List of changes in Star Wars re-releases

The 1997 "Special Edition" of Star Wars depicts Greedo firing a shot at Han Solo shortly before Han responds in kind. In the original 1977 release, Han is the only one to fire. This clip shows the 2004 version.

This is a partial list of visual and audio alterations incorporated into the theatrical and home video re-releases of the Star Wars films. Dissatisfied with the initial theatrical versions of Star Wars (1977) and its sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), series creator George Lucas altered the films several times, changing their visual effects and sound quality. Changes were also made in an attempt to produce Lucas' ideal versions of the Star Wars films, which he could not achieve originally due to the limitations of visual effects in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In commemoration of the franchise's 20th anniversary in 1997, Lucas and his production company, Lucasfilm, digitally preserved and restored the original negatives of the first three films. In addition, new computer-generated (CG) special-effects shots, CG additions to existing shots, new scenes, and changed musical pieces were added. The alterations have been controversial among fans, giving rise to the phrase "Han shot first", which references one of the more contentious changes made to the original film.

For the original trilogy's 2004 DVD release, the negatives were re-scanned, the color timing was redone, and further changes were made to the films to fix continuity issues with the prequel trilogy. At the time, Lucas claimed the original films were "25 to 30 percent" of what he had intended and stated these DVD releases are the canonical versions of the original trilogy.^[1] However, the original, unaltered theatrical editions were released on DVD in 2006. The six films received Blu-ray releases in 2011: The original trilogy used the same masters as the 2004 DVDs with additional tweaks,^[2] and minor changes were made to the three films comprising the prequel trilogy.

George Lucas on the Special Editions

There will only be one [version of the films]. And it won't be what I would call the "rough cut", it'll be the "final cut". The other one will be some sort of interesting artifact that people will look at and say, "There was an earlier draft of this." The same thing happens with plays and earlier drafts of books. In essence, films never get finished, they get abandoned. At some point, you're dragged off the picture kicking and screaming while somebody says, "Okay, it's done." That isn't really the way it should work. Occasionally, [you can] go back and get your cut of the video out there, which I did on both American Graffiti and THX 1138; that's the place where it will live forever. So what ends up being important in my mind is what the DVD version is going to look like, because that's what everybody is going to remember. The other versions will disappear. Even the 35 million tapes of Star Wars out there won't last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version [of the Special Edition], and you'll be able to project it on a 20-foot-by-40-foot screen with perfect quality. I think it's the director's prerogative, not the studio's, to go back and reinvent a movie.

— George Lucas^[3]

Changes

Pre-Special Edition

Star Wars

1977 Theatrical audio versions

One of the earliest changes made to Star Wars was within weeks into its theatrical run. Star Wars was initially released in 70mm 6-track audio (closer to the equivalent of a 4.2 track as opposed to a 5.1 track). The more-widely distributed 35mm release had a 2-track Dolby Stereo matrixed 4-channel optical soundtrack. A mono mix was released in June 1977 for exhibition in cinemas with no Dolby Stereo support, which contains some changes from the stereo version (some of which were incorporated into subsequent releases if noted):

• A different klaxon, closer to the one heard in the Death Star, is heard on the Tantive IV after the ship has been hit.
• Beru Lars is voiced by a different actress (or possibly different takes by the same actress).
• R2-D2 beeps while he is looking at a dead Jawa during the damaged Sandcrawler scene. This sound was mixed into the 1993 Definitive Collection, the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD, and the 2011 Blu-ray.
• When Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO and R2-D2 head into the cantina, the cantina music can faintly be heard in the background.
• The cantina patron "Snake Head" (known later as Dice Ibegon) makes chirping sounds in the mono mix. A truncated version of this sound appears in the Definitive Collection mix, while the full sound effect was mixed into the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD, and the 2011 Blu-ray.
• In the cantina, when the two Stormtroopers walk by Han Solo and Chewbacca, Chewbacca growls softly. This was mixed into the 1993 Definitive Collection, the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD and the 2011 Blu-ray.
• While searching for the droids in the streets of Mos Eisley, the stormtrooper says "All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move on to the next one." Instead of "All right, check this side of the street. The door's locked. Move on to the next one." The line is also heard in a different voice in the mono mix.
• Chewbacca growls softly right before Han says, "Anyway, we should be at Alderaan in 0200 hours." This growl was incorporated into the 2004 DVD and 2011 Blu-ray but does not appear in the 1993 Definitive Collection mix or 1997 Special Edition.
• The Dejarik Holomonsters make more noise and sound more vicious. The 2004 DVD mix is different yet again, incorporating elements from both earlier mixes.
• When the Millennium Falcon comes out of hyperspace there is a pronounced deceleration, or "winding down", sound effect. This was added to the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD version and the 2011 Blu-ray version.
• After Han says, "Chewie, jam its transmissions", a radio sound effect is heard when Chewbacca flips the switches.
• A different sound effect is heard when the Millennium Falcon gets caught in the Death Star's tractor beam.
• C-3PO's tractor beam line was added to the mono version. This line was also included in the 1984 digital audio version, the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD version and the 2011 Blu-ray version. It was not included in the 1993 Definitive Collection.
• When reporting the disturbance in the detention block to Tarkin, the voice over the comlink says, "Governor Tarkin?" before "We have an emergency alert in detention block AA-23." It is also said in a different voice.
• When Chewbacca beats on the door in the trash compactor, a knocking sound is heard. This sound was mixed into the 1997 Special Edition, 2004 DVD, and 2011 Blu-ray, with a metallic clank to it.
• C-3PO's line, "Use the comlink? Oh my, I forgot, I turned it off." is from a different take.
• Luke's line, "What good will it do us if he gets himself killed?" is from a different take.
• The hard echo effect for Luke's line, "I think we took a wrong turn." is removed. This was also removed in the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD and the 2011 Blu-ray, but retained in the 1993 Definitive Collection.
• After Luke hands Princess Leia his blaster in the chasm swing sequence, it sounds like a .44 Magnum when she fires it. This is present in the Special Edition, but was changed back to a standard blaster sound in the DVD and the Blu-ray.
• The line "Close the blast doors!" was in the mono release. This line was also included in the 1997 Special Edition, the 2004 DVD version, and the 2011 Blu-ray version. It was not included in the 1993 Definitive Collection.
• Some of the lightsaber sound effects were slightly more pronounced in the Darth Vader vs. Obi-Wan duel. These were mixed into the 2004 DVD version and the 2011 Blu-ray version.
• A beeping sound effect is added while Han mentions the sentry ships approaching.
• Various beeping sound effects are heard when Luke charges up his gun turret in the Millennium Falcon. These sounds returned with the 2004 DVD version.
• The first three lines of Luke and Han's conversation about Han getting his reward and leaving are from different takes.
• In the Death Star battle, most of the static from the voice-overs heard in the control room and in the fighter planes is removed.
• Different sound effects are heard when the X-Wings lock their S-Foils in attack position. These returned with the 1997 Special Edition.
• Porkins's final scream is not heard in the mono mix.
• The lines counting down the Death Star's time to firing are in a different voice.
• Luke says "Blast it, Wedge! Where are you?" instead of "Blast it, Biggs! Where are you?". This was incorporated into the 1997 Special Edition and removed from the 2004 DVD and 2011 Blu-ray.

1981: Title change

Like in the other films in the series, the 1977 crawl begins to roll before the Star Wars logo dissolves. For the 1981 re-release, the crawl was modified, only beginning after the logo has dissolved; also, the subtitle Episode IV: A NEW HOPE was added to the crawl, one year after The Empire Strikes Back was released. The text was rearranged so that each paragraph did not end with a single word, as well as capitalizing 'Rebel' in 'rebel spies.' As a result of the reworked crawl, the initial Star Destroyer flyover was recomposited, removing a thick black matte line.^[4] The Episode IV: A NEW HOPE subtitle would appear in all future releases of the film, theatrical and home video, with the exception being the 2006 bonus DVD release of the unaltered film.

1985: VHS release

Ben Burtt supervised remastering of the sound mix for the 1984 digital audio version which was used for the VHS release of the film in 1985. C-3PO's tractor beam line was added to this mix. Aside from this line, better dynamic range, and a slightly wider stereo image, this version is almost the same as the 1977 stereo mix.

1993: Definitive Collection

• Another audio remix was produced for the 1993 Definitive Collection LaserDisc (which was repackaged in 1995 and known as the "Faces" VHS/LaserDisc release) and the 2006 bonus DVD release. This mix was a matrixed stereo version of the 1977 70mm 6-track mix, with brand-new sound effects added, such as glass shattering when Han and Luke shoot the cameras in the detention block. C-3PO's tractor beam line is, again, not present in this mix.
• The color timing in the 1993 Definitive Collection was altered slightly in the scene with R2-D2 in the canyon before he is captured by the Jawas. The older home video releases have this scene taking place in daylight, while the color in the 1993 Definitive Collection version is adjusted to make it appear more like twilight. This matched what was shown on theatrical prints. This was further changed in the 1997 Special Edition, when the image was darkened and the sky altered from blue to an orange sunset.

The Empire Strikes Back

The 70mm film version of the film included a number of visual differences from the more widely seen 35mm version. Since all subsequent home video releases have been based on the 35mm version, it is difficult to substantiate these differences; however, the list below was provided by Michael Matessino (who apparently saw the film 70 times theatrically in 1980) in Volume 2, Issue 1 of Film Score Monthly.

• After the probe lands on Hoth and moves frame left, there is an optical wipe to the overhead shot of Luke on his tauntaun, instead of a straight cut.
• After Luke wanders through the snow and falls face down, there is an optical wipe to Han instead of a straight cut.
• The bacta tank scene starts on a close-up of Two-OneBee and pans right to a closeup of Luke in the tank. It then cuts to FX-7 extending its arm to the tank. There is no cut to Leia, Han and C-3PO observing.
• In the snow battle scene, when Luke drops into the snow after throwing a charge into the Imperial walker, the AT-ST in the background has no atmospheric depth. It looks too close and small.
• In the Emperor scene, the hologram of the Emperor is already present in the first shot—it does not "tune in" gradually.
• When Luke falls from Cloud City into the Millennium Falcon, the Falcon’s radar dish is not added to the shot.
• The telepathy between Luke and Vader during the "Hyperspace" cue has straight cuts instead of quick dissolves.
• In the final scene, there is no tracked music from "Yoda and the Force". The scene begins with the first establishing shot of the rebel fleet, then cuts inside the Falcon for Lando Calrissian to say "Luke, we’re ready for take-off" (but a different take of this is used). After Luke says (voice over), "Good luck, Lando," scene cuts to inside the Rebel cruiser where Luke says "I’ll meet you at the rendezvous," etc. Not in this version are two more establishing shots of the fleet and an interim effects shot over which Lando says, "When we find Jabba the Hutt and that bounty hunter we'll contact you."

There were also a large number of audio differences between the 70mm version and the 35mm version, all of which were incorporated into all subsequent releases of the film (unless otherwise noted):

• On Hoth, right after C-3PO tells R2-D2 to "switch off", R2 beeps.
• When Luke collapses in the snow, he grunts as he lands on his face.
• Han says, "until I can get the shelter up" instead of "until I can get the shelter built."
• Luke says an additional "Ben... Dagobah..." just before Han says, "I thought they smelled bad on the outside."
• When C-3PO tells Luke, "It's so good to see you fully functional again," Luke replies, "Thanks, 3PO."
• The line, "headquarters personnel report to Command Center" is said three times instead of two.
• The line, "the first transport is away!" is said in a different voice.
• When R2-D2 is being loaded into Luke's X-Wing, C-3PO says "and" before saying "do take good care of yourself."
• Han's line, "transport, this is Solo. Better take off, I can't get to you. I'll get her out on the Falcon" is followed by "come on."
• In the asteroid field, after C-3PO says, "oh, this is suicide", he says, "there's nowhere to go."
• In the scene where R2-D2 is spat out by the bog beast, Luke says "You were lucky to get out of there," instead of "You're lucky you don't taste very good." This line was not in the 1993/1995 THX mix.
• Yoda says "AAHHH" when Luke points his blaster at him.
• Yoda says, "Yes, run!" before "Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the force."
• Yoda's lines, "but beware the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side of the force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight" are much louder and clearer.
• The Imperial fleet's establishing shot after the magic tree scene has a different TIE fighter sound effect.
• A different part of The Imperial March plays during the shot of the Imperial fleet right before Darth Vader kills Captain Needa.
• In Cloud City, after C-3PO says, "that sounds like an R2 unit in there. I wonder if it..." he says "Hello?" only once instead of twice.
• Before C-3PO gets shot, a different voice says, "who are you?"
• While C-3PO is on Chewbacca's back when they enter the carbon freezing chamber, the line, "now remember Chewbacca, you have a responsibility to me, so don't do anything foolish" is louder and clearer.
• When Luke knocks Darth Vader off the platform during their duel, Vader says "ooooh!" instead of an "aaargh!"

Early releases and broadcasts

During the era of the LaserDisc and CED videodisc systems, Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back were time-compressed (sped up) by 3% for initial single-disc issues; the 121-minute Star Wars became 118 minutes long, and the 124-minute The Empire Strikes Back became 120 minutes long. No scenes were modified. The time-compressed A New Hope has been used for some early CBS/Fox Video VHS issues and initial cable broadcasts on HBO, as well as years later for USA Network. (The pan-and-scanning on the HBO airings was visually different from the VHS issues.) The time-compressed The Empire Strikes Back aired on NBC for its broadcast premiere, and also aired later on USA.

1997: Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition

In early 1997, the Star Wars trilogy was re-released theatrically as the Special Edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original film. Special coverage on CNN in 1997 notes that Lucas spent $10 million to rework the original Star Wars, which cost $26.49 million (in 1997 dollars) to produce in 1977. Of the $10 million, $3 million was spent on the audio track. Lucas also spent $2.5 million each on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. All of the films have newer versions of the 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm logos.

Many large changes were made for the Special Editions, including the replacement of special-effects shots with brand-new CGI shots, CGI added to existing shots, the addition of new scenes and shots, and the replacement of musical pieces. These changes have been highly controversial among Star Wars fans, giving rise to the saying, "Han shot first".

Star Wars: A New Hope

• Additional dewbacks and search teams are visible as the Stormtroopers search for the missing droids. An Imperial transport can be seen taking off in the background.
• There is a new shot of the evening Tatooine sky that tilts down, transitioning to the scene in which R2-D2 is captured by Jawas.
• The Jawa sandcrawler is revised.
• The sunset progression is enhanced, with the sky darkened and stars added at the end of the sequence. The scene in which R2-D2 is captured is tinted red to resemble a sunset.
• The interface on Luke's viewfinder is altered.
• A new digital matte painting of the sandcrawler and extended sky is added when the Jawas are setting up shop in front of the Lars's farm. Artificial zooming-in is also present. More vaporators are added; they disappear in subsequent shots.
• There is a new establishing shot of Ben Kenobi's hut.
• Many new shots and elements are added to the Mos Eisley spaceport. There are new CG shots of the Mos Eisley skyline, and added people, Jawas, Stormtroopers, Rontos, and other creatures.
• The blur under the landspeeder is replaced with a more accurately shaped shadow.
• Ben Kenobi's line of "this place could be a little rough" just before they enter the cantina is a different take.
• New aliens are seen in the cantina.
• During Han and Greedo's conversation in the cantina, the word "yes" in Han's line, " Yes, I'll bet you have" is not audible (but still visible).
• In the cantina, Greedo fires first as Han dodges the shot and then returns fire on Greedo. This is one of the more famous and controversial changes to the film, giving rise to the saying, "Han shot first".
• A new scene has been added in which Jabba the Hutt confronts Han in the Millennium Falcon's launch bay. This scene was originally a deleted scene from the 1977 film, with actor Declan Mulholland playing Jabba. A computer-generated Jabba replaces Mulholland, accompanied with new dialogue recorded in Huttese.
• There is a new shot of the Millennium Falcon taking off from Mos Eisley.
• In the shot where the planet Alderaan is destroyed by the Death Star, an explosion ring is added.
• The Death Star docking bay is revised to be more consistent with the one seen in Return of the Jedi, most notably in the overhead shot when the Millennium Falcon lands.
• C-3PO's line describing the tractor beam's power systems has been restored after being omitted in previous stereo sound versions.
• Some shots of Imperial officers being shot by blasters have been censored. The first few frames of these shots have been replaced by extra frames from the previous shot, usually a shot of someone firing a blaster at the officer.
• When Han Solo chases a squad of Stormtroopers on the Death Star, he no longer runs into a dead end; he ends up at a hangar bay with many Stormtroopers and officers.
• The line, "close the blast doors!" has been restored into the scene where Han and Chewbacca, pursued by Stormtroopers, jump through the blast doors as they close.
• Two shots of the Millennium Falcon approaching Yavin have been completely re-shot.
• The Falcon can now be seen landing on the 4th moon of Yavin.
• A new digital matte painting is used in the establishing shot of the Rebel base temple.
• Additional fighters have been added to the matte painting of the Rebel hangar.
• A scene between Luke and Biggs Darklighter just before the attack on the Death Star has been inserted. This was originally a deleted scene from the 1977 film.
• There are new CG shots of fighters taking off. In the original version, the fighters appeared as white spots of light flying off into the distance.
• The fighters' approach to the Death Star is now presented as a single shot, instead of two shots in the original version.
• During the attack on the Death Star, many shots of the dogfighting and attack run have been replaced by brand-new CG shots.
• After Red Leader's unsuccessful trench run, the line "He's on your tail!" was added.
• The shot of the Rebel fighters flying away from the Death Star has been revised.
• The Praxis effect was also added to the destruction of the Death Star.
• When Luke, Han, and Chewbacca approach the throne, matte paintings of assembly members on the sides of the throne room have been digitally replaced with real humans.
• James Earl Jones is now credited as the voice of Darth Vader.
• "Luke's Theme" is partially repeated in the ending credits music to accommodate the added Special Edition release credits.

The Empire Strikes Back

• There are new shots on Hoth that show more of the wampa ice creature, including showing the wampa eating and later screeching when its arm is cut off.
• When Luke heads to the exit of the wampa's cave, his lightsaber's deactivation sound is heard, even though it does not actually deactivate.
• The Battle of Hoth was cleaned up, including fixing some instances where the blue-screen process caused the frames of the snow speeders' windows to be translucent.
• During the Battle of Hoth, Luke now says, "this is it" just before Zev Senesca's snowspeeder is shot down by the AT-AT walkers.
• When the Millennium Falcon enters the cave on the asteroid, in the original version, the planet Hoth can be seen through the main cave. This has been digitally erased in subsequent versions.
• Errors were corrected from the original version wherein the blue rank indicators on Imperial uniforms became black.
• There is a new CG shot of Slave I pursuing the Millennium Falcon out of the Star Destroyer's floating garbage.
• In the opening shot of Cloud City, the Cloud Car was replaced by a Tibanna refinery.
• There are new CG shots of Cloud City's skyline.
• Several wall panels have been digitally replaced with windows to show more of Cloud City, correcting one of director Irvin Kershner's complaints about shooting the film.
• When Luke knocks Darth Vader off a platform during their lightsaber duel, his muffled scream is replaced with the same scream he makes when Luke sprays him with the severed tibanna gas nozzle earlier in the duel.
• Lando says "Attention" twice instead of once when he speaks on the Cloud City public address system.
• Shots of people listening to Lando on the public address system have been added.
• Luke screams as he jumps off the platform in Cloud City. The 1997 Special Edition is the only version to feature this scream, which appears to be a dub of Palpatine's scream as he falls to his death in Return of the Jedi. It was removed from the DVD and Blu-ray releases, restoring the scene's theatrical version.
• Darth Vader's line, "bring my shuttle," has been changed to "alert my Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival." After this line, a wide-angle CGI shot has been added showing Vader boarding his shuttle. To accommodate this added shot, music originally played when Vader informs Luke he is his father is added for 5 to 10 seconds.
• A digital hatch has been added to replace the white light that appears when Lando opens the outer hatch of the Millennium Falcon to rescue Luke.
• In space, R2-D2's panels are colorized blue replacing the original black. (The black version was used in bluescreen shots in all three films of the original trilogy.)
• "The Imperial March" is partially repeated in the ending credits music to accommodate the added Special Edition credits.

Return of the Jedi

• In Jabba's Palace, Max Rebo Band's original musical number, "Lapti Nek" has been replaced with "Jedi Rocks". The scene contains new shots including new CG aliens. The puppet of alien singer Sy Snootles is replaced with a new CG version. (However, prior to the number, the puppet Sy can be seen with her original headdress feather in place.)
• Nine new characters were added to the Max Rebo Band: Joh Yowza, Umpass-stay, Ak-rev, Barquin D'an (Figrin D'an's brother), Doda Bodonawieedo, Greeata Jendowanian, Lyn Me, Rappertunie, and Rystáll.
• There is an additional scene of Oola in the Rancor pit. In the newly shot scene, Oola is played by Femi Taylor reprising her role 14 years after the original film.
• Boba Fett is briefly shown flirting with the Max Rebo band dancers Rystall and Lyn Me at Jabba's palace.
• Subtitles have been added to the dialogue between Boushh and Jabba the Hutt when discussing the bounty for capturing Chewbacca, although C-3PO still interprets the conversation.
• Live action elements, before scenes at the Pit of Carkoon, of a herd of wild Banthas on Tatooine have been digitally replicated.
• The Sarlacc now has extra CG tentacles and a CG beak at its center.
• When Han attempts to rescue Lando from the Sarlacc, the skiff rocks more dynamically when it is shot rather than simply tipping forward.
• When shooting the sarlacc tentacle, Han says, "it's all right, I can see a lot better" rather than the original "it's all right, trust me."
• CG ropes have been added around Han's ankles when he dangles from the skiff above the Sarlacc.
• Before the Emperor's arrival, in the original version, four TIE fighters fly from behind the camera toward the Death Star and disappear shortly before the cut to the next shot. This is corrected and the fighters continue heading toward the Death Star.
• During the space battle, Lando now says, "we're sure in the middle of it now" directly before he says, "c'mon Han old buddy, don't let me down."
• As with the destruction of the first Death Star, the second Death Star explodes with the Praxis effect.
• After the Empire is defeated, scenes of celebration on Bespin, Tatooine, and Coruscant (appearing on film for the first time) have been added.
• For the ending celebration, the musical theme "Ewok Celebration" has been replaced with a new John Williams composition, "Victory Celebration."
• During the end celebration, a brief shot of Luke hugging Wedge Antilles has been inserted.
• The Force Ghost scene has been edited. In the original version, there is a medium shot of the ghosts of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, cut to a shot of Luke rejoining his friends, and then another long shot of Anakin, Obi-Wan and Yoda. In the Special Edition, the medium shot is split in two by the shot of Luke rejoining his friends. After the medium shot, there is another cut to Luke, and then a cut to the long shot of the ghosts.
• "Parade of the Ewoks" is partially repeated in the ending credits music to make room for the new Special Edition release credits.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 2001 DVD Release

• Sebulba's subtitles during his enraged talk with Anakin originally read, "You won't walk away from this one, Skywalker... you slave scum!" For the DVD, "Skywalker" was removed from the subtitle, since Sebulba does not actually say Anakin's last name in the scene.
• Watto's celebratory cry of "Sebulba!" is removed.
• The podracing sequence is extended. Such enhancements include a scene with Anakin facing off with Gasgano, Anakin losing one of his engines, only to recover it, and more.
• The air taxi sequence is reincorporated.
• Orn Free Taa's human aides are replaced by Twi'leks.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones: The IMAX Experience

Along with the 35mm and DLP theatrical releases, Attack of the Clones was also released in the IMAX format under the title Attack of the Clones: The IMAX Experience. Because of a technical limitation on the size of the IMAX film reel at the time, the run time of the film was two hours. The following are some of the scenes were cut from the IMAX version to fit the new run time:

• The Jedi Council meets with Palpatine after the first assassination attempt.
• Obi-Wan in the Jedi Archives
• Anakin complaining about Obi-Wan's mentorship skills to Padme
• Padme and Anakin meet with Queen Jamillia on Naboo.
• The meadow picnic scene
• Anakin riding on a shaak
• Dooku speaking with Obi-Wan while Obi-Wan is being held prisoner on Geonosis
• Anakin and Obi-Wan's initial meeting with Padme
• Bail Organa's lines are all removed.

Also due to the limited size of IMAX platters. The closing credits are played in a slide-show format rather than the traditional upward scroll.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones DVD Release

This version is identical to the digitally-projected theatrical release of the film.

• Several speeders were removed from a shot during the Bounty Hunter pursuit scene.
• New dialogue was added to the scene where Anakin confesses to the Tusken slaughter.
• After Padmé falls out of the gunship on Geonosis, a clone trooper asks if she is all right. Her alert response of "Yes" has been changed to a more realistically groggy "Uh-huh".
• Anakin's mechanical hand now holds Padmé's hand during the closing wedding sequence (this was originally included in the DLP theatrical release of the film, but not in the 35 mm film version).
• During their duel on Kamino, a shot of Jango Fett headbutting Obi-Wan is removed from the UK version of the DVD. This was also cut from the theatrical release in order to obtain a PG rating from the BBFC.
• Moments before Mace Windu decapitates Jango Fett, sparks and a slight puff of smoke from Jango's jetpack can be seen, signifying that his jetpack malfunctioned.

2004: Star Wars Trilogy DVD release

On September 21, 2004, a DVD box set of the original trilogy was released with further changes. These DVDs also received digital restoration and visual enhancement by John D. Lowry. All three films feature an extensively altered color palette, resulting in issues such as crushed blacks, strange blue or magenta color casts, miscolored lightsaber blades, and many other anomalies.^[5] The new 5.1 audio mix of A New Hope also had the music's left and right channels swapped in the rear channels, and in several instances the music was nearly completely mixed out of the film. Lucasfilm at the time claimed that these issues were "deliberate creative decisions",^[6] but the later releases of the movie starting with Blu-ray had them fixed.^[7]

Note that in each film, the ending credits have remained unchanged from the 1997 Special Edition releases. Thus, they do not reflect such changes as Ian McDiarmid's Palpatine in The Empire Strikes Back or Hayden Christensen's Anakin in Return of the Jedi. However, the format of the ending credits was changed to that of the prequel trilogy.

Episode IV: A New Hope

• Before R2-D2 and C-3PO enter the escape pod, a beeping sound is heard when R2-D2 opens the door to the escape pod.
• When the Jawa Sandcrawler stops outside the Lars Homestead, C-3PO says "we've stopped" before telling R2-D2 to wake up.
• The long shot of Luke's speeder in the canyon with the two Sand People taking aim has changed. The speeder is now seen in detail, instead of being a moving white blob.
• Obi-Wan's scream to scare off the Sand People has been changed to a higher-pitched wail. The original scream sounded similar to a dewback. The new scream sounds similar to a krayt dragon.
• The scene where Luke ignites his father's lightsaber for the first time features a revised lightsaber blade.
• The shot of Luke's landspeeder entering Mos Eisley has been redone. The pink tint is removed from the Mos Eisley entrance scene.
• The Han vs. Greedo scene is redone again. Han's original line, "Yes, I'll bet you have" has been restored.
• The CG Jabba the Hutt's appearance has been revised. Also, when Han steps on Jabba's tail, Jabba reacts more strongly. During the scene, shadows of Han Solo can be seen on Jabba's body.
• When the two Stormtroopers exit the Millennium Falcon, one of them now says, "there's no one here."
• When the docking bay controller tries to contact TK-421, slightly audible static can be heard over the communicator.
• The Matte painting in the detention block has been replaced with a digital extension, making the corridor look longer. The extension's perspective has been edited to make it appear more realistic.
• The dianoga's eyestalk now blinks.
• In the shot where Luke gets pulled underwater by the trash compactor monster, Leia's cry of "Luke" has been retimed so that it is heard when she mouths it. The original and Special Editions had it heard about a second after she mouthed it. This is only noticeable in the widescreen versions (Leia is pan-and-scanned out of the fullscreen version).
• The writing on the Death Star tractor beam control panel has been changed from the Latin alphabet to the standard Star Wars Aurebesh alphabet.
• The lights in the tractor beam control room are now green.
• A "bump" sound has been added to when a stormtrooper bumps his head on the door while breaking into the control room.
• Luke and Leia's echo when they are trapped in the Death Star chasm is now more convincing.
• The duel between Obi-Wan and Vader features revised lightsaber blades.
• As Vader approaches the hangar where the Millennium Falcon is docked, his lightsaber blade is red, as it should be. In all previous versions of the film, the blade was uncolored.
• The music has been flipped in the left- and right-rear channels, and has been quieted or eliminated from some portions of the attack on the Death Star.
• The line, "he's on your tail!" that was added for the 1997 Special Edition has been removed.
• The code cylinders on Grand Moff Tarkin's uniform no longer move up and down between shots.
• The shot of the Y-Wings descending to make the first attack run has been fixed. Originally, the two lead Y-Wings disappeared too early, and only the third Y-Wing exited the frame properly. Now all three move smoothly out of frame.

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

• Most shots inside the Millennium Falcon have been cropped slightly.
• In the scene where Darth Vader speaks to the Emperor via hologram, the Emperor is now portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, who played the character in the rest of the saga. In the original version and the Special Edition, the Emperor was portrayed by an uncredited actress (Elaine Baker, wife of Rick Baker (makeup artist)) wearing a specially made mask with chimpanzee eyes superimposed over her own, with the voice dubbed in by Clive Revill.^[8] A few lines of new dialogue have been added as well, in which the Emperor informs Vader that their new enemy is the "offspring" of Anakin Skywalker. McDiarmid actually filmed this scene during principal photography of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
• The lines spoken by Boba Fett are now in the voice of Temuera Morrison, the actor who played Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Boba Fett was originally voiced by Jason Wingreen.
• The line, "The first transport is away!" is no longer pitched-down to disguise the fact that it is Mark Hamill's voice.
• The pink tint is removed from the initial shot of Cloud City.
• When Luke confronts Vader in the carbon-freezing chamber and turns on his lightsaber, the sound from the original release is overlapped in this scene by the sound produced by Luke's new lightsaber in Return of the Jedi.
• As Luke falls from the Cloud City platform after dueling with Vader, he no longer screams. The scream was added in the 1997 Special Edition.
• In the original version and the 1997 Special Edition, when Darth Vader asks if the Falcon's hyperdrive is deactivated, Admiral Piett's rank plaque and code cylinders are on the wrong side of his uniform. This is corrected.

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

• Anakin Skywalker's eyebrows have been digitally removed, to match when he got burned in "Revenge of the Sith". His eyes have also been changed to blue and minor cosmetic alterations have been made to his face to more closely resemble the Anakin portrayed by Hayden Christensen in the prequel trilogy.

Original scene with Sebastian Shaw as Anakin Skywalker (above), retouched version with Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker (below)

• When Anakin, Yoda, and Obi-Wan appear together as Force Ghosts at the end of the movie, Sebastian Shaw's head is replaced with Hayden Christensen's, showing a young Anakin.
• After the Empire is defeated, a celebration shot on Naboo has been added. A Gungan, originally presumed to be Jar Jar Binks, says, "Weesa free!" Nevertheless, Jar Jar is not listed in the Star Wars databank as appearing in Return of the Jedi. The rumor of Jar Jar appearing in the film was officially debunked in an episode of The Force-Cast in which it was revealed that the unnamed Gungan was voiced by assistant sound designer Matthew Wood, who also voiced General Grievous in "Revenge of the Sith".
• In the Coruscant celebration shot, the Galactic Senate and Jedi Temple have been added to the background.

2006: Star Wars Trilogy DVD release

In 2006, a Limited Edition DVD box set was released. These individual releases included the 2004 DVD versions of the original trilogy, and a bonus disc for each movie containing the "original theatrical" versions.^[9] The original theatrical versions were not from a high-quality source, but were rather primarily the transfers used for the 1993 Definitive Collection LaserDiscs. The original title crawl for Star Wars was spliced in, replacing the updated crawl created for the 1981 theatrical re-release. This makes it the only home media release to contain the true theatrical cut of the original film. The video transfers were in 4:3 letterboxed widescreen, as opposed to 16:9 anamorphic widescreen. The video also had excessive grain, low contrast, and serious aliasing. Motion smearing, as a result of primitive digital video noise reduction (DVNR), caused moving objects to be blurred and leave behind a trail of their own shape. The audio mixes were the same Dolby stereo surround tracks from the Definitive Collection Laserdisc.

2011: Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray release

The 2011 Blu-ray release features all six films along with extensive special features. George Lucas stated, "there's some really good material that will be included in there, more deleted scenes that you haven't seen yet." One of the deleted scenes is an alternate opening to Return of the Jedi.^[10][11]

The 2011 Blu-rays of the original trilogy were made from the same scan as the 2004 DVDs, and feature the same color correction as the 2004 DVDs. Some lightsaber errors from the 2004 DVDs were corrected for the 2011 Blu-rays, but many other shots remain unrevised.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Comparison between the puppet of Yoda and the computer-generated model.

• A new blurring effect is used when Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn use Force Speed to escape the droidekas.
• The medium shot of Nute Gunray and Rune Haako observing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escaping the droidekas is replaced with a long shot.
• In a scene with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan discussing Anakin Skywalker's fate on Coruscant, the sun was brightened from orange to white.
• The puppet of Yoda has been replaced with a CG model.

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

• During the chase on Coruscant, when Anakin and Obi-Wan pass through the power couplings, several shots are rearranged.
• During Anakin's nightmare scene, a voiceover of his mother Shmi is added, saying "Anakin, help me!".
• After Yoda saves Obi-Wan and Anakin from Count Dooku's falling pillar, the reaction shots of Yoda and then Anakin and Obi-Wan are moved to before the shots of Dooku escaping on his ship and Padmé Amidala and the clonetroopers arriving and firing at him, which created an irregularity in background music.

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

• The scene in which Obi-Wan encounters General Grievous on Utapau and the Clone Army arrives is altered, adding dialogue from the troopers as they land on platform.
• The Kashyyyk headquarters rooftop was rendered to appear more significantly aged by adding moss and rust.^[12]
• The transition from Padmé's ship to Vader on Mustafar is changed from a straight cut back to a wipe, restoring the original theatrical release.

Episode IV: A New Hope

• The blue door to R2 and C-3PO's crashed escape pod is desaturated.
• In the scene where Obi-Wan discovers R2-D2 hiding in an alcove, rocks were digitally inserted in front of R2-D2, which made some confusion among the fans, since the new hole was smaller than R2-D2.
• Obi-Wan's Krayt Dragon call was changed again.
• The shot of Han and Greedo firing at each other was shortened by several frames, so that they shoot nearly simultaneously.
• The audio channel swaps during the attack on the Death Star from the 2004 DVD are corrected.

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

• In the shot of the wampa mauling Luke's Tauntaun, a mistake showing the puppeteer's arm and the puppet rig has been corrected.
• When Luke is approaching Dagobah, R2 D2's panels were originally black due to the blue screen - they have now been turned blue.
• In an exterior shot of Cloud City in which Leia waits for Han, a reflection can now be seen in the window.
• In the scene in which Chewbacca retrieves C-3PO's parts, the originally purple furnace is now orange and has additional sparks.

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

• The static shot of R2-D2 and C-3PO approaching the door to Jabba's palace is replaced with an extreme long shot revealing more of the door, as the camera zooms in on the droids.
• There are brighter flashes of light when Han is released from the carbonite.
• A CG Dug was added to the scene in Jabba's palace which features sleeping partygoers.
• The close-up shot of Han striking Boba Fett's jetpack was replaced with a different version of the shot.
• The Ewoks have CG eyelids, allowing them to blink.
• When R2-D2 is shot by a stormtrooper, additional CG gadgets fly out of his body as he malfunctions.
• Darth Vader now says "no" while the Emperor tortures Luke with lightning, and then screams "nooooo!" as he picks up the Emperor and throws him off a ledge.

2015: Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection

In April 2015, all six films were released digitally to various online streaming services. These versions feature the exact same changes to the 2011 Blu-ray release,^[13] as well as removing the 20th Century Fox logo on all films but A New Hope.

Deleted scenes from Star Wars

This is a partial list of scenes that were not in a film version of the original trilogy or prequels and changes made to deleted scenes. These deleted scenes are included in some home video versions. Some scenes deleted from the original editions of the original trilogy were modified and added back in later versions.

Episode IV: A New Hope

• While Luke is working on a moisture vaporator at the Lars homestead, he uses a set of binoculars to look up into the sky when his attention is caught by a few light flashes coming from the sky. Seeing two starships exchanging laser fire in space, he decides to go to tell his friends at Tosche Station. When he runs to his landspeeder, Treadwell, one of the moisture farming droids malfunctions. Luke throws his hands up in frustration and continues to make his way to Anchorhead. Luke visits his friends at Anchorhead. He tells his friends that he saw a space battle (between the Devastator and the blockade runner Tantive IV) with a set of binoculars, but at that point the battle is already over and his friends do not believe him. His friends all head back into the station, leaving Luke outside looking up at the sky. Outside Anchorhead, Biggs and Luke are walking and reminiscing about old times over a couple of drinks. During this conversation, Biggs tells Luke he wants to "jump ship and join the Rebellion." This revelation shocks Luke. Biggs then tries to convince Luke to leave with him, but Luke replies with a series of excuses and ends the conversation in quiet resignation. The two promise to meet again soon. ^{[Note 1]}
• As Luke blasts through Anchorhead with his landspeeder, he nearly knocks over an old lady who raises her fists in protest and yells for everyone to slow down.^{[Note 1]}
• Aunt Beru dispenses some blue milk in the homestead kitchen.^{[Note 1]}
• While searching for a runaway R2-D2, Luke and C-3PO run into engine problems while traveling along the desert. As C-3PO is piloting the landspeeder, he yells out to Luke that he is experiencing a loss of power. Luke then crawls out of the cockpit to the rear of the craft and fixes a damaged circuit, which helps restore power. After a brief exchange of dialogue, the scene cuts away to a radar scanner on the dashboard indicating there is something ahead of them.^{[Note 1]}
• Han and a mysterious woman named Jenny are seen carousing and kissing in the Cantina before the meeting with Obi Wan and Luke. The intent was to give Han the aura of being a ladies' man.^{[Note 1]}
• A scene where Han Solo talks to an actor playing Jabba the Hutt was deleted from the original theater and home video versions of Star Wars, but was included in the Special Editions, modified to depict Solo talking to a CGI Jabba that more closely matched the version of the character seen in Return of the Jedi. The original scene was included in the documentary From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga.
• An alternate take of Stormtroopers searching for the droids in Mos Eisley.^{[Note 1]}
• Darth Vader and Chief Bast discuss Grand Moff Tarkin and his ambitions.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended dialogue for Obi-Wan during the duel. This and the preceding scene can be seen in the documentary Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy.
• Biggs and Luke meet again at the Rebel base prior to the Battle of Yavin. Red Squadron leader Garven Dreis asks about Luke's piloting qualifications and discusses his service in the Clone Wars with Luke's father, stating, "I remember your father from when I was a boy. He was one hell of a pilot." The scene was partially restored for the 1997 Special Edition, although most of Garven Dreis's dialogue was omitted.^{[Note 1]}

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

• Extended argument scene between Han and Leia in Echo Base. There is more dialogue between the two after Han says, "You could use a good kiss!"^{[Note 1]}
• A number of Wampas infiltrate the Rebel base and kill at least one tauntaun. An image exists of a medical droid inspecting a tauntaun carcass. The Wampa attack is mentioned and shown in the Marvel Comics adaptation of the movie.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended scene of Luke recovering in the Bacta Tank. Luke speaks while unconscious and the medical droid states that he has been fully healed.^{[Note 1]}
• While Luke is recovering inside a Bacta Tank, Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are in an adjacent room discussing what happened to Luke and the Wampa infiltration.^{[Note 1]}
• Luke is recovering from the Bacta treatment and has his bandage mask removed. He and Leia have an intimate conversation afterwards that lead them toward a kiss but before they are able to do so, R2-D2 and C-3PO enter.^{[Note 1]}
• While travelling through Echo Base's corridors, R2-D2 is attacked by a Wampa. He is rescued and the wampa is killed by Rebel troops.^{[Note 1]}
• Inside Echo Base, Luke mans a laser cannon. Various sites on the internet including starwarz.com show a photo of this scene.
• General Veers is killed when a snowspeeder piloted by Derek "Hobbie" Klivian crashes into his AT-AT Walker cockpit.^{[Note 1]}
• While fleeing Imperial troops, Han suggests they take a shortcut through a room that has a sign on it. Leia tells him "that's where they keep those creatures" (the Wampas, which have been confined to the room). They run off and C-3PO tears off the warning sign, hoping the troops will mistake it for another room. Though never seen in any version of the film, shots of this scene were used in television ads and trailers, and the door is visible in the movie. Two Star Wars video games reference this room: Shadows of the Empire and Star Wars Trilogy Arcade.^{[Note 1]}
• Originally, Luke's training on Dagobah was to include a montage sequences showing Luke's training and pace under master Yoda's watchful eye, from an extended run across the swamps to various force ability exercises and using his Lightsaber against four remotes (hovering Lightsaber training globes from A New Hope). Black and white pictures exist of Luke training with Yoda on his back while practicing with his Lightsaber. A page outlining the montage sequences was seen in the Marvel comic book adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back.
• As a part of his training, Luke attempts to cut a metal rod with his lightsaber which is being levitated by Yoda.^{[Note 1]}
• While the Millennium Falcon is hiding in the giant asteroid, Han and Leia react to explosions that are shaking the ship.^{[Note 1]}
• An alternate version of Han and Leia's kiss, in which Leia kisses Han a second time.^{[Note 1]}
• An alternate version of Han and Leia's dialogue and kiss in Cloud City.
• In the carbon-freezing sequence, C-3PO's complete line would have been "I'm not ready to die on the back of a demented wookiee!" (the italicized words were deleted from all versions of the film, but were heard in their entirety on the Story of The Empire Strikes Back LP).
• A scene involving Lando, Leia, Chewbacca and the droids getting stuck in an elevator during the escape on Cloud City. In this scene, Lando climbs through a trapdoor in the ceiling of the elevator and uses his blaster to release the mechanism holding the elevator in place. The scene where they enter the elevator remains in the movie, yet the scene immediately after shows them appearing around a corner on an entirely different level of the city.
• After Lobot helps Lando to escape, he is captured by Stormtroopers.^{[Note 1]}
• During the rescue of Luke from beneath Cloud City, Leia positions the Millennium Falcon underneath Luke just as he lets go of the weather vane. Luke lands heavily on the top of the Falcon and Lando rushes off to bring him inside. Opening the top hatch, Lando attaches a ship cable to his belt and crawls out onto the roof of the Falcon. He sees Luke and grabs him, dragging him back to the safety of the ship as Leia steers the ship away from Cloud City.
• In an extended version of the scene where Leia is tending to an injured Luke on the Millennium Falcon, they discuss Han's fate. Leia mentions Boba Fett by name in the deleted scene. He is never mentioned by name in the final film.^{[Note 1]}
• When Luke lets go of the projection and falls into the Cloud City shaft, he is seen screaming "no". It was cut in the final version of the film, but was returned in the Special Edition.

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

• After arriving on the second Death Star, Darth Vader communicates with Luke via the Force while he is assembling his new lightsaber on Tatooine just before R2 and C-3PO travel to Jabba's palace. ^{[Note 1]}
• Just after Jabba tells Leia that she will learn to appreciate him, he pulls her closer and makes her drink from his jug.
• Two of Jabba's minions, Ree Yees and Saelt Marae (Yak Face) get into a confrontation with Salacious Crumb as C-3PO is caught in the middle. Stills of this scene have been found in the photo insert of the novel.
• After Luke falls into the Rancor pit, he force-jumps and grabs hold of the grate before Jawas smash his hands with their rifle butts. Luke then falls into the eye of the Rancor. Stills of this scene exist, as noted in the 1983 official movie storybook.
• Right after Jabba's Sail Barge blows up, Luke, Han, Leia, Lando, and the droids go back to the Millennium Falcon and Luke's X-Wing, both of which are in the middle of a sandstorm. ^{[Note 1]}
• Moff Jerjerrod and two Royal Guards refuse to let Darth Vader in to see the Emperor, so Vader uses his Force-chokehold on Jerjerrod, but does not kill him. ^{[Note 1]}
• Darth Vader lands in the Death Star docking bay with Luke, taking him to the Emperor. This scene was reused in The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition as Vader returns to the Executor. Although Luke cannot be seen, Moff Jerjerrod can be seen mouthing his lines from Return of the Jedi.
• General Madine is coordinating the Rebel fleet just before they jump to hyperspace. Madine's lines are spoken by Admiral Ackbar in the final film.
• The Sullustan Ten Nunb has some scenes of him piloting a B-Wing star fighter, as well as a Mon Calamari and two human female pilots. One of the female pilots appears in the finished film, but with a male voice.^{[Note 1]}
• Extra scenes of Rebel crew members on the Millennium Falcon.^{[Note 1]}
• Additional footage of Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and a squad of Rebel troops engaged in combat with Stormtroopers as they infiltrate the shield generator bunker on Endor. Han reacts incredulously when he is called "Rebel scum." ^{[Note 1]}
• The Emperor commands Jerjerrod to have the Death Star blow up the Endor moon should the Rebels destroy the shield generator. Jerjerrod is reluctant at first but eventually complies.^{[Note 1]}
• When Luke is hiding from Vader in the Throne Room, Luke offers Vader a chance to come and speak with him. Vader rejects the offer saying that he would not give him that kind of advantage. Luke throws his lightsaber to Vader and Vader realizes that he is protecting Leia from Vader. After Vader discovers his feeling, Luke uses the Force to take the lightsaber from Vader. Evidence of this still exists in the final scene. As Vader talks to Luke, he can be seen holding Luke's lightsaber.
• Several scenes of Lando's Rebel flight crew while manning the quad-guns during the battle of Endor exist, as do General Madine's shouts of victory while piloting his cruiser.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace

• When Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arrive on the Trade Federation ship, two droids comment on the situation.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended wager scene between Qui-Gon and Watto^{[Note 1]}
• There is an extended fight scene between Qui-Gon and Darth Maul on Tatooine. As Qui-Gon jumps onto the landing platform of the Naboo ship, Darth Maul swings his blade but misses. Enraged, he then leaps high into the air and lands next to Qui-Gon, who battles Maul briefly before kicking him off the platform. Maul lands on the desert floor and stands up, watching the Nubian ship fly away.^{[Note 1]}
• Originally, Bail Antilles of Alderaan, another nominee for Supreme Chancellor, was going to appear in the senate scene.^{[Note 1]}
• A Naboo soldier informs Padmé that the droid control ship is destroyed. In the final film, it is the Gungans who make this discovery.^{[Note 1]}
• Anakin is revealed to be the one who destroyed the droid control ship, to the surprise of the Naboo pilots.^{[Note 1]}

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

• Extended Coruscant speeder chase.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended scene in the Jedi archive where Jocasta tells Obi-wan about Count Dooku.^{[Note 1]}
• Anakin has a nightmare of his mother while on the refugee freighter going to Naboo.^{[Note 1]}
• Anakin has a conversation with Padmé's father Ruwee regarding her safety.^{[Note 1]}
• A group of Jedi led by Ki-Adi Mundi and Plo Koon attempt to take over the Droid Command Center on Geonosis.^{[Note 1]}

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

• Extra scenes of bantering between Anakin and Obi-Wan while attempting to rescue Palpatine on the Invisible Hand. Anakin is shown to be capable of imitating R2-D2's "voice".^{[Note 1]}
• Extra scenes of Anakin, Obi-Wan, Palpatine, and R2 attempting to escape from the Invisible Hand.^{[Note 1]}
• An extended scene with Anakin and Palpatine, discussing changes to the Constitution that need to be made in order to give the Supreme Chancellor more power.^{[Note 1]}
• An animatic of an extended chase sequence between Obi-Wan and General Grievous on Utapau, directed by Steven Spielberg.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended order 66 animatics.^{[Note 1]}
• A second death scene for Shaak Ti was shot. This time, she is killed by Vader in the Jedi Temple during Order 66.^{[Note 1]}
• When Obi-Wan and Yoda return to the Jedi Temple after Order 66, they are met by clone troopers disguised as Jedi. In the final film, the clonetroopers are clad in their standard armor.^{[Note 1]}
• A scene showing the birth of the rebellion.
• The Mustafar fight sequence originally contained a scene in which Obi-Wan and Vader are dueling on the Separatist control room's table. Obi-Wan manages to disarm Vader of his lightsaber temporarily, which is why Vader is seen choking Obi-Wan and trying to force him to cut himself with his own lightsaber in the theatrical version.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended Mustafar lava chase animatics.^{[Note 1]}
• Extended Yoda vs. Sidious animatics.
• Extended Separatist Slaughter in which Wat Tambor is seen being killed.

Notes:

• Note 1. ^ Available on Star Wars: The Complete Saga 2011 Blu-ray edition.

3-D rerelease

At a ShoWest convention in 2005, George Lucas demonstrated new technology and stated that he was planning to release all six films in a new 3-D film format. Following the release of the films on Blu-ray, Lucasfilm theatrically re-released The Phantom Menace in 3D on February 17, 2012. Attack of the Clones was originally set for re-release in February 2013, but was moved back to September 2013 followed by Revenge of the Sith in October. On October 30, 2012, Lucasfilm was sold to The Walt Disney Company, which led to 3D re-releases of both films, along with the original trilogy, being postponed to focus on developing the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

References

1. "Lucas talks as ‘Star Wars’ trilogy returns". MSNBC. September 15, 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
2. "Who Shot First? The Complete List Of Star Wars Changes". Empireonline.com. August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
3. Magid, Ron (February 1997). "An Expanded Universe". American Society of Cinematographers. p. 4. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
4. "Star Wars Special Edition Changes HD". Google+. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
5. http://savestarwars.info/specialeditionfail.html
6. "My Two Cents - Archived Posts (9/23/04 - 9/2/04)". thedigitalbits.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
7. "Blu-ray Reviews - Star Wars: The Complete Saga". thedigitalbits.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
8. "Palpatine". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
9. Snider, Mike (May 4, 2006). "Star Wars goes back to basics". USA Today. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
10. "Lucas Announces Star Wars Blu-ray". IGN. August 14, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
11. "George Lucas Announces Star Wars on Blu-Ray at Celebration V". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. August 14, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
12. Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith Blu-ray Changes (2011). YouTube. July 8, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
13. O'Brien, Lucy (April 7, 2015). "Star Wars Digital Movie Collection Announced". IGN.

External links

• DVDActive - A New Hope Differences (including some audio) between versions of A New Hope
• DVDActive - The Empire Strikes Back Differences (including some audio) between versions of The Empire Strikes Back
• DVDActive - Return of the Jedi Differences (including some audio) between versions of Return of the Jedi
• DVDActive - The Prequel Trilogy Differences between versions of the prequel trilogy
• Star Wars Special Edition Changes HD Complete list of visual changes made to Star Wars
• Empire Special Edition Changes HD Complete list of visual changes made to The Empire Strikes Back
• Jedi Special Edition Changes HD Complete list of visual changes made to Return of the Jedi