By Diane Garrett

Warner homevid has disentangled "Blade Runner's" famously thorny rights issues to pave the way for a September reissue of the remastered "Director's Cut" version, followed by a theatrical release of a version promised to be truly Ridley Scott's final cut.

Warner's rights to "Blade Runner" lapsed a year ago, but the studio has since negotiated a long-term license. The pic, now considered a sci­fi classic, has had a troubled history from the start: When Scott ran over budget, completion bond guarantors took control of it and made substantial changes before its 1982 theatrical release, adding a voiceover and happy ending. That version was replaced by the much better-received director's cut in 1992, but Scott has long been unhappy with it, complaining that he was rushed and unable to give it proper attention.

The helmer started working on the final cut version in 2000, but that project was shelved by Warner soon after, apparently because the studio couldn't come to terms with one of the guarantors, Jerry Perenchio, over rights issues.

The restored "Director's Cut" will debut on homevid in September, and remain on sale for four months only, after which time it will be placed on moratorium.

"Blade Runner: Final Cut" will arrive in 2007 for a limited 25th anniversary theatrical run, followed by a special edition DVD with the three previous versions offered as alternate viewing: Besides the original theatrical version and director's cut, the expanded international theatrical cut will be in­cluded. The set will also contain additional bonus materials.

The massive "Blade Runner" project comes on the heels of Scott's four-disc treatment for " Kingdom of Heaven," released this week by Fox homevid, less than a year after the pic's initial homevid release.

Source: Daily Variety, 5/26/06, © 2006 Reed Business Information

Fans can look forward to a September filled with classic Star Wars nostalgia, led by the premiere of LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy video game and the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic Star Wars trilogy.

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie and, as bonus material, the theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy Star Wars as it first appeared in 1977, Empire in 1980, and Jedi in 1983.

See the title crawl to Star Wars before it was known as Episode IV; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. International release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."

That's also the day fans will be able to experience the LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy video game, the action-packed sequel -- filled with tongue-in-cheek humor -- to one of the best selling video games of 2005. To see the trailer to the new game from LucasArts and TT Games, click here!

Click here to order your copy of the game today. To order the first in a series of t-shirts to commemorate the return of the original unaltered trilogy, click here.

Source: Star Wars.com, 5/3/06, click here to direct link to the article!

Indiana Jones's much awaited next round of whip-cracking adventures - starring Harrison Ford again - may be shot in Australia, says Hollywood super-producer Frank Marshall.

The script for the fourth Indiana Jones film is still being written with production likely to go ahead in 2007.

"It is still on the frontburner," said Marshall in Sydney today, promoting his new film Eight Below which opens nationally on April 20.

"We really have to get the story right. The story has to be really good for any of us to do it and there are three pretty strong-willed creative minds involved in saying yes."

Steven Spielberg is slated to direct the project, with Marshall and George Lucas attached as producers.

Lucas is also writing the script with David Koepp.

The storyline is being kept a closely guarded secret but Marshall said it would follow on from the first three films - Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Harrison Ford, 63, will reprise his role as the adventurous Indiana Jones.

Sean Connery played Jones' father in the original films and is rumoured to be in the fourth instalment, although Marshall couldn't confirm this.

"Harrison is going to play the character and it is going to be 10 or 12 years later," said Marshall.

"It will be a story that makes sense and is believable."

Marshall said the film would likely go into production early next year and could be shot in Australia, Europe or the United States.

"My job as producer is to get the movie made so if I can do it better and cheaper here in Australia, then I am going to do it," said Marshall.

"Australia is a definite possibility for Indiana Jones and a couple of other things I am working on at the moment."

Marshall 's other producing credits include Poltergeist, The Color Purple, Gremlins, The Goonies, Empire of the Sun, The Sixth Sense, and The Bourne Identity.

His directing credits include Arachnophobia, Alive and Congo and he's about to make a film about cyclist Lance Armstrong starring Matt Damon.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 4/3/06, Copyright © 2006 The Sydney Morning Herald (click here for direct link to article)