George Lucas Alters Star Wars Blu-ray, Darth Vader (and Fans) Say "NO!"

Posted 09/02/2011 at 10:13am | by Paul Lilly

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Just once, we'd like to see George Lucas leave well enough alone. But like a painter obsessed with adding more strokes to what's already a masterpiece, Lucas runs the risk of ruining the Star Wars universe with each new media format. A tweak here, an added scene there, and before long, the Star Wars series will look and sound completely different the than the ones we grew up with. Unfortunately, the madness continues with the upcoming Blu-ray release.

Darth Vader is the consummate bad guy. He wears dark clothes, has a distinct voice, and won't think twice about choking a dude if he finds his lack of faith disturbing. He embraces the Dark Side, (SPOILER ALERT) right up until the end of Return of the Jedi when he picks up the Evil Emperor and tosses him like a rag doll down a reactor shaft in the Death Star. It was an act that brought him back from the Dark Side just before he dies, and he did it in silence. Or at least that's how you remember the scene.

In the Blu-ray version, Darth Vader shouts "NO!," and this has Star Wars purists up in arms. Earlier this week, a PR agent for Lucasfilm confirmed the change in dialogue to The New York Times, writing in an email, "Yes -- Darth says NO."

It's a subtle change, we'll give George Lucas that much. But it's yet another example of not being able to leave the franchise alone. And who knows if that will be the only alteration. According to NYT, there have been reports that the Yoda puppet could receive a completely digital makeover in Star Wars -- Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

In any event, you can view the altered scene here, and then tell us what you think in the comments section below.