Potential 4k Restoration Print of Star Wars: A New Hope Coming?

Want. Now.
Even with the black chroma key blocks around the TIE fighters!

 

What is a 4K restoration ?

 

4K = Ultra High Definition (UHD).

On a domestic UHD TV, "4K" is a tv and player capable of displaying 3840w x 2160v.
The 3840 wide measurment is commonly rounded up to 4000 and referred to as "4K".

Theres a slightly higher resolution 4K for cinemas, the resolution is 4096w x 2160v - true 4K
This Star Wars 4K restoration might be a 4K restoration for cinemas only maybe?

 

I doubt it's the Special Edition because those effects were likely not rendered at 4K to begin with back in the nineties.

 

It could mean that 'A New Hope' could get either a theatrical re-release with a pin-sharp new print, or a 4K bluray release. Or maybe both?!

 

A lot of theaters still don't have full 4K compatibility so probably for the blueray

 

Are we talking about the version that was release in the theaters back in 1977? Because I would rather stick with my Special Edition version, thanks.

 

This is likely Reliance Media Work's 4k scan.
Looks like they restored the original theatrical cuts, a few shots can be seen in their showreel:

Note that this is the 77 color grading.
I think there is a good chance they will release the original version in theatres and on Blu-Ray this year.

 

This is good news.

 

Those shots look great. I only hope they went back to the original plate elements for all the effects and recomposited everything.

Okay, after taking another look, I think they did use the original plates. Pretty sure I remember that x-wing shot having matte lines back in the day, and the motion blur along the edges is soft as it would be with a digital composite.

What do you mean this is the 77 color grading? How can you tell? The colors in the lightsaber shot look amazing. Those skin tones on Obiwan have never looked that good.

 

Slightly off topic, but I would like to see the whole Star Wars (Skywalker) Saga make its way to 4K one day.

Call me crazy, but I'd pay for a whole 4K box set of the saga. I can imagine it right now:

"The Star Wars Saga makes its 4K Ultra HD debut as part of the box set Star Wars: The Skywalker Legacy...

Available on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, this nine-film box set spans the entire Skywalker family legacy from beginning to end.

In the original trilogy, twins Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa team up with smugglers Han Solo, Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian, the Rebellion, Ewoks and the remaining Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, for a long fight against the Galactic Empire led by their father Darth Vader, formerly known as Anakin Skywalker.

In the prequel trilogy, the story of how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader is finally told. See the once Jedi Knight-turned-Sith Lord fight in the Clone Wars alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Mace Windu, fall in love with Padme Amidala - the Queen of Naboo - and struggle between the dark side and the light side of the Force under the influence of Chancellor Palpatine.

In the sequel trilogy, the Skywalker legacy continues with Kylo Ren, formerly known as Ben Solo, and Rey Skywalker. The fight between the dark side and the light comes full circle as Luke, Leia, Han, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, BB-8, Maz Kanata, Chewbacca, C3PO, R2-D2 and the Resistance take on the First Order - led by Kylo, General Hux, Captain Phasma, Supreme Leader Snoke and the Knights of Ren."

 

You said it! I'm also looking for to R1/ANH edits to have a smooth transition in quality. I'm just hoping to see them soon.

 

Sounds great, but Ep. II and III were unfortunately filmed in 2k digital. They could be upscaled to 4k, but that wouldn`t really make any sense.

Compare the two on the bottom. As far as I know, the Despecialized Edition`s color grading is based on actual 35mm film scans of the `77 film.

 

If they're matching the original color grading, I wonder if they'll retain things like r2d2's black panels in ESB... I do look forward to seeing a properly colored Hoth though, white not blue...

 

The question is... will it keep all of Lucas' edits, or will it be the theatrical cut? The only edit that I would consider necessary is the change of Palpatine in ESB to Ian McDiarmid, since they didn't keep the Emperor's original appearance, and his looks are really jarring compared to the rest of the series.

 

I prefer the Special Editions, but I would be excited for a 4K release no matter what. I got a 4K TV because of the PS4Pro, and if I could have one movie in 4K, I would choose Star Wars.

None of the Star Wars movies were filmed in 3D, but they already did a great job converting Episodes 1-3 to 3D (unfortunately the 3D versions of II and III were only shown at special events). Actually, TFA was also filmed in 2D and upconverted. So I think they can convert them to 4K too.

 

Some bad news:


It doesn't really add up though. I think Gareth Edwards saw the restoration in 2014, not 2012.

There have been some rumors that Disney wanted to release the OUT in 2015, but pushed it back to 2017 because ANH needed some work. They apparently requested a look at the LoC's print, which is the original cut of the movie.

 

Doesn't Fox still have the distro rights on everything except ANH (which they have permanent rights to) until 2020?

 

Im sure a deal can be reached. Now i know not all theaters r 4k ready but haven't most IMAX chains bin converted to 4k?