with us in recent weeks on this very subject. Our latest information is that Lucasfilm tentatively plans the official Blu-ray release to happen in October 2011. Now, we've been hearing reports like this on and off for years, and until now little has come of it. So we've been waiting to say something here on The Bits until we had a hint of more official confirmation. But now that Sansweet has begun talking about the release, we feel more comfortable reporting on the word from our sources. Plans could obviously change and again, even though Sansweet has hinted that it's coming, none of this constitutes an official announcement. But if current plans remain unchanged, our sources say you'll be enjoying The Force in 1080p next October."



************

*C2E2 is a new Chicago-based comic book con that just held its first convention last week.

It's competing with the traditional Chicago Comic Con (now managed by Wizard Entertainment, publishers of Wizard magazine and managers of many other comic cons across the US) that many people now have problems with... people just don't like the management at Wizard much.

[Randall]

Despite the shine that has come off the franchise in recent years, I can't help feeling pretty geeked up about a big ol' Blu-ray set loaded with extras. Hopefully they'll have alternate versions of the films, too, particularly the original Trilogy.

[spaz]

if it's the last 3 SW's then it's kind of like saying that "The Apple Dumpling Gang" is being released on Blu ray

[Ben]

Hey! I'd love The Apple Dumpling Gang on Blu-ray!

Seriously, though, is it any surprise that work is being carried out on these? I mean, practically every major franchise is being worked on for their ultimate BD debuts, even if the releases are far off in the future to tie in with marketing, etc.

Indiana Jones has been hi-def mastered and is ready to roll, but there's no suggestion of a BD release (too close to the last DVDs? Waiting for Indy 5?) yet. Likewise with a lot of Disney classics: they're all dusted down and ready to go, but we'll have to wait for one or two a year so that the release cycles don't go screwy.

But to think that "the first three Star Wars movies are being readied for BD" is big news just isn't. Sure, it's nice to have a confirmation that they aren't just sitting there in a vault, but it's a late word too: In understand from another contact that work started on these last year, after they finished with Indy.

[EricJ]

And those who're waiting for "Does this mean we'll get an Ultimate Collection with the Han-shoots-first Archive versions?" seem to have forgotten that the reason the same fans were complaining about the earlier Archive Trilogy DVD releases ("It looks washed out, and it's letterboxed!") was that the film prints no longer existed and had to be up-dumped from the 90's laserdisc master.

Not sure if LD can be remastered for hi-def the same way that film/digital can, but until we hear otherwise, take that as a "No".

[Randall]

Except none of us actually believed Lucasfilm at the time. Hard to believe that they wouldn't have kept those original elements somewhere. It seemed like the "they don't exist" reason was only in George's mind. We'll see, I guess.

[eddievalient]

RE: Greedo shooting first:

Lucas has been spotted wearing a "Han shot first" t-shirt and has stated on at least one occasion that the reason he made that particular change was to avoid the film being re-rated PG13 in its theatrical rerelease. True or false? Who ever knows with Lucas?

[spaz]

highly unlikely. this choice was made out of political correctness. for some odd reason, as soon as a director has achieved overwhelming fame and fortune using weapons and violence as their canvas, they suddenly grow a conscience. it's weird. it also happened to Cameron just recently. as for Lucas, the PG13 thing doesn't wash. a Lucasfilm secretary can make a phone call to the MPAA and have it changed to whatever they want. Lucas has this power and control AND rules, over the buyers of his product.

[eddievalient]

Then why was Revenge of the Sith rated PG13? If Lucas really had the power, wouldn't he have wanted all the movies to have the same rating regardless?

[spaz]

i think the MPAA forced a PG13 rating on Sith because it was so awful. Sith was far more violent than Hope

[spaz]

secondly, regarding han and greedo, don't you find the logic a bit odd that in order to get a PG rating you have to turn the act of murder into the acts of attempted murder, then murder ?. then it's ok ?

[Dacey]

"Sith" had to get a PG-13 because of the scene of Anakin burning. At least that's what I seem to remember reading.

A similar scene had to be cut from the first "Narnia" film for the same reason. It was included on the "unrated" Extended Edition.

And why does it matter if Han shot first? I've never really gotten into that argument. *shrugs*

[EricJ]

Except none of us actually believed Lucasfilm at the time. Hard to believe that they wouldn't have kept those original elements somewhere. It seemed like the "they don't exist" reason was only in George's mind. We'll see, I guess.

Apart from rabid fandom, Blu-ray impatience, or buried resentments over Ep. 1...
Why is it so "easy" to believe Evil Conspiracies about Lucas?

I remember when disk fans were painting Lucas as Michael Eisner, Sam Walton and Bill Gates Combined for putting the first Phantom Menace DVD on hold while releasing the VCD overseas--
When we eventually realized that the months delay had been to finish restoring the CGI for the Deleted scenes (something new and unheard-of in that day, as Peter Jackson hadn't done it yet), even that was evil and sneaky: "Oh, sure, he only did that to turn around and placate the fans!"

So, of course, only having LD prints, or refusing to change the MPAA-determined rating of a movie where 9-yo. Jedi are killed and our protagonist is almost burned with lava, also have deep ulterior motives...
No, really, WHAT is it?--It can't still be the whole DiVX thing, as most of the '99 Phantom Menace whines were about.