Star Wars Fans Flip Out Over Additional Changes to Original Trilogy on Blu-ray

Posted by on August 31st, 2011   Filed under: DVD and Blu-ray, Fandom, Sci-fi
Source: Moviefone

Well, you had to know it was coming, right? With the Blu-ray release of the Star Wars movies now just a few weeks away, review copies have started to find their way out to critics, and as a result, some disheartening details have come to light. It seems that George Lucas just couldn’t resist the urge to tinker with the original films yet AGAIN, and while the changes are fairly minor in the grand scheme of things, they are pretty ridiculous and wholly unnecessary if you ask me. For one, the puppet version of Yoda found in The Phantom Menace has been replaced with a fully CG one. This isn’t a huge surprise, considering that Yoda was CG in Episodes II and III. However, the bigger issue seems to be some audio tweaks to both A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, the latter of which adds Darth Vader screaming, “Nooooo!” in the Emperor’s throne room. I only wish I was joking.

The whole controversy was first uncovered by some folks in the forums over at TheForce.Net, but Lucasfilm has since confirmed the changes to Moviefone. The change to A New Hope involves tweaking Obi-Wan’s Krayt Dragon call, which he uses to scare off the Tusken Raiders and save Luke. The new version sounds a little more goofy, although I don’t know I would have picked up the difference myself if I didn’t know ahead of time.

As for the throne room scene, it seems that good ol’ George is obsessed with the idea of repetition and symmetry in the trilogies, and he wanted this to echo Darth Vader’s “Noooo!” from the end of Episode III. What he clearly doesn’t realize is that this scene has been mocked incessantly online and that fans wince every time they hear it. So now when he is watching the Emperor fry Luke, we hear him utter “Noooo!” a couple of times. When you watch the clip it’s not quite as bad as it sounds, but it’s still an absolutely idiotic addition.

So what do you think… are these alterations sacrilege or are they simply not worth getting worked up over? Will you still buy the Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray or has this changed your mind? Check out the clips of the changes below and see what you think.



  • This classic scene in Jedi is powerful specifically because Vader doesn’t speak. A completely unnecessary addition. I can’t see anyone who grew up on these films giving it a pass. (I still hope it’s a joke).

  • I’m convinced that Lucas gets off on enraging fanboys.

  • djangoscud

    I wanted the cut scenes of Biggs, The wampa attack on the Hoth base, and the sandstorm after Jabba’s sail barge explodes. I did NOT want this shit. Also, what docs are included? It would be great to include the CBS specials, the HBO special From Star Wars to Jedi, and I still would like to see the famed Holiday Special for myself. The versions of the films from the original three that were released in the black box design would also be nice. None of that Greedo shoots first, CGI droids floating everywhere BS

  • James

    You can get all upset as much as you want, but in the end Star Wars is George Lucas’s baby. He can do what he pleases, he created it. This work is the work of his life and if toying around with a few minor things gives him some joy, then so be it. No reason to get upset, just go watch the original trilogy on dvd if it means that much to you.

  • Kent

    Film critic Walter Chaw on that piss poor defense:

    “The argument that the films are Lucas’ to do with as he pleases is reductive at its heart: it’s art-killing to declare that once art is introduced into the popular conversation, it nonetheless belongs to the artist alone. If DaVinci were alive, would he feel the tickle to give the Mona Lisa a makeover? (Modern threads, modern setting?) What does it mean to say that someone has the right to vandalize his or her own creations? Should Max Brod have respected Kafka’s wishes that his manuscripts be destroyed upon his death? Director’s editions are all the rage, but it’s only with Star Wars that the director in question declines to make the unaltered editions of his pictures available [on Blu-ray]–or to even answer questions regarding his edits. Both Apocalypse Now and Apocalypse Now Redux are readily available to buy–to see The Empire Strikes Back with that line about droids not tasting very good, you gotta do a little digging for what’s probably a rental copy in an inferior format.”

    I’m not even a big Star Wars-fan–but that ROTJ change is beyond horrible. Maybe the most dramatic, and yes, emotionally satisfying scene in the whole trilogy. Now ruined.

  • I have never purchased the series on DVD, because I want only the theatrical versions. I feel that once a movie had been released, it no longer belongs to the director, but the fans as well. To change it, even if it wasn’t your “vision,” changes the fan’s movie. Leave the movie alone, and make a different movie to satisfy your vision.

    I will not buy these blue rays.

  • James

    That all makes sense. I understand. I being someone who likes to film and has been doing so for 7 years now knows how fun it can be to go back and re-edit and tinker with certain things. Never huge changes, maybe a different song to drop in there or some color correction stuff. I made that video, it is mine and came from my creative mind…so over anyone else, I still have the most right to do what I please with it. Your side of the argument isn’t wrong either. I would understand more if the changes were very dramatic, but adding a no or slightly changing Obi-Wan’s call…really? I don’t think it’s something to get upset about. I could see the change being bad if it were something like Luke getting his left hand cut off or something more dramatic of nature like that. This is just my opinion however and the opinion of someone who has lost interest in the Star Wars series over the years.

  • Jan

    This total and utter bullshit, the NOOOO scene is now so cringe worthy. It remainds me of the maid in Family Guy. Jesus Christ

  • Niklas

    I don’t really care about the obi-wan thing but the Darth Vader NOOO is really bad and makes the scene a lot worse

  • Anthony

    I saw the Star wars films long ago, like in 1997, and barely remember them. I’ve always been wanting to watch them again, so I can stop being such a noob, but with all the changes that have been made, even to the DVD releases, i’m starting to have doubts. Maybe I should pull my Dad’s VHS copies out and watch them…oh wait, those are the re-released ones, where Han doesn’t shoot first.

  • M.

    I understand everyone’s frustration. If you’d like to vent a little more, PLEASE “fan” the Facebook page: “Save Star Wars – Ban The Blu-Rays”

  • M.

    Sorry! The Facebook page name is:
    “Save Star Ware – BOYCOTT The Blu-Rays”
    My mistake.

  • Xidor

    I guess I will be stuck watching my laserdiscs for the rest of my life.

  • Vikke_AJ

    Yeah, I was going to buy the set for the deleted scenes but now I just cancelled the pre-order. I guess I just watch one of the unofficial versions floating around.

  • Gil

    Well, the good thing is that only the terrible films in the trilogy are getting fucked with. Empire doesn’t seem to be affected as far as I’ve heard and that’s the only noteworthy film in the trilogy, the rest of them are throwaways.

  • I just want to thank young George Lucas for contributing to the dreams of my childhood.

    I’d also like to notify the local PD that some crazy old pervert named George Lucas is now repeatedly violating my inner child.

    Et tu, Lucas?

  • Jonny Ashley

    Would like to reiterate that George Lucas wasn’t the only one who worked on Star Wars.

  • Perhaps not, Jonny, but you would be foolish if you didn’t think that all the decisions, especially the ones that make changes to the original trilogy, aren’t going through Lucas in some way.

    Besides which, Lucas is a figurehead for the whole of the Star Wars universe, being the creator of the thing.

    It just makes it easier to have a single person to blame rather than saying so-and-so did this and someone else did that and I blame this 3rd guy no one has heard of.

  • Liney

    This is fuct. I know some people might think that’s over reacting, but if you can’t watch a scene that previously you found powerful without now cringing, to me that screws the experience up.

    It’s a bit like The Beatles reissuing their discography with female backing vocals plastered all overt the best bits, and deleting the original versions. Why!??

  • swarez

    I guess we just have to wait until he dies so that the executives at Lucas Films can release the originals.

  • I don’t understand….what’s Star Wars?

  • El Ultimo Hombre

    For those who don’t know, the unchanged theatrical versions of the original were released on DVD in 2006. They each come in two-disk releases with the special editions. The quality isn’t awesome and they’re non-anamorphic but they’re better than watching the special editions. Buy them (they’re cheap!) and just pretend like it’s 1996 again.

  • NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF,NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF,NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF,NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF,NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF, NERDS, NERDS, BEATIN OFF, BEATIN OFF,

  • Dennis

    I was actually thinking about upgrading to the Blu-ray versions but this whole “NOOOO!” thing has definitely convinced me otherwise. Being 29 years junior to GL, I’m in agreement with swarez, I’m holding out until he bites it and LucasFilm releases the real deal.

  • Bas

    Seriously, I’d like a Blu-ray version where I can go into a menu and create my own edit by selection (i.e. “only Han shoots”, “original Krayt shout”, etc).

    The thing is, not all the changes are bad and there are even some that should still be made imo (for example: fix the fucking Storm Trooper bumping his head!), but for those that want the original simply include it on every new release (is that so difficult?)!

  • Bas

    BTW, this new version of Jedi with Vader shouting immediately reminded me of the moronic addition of Luke screaming when he jumps off the ledge in Empire. And that was much worse, because at least Vader is now saying what he’s feeling in the moment, while Luke screaming in his fall makes it seem like he fell by accident instead of by choice.

  • Beerdude

    Ok, I must post this link which really cracked me up back in the days. And apparently still relevant http://www.bbspot.com/news/2003/01/jaromir.html

  • Well put, Bas: “Seriously, I’d like a Blu-ray version where I can go into a menu and create my own edit by selection (i.e. “only Han shoots”, “original Krayt shout”, etc).”

    Will so man special editions and re-relase, the world is ready for

    Star Wars: CHOOSE YOUR OWN EDITION Edition

  • Well put, Bas: “Seriously, I’d like a Blu-ray version where I can go into a menu and create my own edit by selection (i.e. “only Han shoots”, “original Krayt shout”, etc).”

    With so many special editions and re-relases, the world is ready for

    Star Wars: CHOOSE YOUR OWN EDITION Edition

  • Vikke_AJ

    Luckily there are nice fan-made editions out there… Star Wars Despecialized Edition looks pretty good.

  • patrik

    this is a travesty if true. I know some people who think it´s bs but I wouldn´t put it past that man. I hope his fucking kids like it cause they´re the reason he´s raped my childhood.

  • Falsk

    Yeah, I have the aforementioned 1996 dual-disc DVD set. Looks awwwful, but at least it’s the originals. Works for me…

  • patrik

    I’ve decide to cancel my pre-order of the blu-ray. I’ll wait til I see what improvements there are in terms of picture quality. Probably end up buying them later anyway but fuck George, why do you have to do things like this.

    He said it himself that “our cultural history must not be allowed to be re-written”.. Man of your words, eh?

  • Goon

    I won’t be buying this set, at least new. Maybe if I came across it at a discounted price at a used shop… I am not shaking with rage at the changes, because I am not a passionate fan at all, but it certainly reinforces my decision not to buy.

  • paulieq

    Im glad I like star trek and doctor who

  • kyri

    “nooo” it’s not that big of a deal.. the worst changes are those horrible CGI alien singers..

  • Narby

    Growing up in the late 80’s and 90’s I loved Star Wars, couldn’t get enough! A friend and I even skipped school our junior year to go catch Episode I on opening day…. shortly after that my love began to wain. Over time, and with the release of the other films in the prequel trilogy, I became indifferent. Now I really don’t care for Star Wars at all, I’m too put off by changes and the unneeded inclusion of CGI. One of the things that I loved about the original theatrical editions, and all older films, was the look of the movies and the old effects. I always felt that it was that old look that gave the films reverence and added to the feel of them by making them seem like classics, something from another era. The new trilogy feels shiny and overly clean and crisp. A fake world, where the original originals felt real and lived in. The only DVD editions I’ve ever purchased were bootlegs of the OT form ebay before the 1st official DVD release, and then the official 1st release. I haven’t watched those DVD’s in year and am teetering on selling them. I’ve come to the belief that George Lucas is one of the biggest Trolls alive and gets a kick out of tweaking his films to see the reaction of the fans and to be able to market them as ‘new and improved’ editions to unsuspecting moms and dads out looking to buy anything star wars for their kids. I’m done with these movies, been done for a while.

  • Aaric Rivad

    The changes are minor, but for anyone who grew up with the originals, they are extremely jarring. It’s obvious that Lucas has no idea what made Star Wars great; it’s become just another product that he cynically repackages to prey on our nostalgia.

    The original movies are gone forever, and so is my appreciation for George Lucas. I refuse to give that hack another dime.