Will we still be waiting for Star Wars score expansions at the 50th anniversary?

[BB-8 5,809]

It'll be a fully operational OST collection on coloured vinyl, I fear....

 

[Thor 9,334]

10 hours ago, crumbs said:

Gosh, time flies.

 

Made this thread 3 years ago, now we're only 2 years from 2027...

 

Don't remind me. It's my own 50th birthday as well.

[GerateWohl 6,361]

I bet there will be an overly expensive 300$ 50th anniversary edition boxset of the six demaster CDs plus the regular sequel OSTs with new cover art, some additional gimmick (like Han Solo's dices made of cheap plastic), no liner notes and old audio.

We will get a bunch of promotion with film scene clips of facebook and X, unboxing videos and making-of documentraries about the new cover design.

That's how Disney celebrates anniversaries.

 

PS: If we are lucky, there will be a 2-track bonus disc with the Obi-Wan theme and Galaxy's Edge.

[Luke Skywalker 2,289]

3 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

 

 

PS: If we are lucky, there will be a 2-track bonus disc with the Obi-Wan theme and Galaxy's Edge.

Or one of those single LPs.

[GerateWohl 6,361]

3 minutes ago, Luke Skywalker said:

Or one of those single LPs.

Good idea. I know what you mean.

 

But sorry for smart ass mode, my young padavan!

 

A vinyl single (45 rpm) is no LP. LP (33 rpm) stands for "long player" and is an album.

 

A single is a single. A single can be 7 inch or 12 inch, but 12 inch is a maxi single.

 

*smart ass mode off*

 

I am old, I know.

[Luke Skywalker 2,289]

i knew, but i forgot what the nomenclature was.

 

 

[Mr. Hooper 7,580]

[Xander Harris 8,878]

 

I'm perfectly content with these CD sets. Hell, I've never even listened to them. 

[FBC Director 10,559]

In my pursuit of more dark and disturbing scores, I've largely left this franchise behind, aside from the odd revisit here and there.

[Xander Harris 8,878]

Just listen to The Magic Tree over and over

[FBC Director 10,559]

Probably the best piece.

[Tallguy 6,587]

You know those 20th anniversary covers look pretty cool in the original embossed booklet form. They look like garbage in a regular jewel case.

[Jurassic Shark 15,893]

Nah, they look great there as well.

[Bayesian 1,575]

On 8/1/2025 at 12:31 AM, GerateWohl said:

I bet there will be an overly expensive 300$ 50th anniversary edition boxset of the six demaster CDs plus the regular sequel OSTs with new cover art, some additional gimmick (like Han Solo's dices made of cheap plastic), no liner notes and old audio.

We will get a bunch of promotion with film scene clips of facebook and X, unboxing videos and making-of documentraries about the new cover design.

That's how Disney celebrates anniversaries.

 

PS: If we are lucky, there will be a 2-track bonus disc with the Obi-Wan theme and Galaxy's Edge.

It’s about giving the fans what they want. And this is what they want, right?? I mean, it’s not like there’s been any clamoring or petitioning for the expanded scores, right? Or endless discussion online about what the OT score expansions should or should not contain.

 

We should be grateful if Disney even acknowledges the 50th anniversary with an overpriced reissue. It’s more than this franchise deserves.
/s

[Jurassic Shark 15,893]

On 08/01/2025 at 9:31 AM, GerateWohl said:

I bet there will be an overly expensive 300$ 50th anniversary edition vinyl boxset of the six demaster CDs plus the regular sequel OSTs

 

Clarified. 

[FBC Director 10,559]

On 12/01/2025 at 7:21 AM, Bayesian said:

It’s about giving the fans what they want. And this is what they want, right?? I mean, it’s not like there’s been any clamoring or petitioning for the expanded scores, right? Or endless discussion online about what the OT score expansions should or should not contain.

 

We should be grateful if Disney even acknowledges the 50th anniversary with an overpriced reissue. It’s more than this franchise deserves.
/s

 

Normies just casually listen to itty bits from the RCA releases on YouTube and they're satisfied.

[Maurizio 6,700]

3 hours ago, Lady Dimitrescu said:

Normies just casually listen to itty bits from the RCA releases on YouTube and they're satisfied.

 

99% of people out there are content by listening to music via streaming services and okay with previous releases and the likes... But as the recent Jaws 50th Anniversary release shows, doing extensive restoration work is something that can have an impact on that front too, on top of giving new value to catalogue asset out of which new profit can be made. Hopefully something similar can happen for Star Wars as well.

[bollemanneke 4,227]

The fact that it hasn't happened yet is just because someone isn't doing their job or doesn't care at all and assumes nobody else cares either. And this is coming from someone who doesn't have these expansions at the top of their wish list whatsoever. It's inexcusable that it hasn't happened, period. Say what you want about 'normies', but if you were to ask 100 random people if they thought the complete Star Wars music has been released, I'm pretty sure a majority would say they assumed yes. But yet again, the people in charge are of culture a bunch of Philistines who only wake up when they see NUMBERS!!!

[FBC Director 10,559]

Well they pretty much have been released. They're just outdated and need their own Inchon.

[Xander Harris 8,878]

On 09/01/2025 at 6:18 AM, Tallguy said:

You know those 20th anniversary covers look pretty cool in the original embossed booklet form. They look like garbage in a regular jewel case.

 

The jewel cases are my favorite versions. The booklets with their "slip" packaging are designed to damage the discs. Now they release UHD movies with this type of packaging.

[FBC Director 10,559]

[Xander Harris 8,878]

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,589]

Those were great to have, for a couple of years.

[FBC Director 10,559]

They're no good now?

[Edmilson 11,393]

"Will we still be waiting for Star Wars score expansions at the 100th anniversary?"
 

Answer: yes.

 

Maybe for the 150th anniversary...

[FBC Director 10,559]

Just be grateful for what you've got. Seize the moment, 'cuz tomorrow you might be dead.

[Mr. Hooper 7,580]

 

29 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

"Will we still be waiting for Star Wars score expansions at the 100th anniversary?"
 

Answer: yes.

 

Maybe for the 150th anniversary...

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,589]

Star Wars? Complete?

 

I guess i was eager for it since the mid 90's. But honestly....

 

I guess for posterity it would be good if MM and co were able to give it a once over again.

[FBC Director 10,559]

I'd just like for the OT to sound like the LLL Superman.

[GerateWohl 6,361]

I am not hunting for additional missing OT music. To be honest, I was already fine with the Special Edition 2-disc sets from the 90s. But since then I am waiting for something similar for the prequels and the sequels. 

[Jilal 662]

2 hours ago, Lady Dimitrescu said:

I'd just like for the OT to sound like the LLL Superman.

 

Bring it on! The LLL Superman sounds amazing. 

 

1 hour ago, GerateWohl said:

I am not hunting for additional missing OT music. To be honest, I was already fine with the Special Edition 2-disc sets from the 90s. But since then I am waiting for something similar for the prequels and the sequels. 

 

I'd love to be able to listen to a decent sounding copy of that playful Max Rebo Band instrumental that's heard in Jabba's palace. Couldn't care less about the one heard on the sailing barge though.

[Xander Harris 8,878]

It’s a shame that the newest of the original trilogy sounds the worst in the RCA versions. Empire can be a bit tinny but it’s generally solid even if I still prefer the sound on the OST and Anthology. SW is a bit of a lateral move between editions. Even the Disney remastered OST sounds good to me, the Anthology sounds good and the SE despite being a bit loud and fatiguing still sounds good overall and works well in chronological order. 

[BrotherSound 2,648]

One thing that gives me a sliver of hope for the 50th anniversary is UK copyright law, which has a “use it or lose it” provision: basically, any sound recordings not published within 50 years from when they are recorded enter the public domain. Which would mean the copyright could potentially expire after 2027 in the UK for any nugget from the original Star Wars score that hasn’t been made available, like the original opening of the end credits.

 

I do wonder if this law could have anything to do with the timing of 50th anniversary releases like The Godfather and The Sugarland Express.

 

From https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/guides/copyright-law-the-basics

 

Quote

Sound recordings are protected for 50 years from the end of the year in which the recording is made or, if published during that period, for 70 years from the end of the year of publication.

[Tallguy 6,587]

19 minutes ago, BrotherSound said:

One thing that gives me a sliver of hope for the 50th anniversary is UK copyright law, which has a “use it or lose it” provision: basically, any sound recordings not published within 50 years from when they are recorded enter the public domain. Which would mean the copyright could potentially expire after 2027 in the UK for any nugget from the original Star Wars score that hasn’t been made available, like the original opening of the end credits.

 

I do wonder if this law could have anything to do with the timing of 50th anniversary releases like The Godfather and The Sugarland Express.

 

From https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/guides/copyright-law-the-basics

 

 

Publishing the film doesn't count as "publishing"? That seems fishy.

[BrotherSound 2,648]

3 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

Publishing the film doesn't count as "publishing"? That seems fishy.

Yes, it certainly does count. I’m referring to music that hasn’t been used in the film, or publicly released at all, like the original opening of the end credits of Star Wars (1977), which was replaced by an insert in the film and on all album releases.

[Marian Schedenig 11,142]

8 hours ago, bollemanneke said:

if you were to ask 100 random people if they thought the complete Star Wars music has been released, I'm pretty sure a majority would say they assumed yes.

 

I would wager at least 90 of them wouldn't understand what you even mean when you say "complete Star Wars music".

[bollemanneke 4,227]

But if you explained what you meant, would anyone believe it hasn't been done yet?

[Jurassic Shark 15,893]

Someone please change the thread title to We'll still be waiting for Star Wars score expansions at the 50th anniversary.

[Marian Schedenig 11,142]

9 minutes ago, bollemanneke said:

But if you explained what you meant, would anyone believe it hasn't been done yet?

 

If they thought about it and realised that a "soundtrack album" usually doesn't contain at least some music from the film, most would probably say they have no idea.

[Arnaud2 62]

I can’t believe after all these years we still don’t have a double LP of Return of the Jedi. That alone would make me happy.

[Tom 6,261]

30 minutes ago, Arnaud2 said:

I can’t believe after all these years we still don’t have a double LP of Return of the Jedi. That alone would make me happy.

https://youtu.be/hDEtjBjkxjo?t=15

[Maurizio 6,700]

12 hours ago, BrotherSound said:

One thing that gives me a sliver of hope for the 50th anniversary is UK copyright law, which has a “use it or lose it” provision: basically, any sound recordings not published within 50 years from when they are recorded enter the public domain. Which would mean the copyright could potentially expire after 2027 in the UK for any nugget from the original Star Wars score that hasn’t been made available, like the original opening of the end credits.

 

I do wonder if this law could have anything to do with the timing of 50th anniversary releases like The Godfather and The Sugarland Express.

 

From https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/guides/copyright-law-the-basics

 

I don't know if these things apply to the circumstance of releasing a soundtrack album, i.e. music originally written and recorded to accompany a film. I can only guess that since those are American productions, they fall under the US copyright law, which may have different time windows, but I can only speculate. Anything regarding copyright, intellectual rights, publishing rights, etc. is a thorny subject.

 

 

13 hours ago, Xander Harris said:

It’s a shame that the newest of the original trilogy sounds the worst in the RCA versions. Empire can be a bit tinny but it’s generally solid even if I still prefer the sound on the OST and Anthology. SW is a bit of a lateral move between editions. Even the Disney remastered OST sounds good to me, the Anthology sounds good and the SE despite being a bit loud and fatiguing still sounds good overall and works well in chronological order. 

 

All three scores can definitely be improved sound-wise. Those remasters were done almost 30 years ago now: technology has improved dramatically since then and I can only imagine what wonders Mike could do on all three given his expertise and knowledge of today... Again, the recent Jaws 50th is a great indicator. Certainly there are inherent limitations due to the conditions of the available elements and also how the scores were originally recorded, but if there is one thing we can be sure is that a new remaster will sound amazing if done properly by the right people.

 

The Prequels are perhaps less hard work in terms of pure audio restoration, but they were still recorded on tape so there's a lot of work to do. I'm sure those can also sound much better than what technology allowed back in 1999-2005.

 

I don't think much audio restoration is needed for the Sequel trilogy, as they're very recent digital recordings, but again improvements can be made in terms of balance and dynamic. Perhaps the hardest part of these will be deciding what is the best assembly to present (esp. the two JJ Baby films).

[Naïve Old Fart 12,485]

Regarding the title of this thread: probably.

[BrotherSound 2,648]

7 hours ago, Maurizio said:

I don't know if these things apply to the circumstance of releasing a soundtrack album, i.e. music originally written and recorded to accompany a film. I can only guess that since those are American productions, they fall under the US copyright law, which may have different time windows, but I can only speculate. Anything regarding copyright, intellectual rights, publishing rights, etc. is a thorny subject.

It certainly is thorny! But I believe each individual country’s laws are what apply here. That’s why Sony Records released copyright extension releases of Bob Dylan’s music on their 50th anniversaries even though he’s American: to keep unreleased recordings from falling into the public domain in the UK.

[Tom Guernsey 3,481]

Ah, copyright law, always doing pretty much the opposite of the original intention... but roundly ignored when it suits people who know the copyright owner would struggle to fight back. Yay!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,589]

On 13/10/2025 at 4:58 PM, Lady Dimitrescu said:

I'd just like for the OT to sound like the LLL Superman.

 

Well that I guess. Give us the final word in sound quality on these scores.

[Poor_Man_S_HirschFeld 56]

I guess a new master could sound fantastic. In his fluvial, rambling (but thoroughly enjoyable) livestream on his Star Wars Legacy restoration project, Mike Verta hints that the sound elements should be pretty much secure or at least salvageable (when compared to the poor state the picture elements are: the original 1977 negative is almost completely faded and very very few good original prints are available).

 

I think his quote was: 

"Audio is not Star Wars' problem"

[Xander Harris 8,878]

There are politics going on behind the scenes when it comes to SW. I can only assume that JW is partially to blame. The last two major reissues of these scores were remasters/rebuilds of the original albums. JW may have forgotten that expanded versions were even done, if he was ever aware to begin with.

[Tallguy 6,587]

1 hour ago, Xander Harris said:

There are politics going on behind the scenes when it comes to SW. I can only assume that JW is partially to blame. The last two major reissues of these scores were remasters/rebuilds of the original albums. JW may have forgotten that expanded versions were even done, if he was ever aware to begin with.

 

I find that hard to believe when we got ANOTHER Superman and ANOTHER Jaws. (And I love both of them.) It's not like he's been sitting around saying "No, I think that's too much music." Heck, we got Eiger Sanction and Sugarland Express for crying out loud!

[Xander Harris 8,878]

He doesn’t even like film scores!