Holy ****. I keep checking my calendar to make sure it's not 4/1.
I did the same thing after a friend told me about this.
The entire unaltered OT was released on DVD a few years ago, you guys know that right?
The only format in which the unaltered OT hasn't been released so far is blu-ray.
Yes, but it's in 480p resolution, and letterboxed, meaning that to view it full frame you have to put up with black bars and a tiny image. It's worse resolution than a DVD. It's passable and functional, but only barely.
Exactly. And this worked best on ESB.
Bingo.
This is pretty gut-wrenching. Disney's initial statement about the future of SW does not exactly inspire confidence. "We believe there is pent-up demand". Wow, that's...utterly board of directors, accountant thinking.
Perhaps, but think about what that also means for a restored, archival version of the OT? They know there's pent up demand for that, too. For me, seeing as how that's literally the only thing I really want from Star Wars anymore, I'd say this is good news. Everything after that is just gravy and sides.
Regarding the fan groups:
From Mary Franklin:
"Subject: Re: Rebel Legion status with new LFL/Disney?
Please pass this on to all the fan groups you know it you can.
###
Sorry to be brief but I am setting up a big company meeting Q and A at the moment.
The costumed Star Wars fan community and all Star Wars fans are vital to Lucasfilm and Star Wars. Our relationship is so very important.
Please know that we are carrying on business as usual, and you can continue to contact me as you always have. "
Calm, please.
That statement doesn't necessitate calm. It simply means that folks don't know until the Q & A session. Maybe afterwards some issues will be resolved and the fangroup relationships will continue as far as costuming goes.
I can pretty much guarantee that props and armour sales will be tolerated to a much lesser degree.
We'll see, pretty soon.
The fan group stuff is only risky in that they do public, organized events. Just making a prop in your basement has always been fine to do, or at least strongly defensible. It's the guys who are selling gear that have exposure here, but I'd honestly expect that they'll be left alone UNLESS Disney offers a competing product. But think about it. Even the "deluxe" Halloween costumes are still pretty cheap at around $40-80. Someone offering a replica suit for around, oh, $1000? Not really cutting into Disney's market.
It'd be the stuff like replica sabres cutting into Hasbro's market that you'd really have to worry about, I'd figure. I mean, granted, Disney could swoop in and shut down most of this stuff, but I kinda doubt they will. It'd just seem...pointless unless they're going to offer a competing product or there's a risk of trademark abandonment. If memory serves, copyrights can't be "abandoned" the same way, although you do risk a laches defense with an individual infringer.
You know, it is within the realm of possibility that they know the fan groups are part of what makes the whole thing go and don't want to tamper with it.
People can post things about actual disney characters and there's no denying the force that's been used, however, Snow White, Mickey Mouse, Sleeping Beauty, etc, weren't propped up (no pun intended) by fan groups for years. I think it's two different things to be honest.
The statment may not necessitate calm, but it doesn't mean it won't be business as usual either.
As others have pointed out, i've seen plenty of tron and marvel stuff that hasn't had issues.
I thinking trying to force a change on it is biting the hand the feeds you and is asking for bad press before the movies can be released - something they definitely don't want. Granted, they could still go vindictive as hell, i just don't see it myself.
That's what I'm saying. And think of all the Jack Sparrow stuff (which has been mentioned) that's been left alone.
opcornX-Wing to the PC/Console.
Oh man...don't tease me.
But what I REALLY want? A smuggler game. Like, Privateer with a first-person on-the-ground component, and a more robust, developed game world.
