Star Wars Revisions and Ownership

[image source: Star Wars: A New Hope Visual Comparison (HD Branch)]

As a relative outsider to Star Wars culture, it may be easy to dismiss superfans who put so much importance on the integrity of the original cut of the films.  It is, however, important to understand the impact of the originals with which these fans have grown so fond.  Media that we attach ourselves to will always hold an important place in our hearts. And when someone, no matter who, makes revisions to that media, we are left questioning how that revision affects the zeitgeist. When a piece of intellectual property is released, it can change hands multiple times from the creator, to the production company, to any number of conglomerates.  This ownership provides guidelines as to reproduction, licensing, and continuation.  But fans can have as much ownership, albeit less claim to profit, as those who spent billions on a property.  As soon as a film, an album, or a television show debuts, it belongs partly to whoever holds the license, and partly to the world, the fandom, or the culture as a whole.  So get mad, nerds! In revising Star Wars, George Lucas is changing something that belongs just as much to you as it does him.