Original 'Star Wars' trilogy gets DVD release date?

Posted Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:39 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

It's the Holy Grail of Star Wars fans: the chance to own the original trilogy on DVD. If the rumors are true, that chance will come next year.

According to reports from attendees of a recent Lucasfilm meeting, Fox will release Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi on DVD in September 2004. No mention on whether this will be bare bones releases or special feature-rich versions.

One other detail reportedly given was that Episode III would be available on DVD in November 2005, after its May theatrical release. This tidbit is more than obvious as it follows the precedent set by The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Lucasfilm representatives also made mention of the upcoming Cartoon Network animated shorts being released on DVD, perhaps even before the end of the year.

But remember, none of this DVD talk is official until Lucasfilm makes the public announcement.

As for the probability of this rumor being true? Take it with a grain of salt. George Lucas has previously said that the original three films wouldn't be available until 2006, after he's completed work on Episode III. But then again, the Lucas-produced and written Indiana Jones trilogy just made it to DVD.

It may not be true, but at least this gives fans A New Hope.