Get Ready To Buy STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS On Blu-Ray (Again)

Back in April, when they rolled out Star Wars: The Force Awakens on home video, everyone in the world said, "Yeah, but there'll probably be a stacked special edition within the next year". You said it. I said it. We all said it. And after saying it, we went ahead and bought Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Blu-ray, anyway, like the well-trained chumps that we are.

Well, you'll never guess what's happening now:

BURBANK, Calif. (August 10, 2016) — This fall, Star Wars fans around the world, will experience a galaxy far, far away—up close and in eye-popping 3D—through the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3D Collector’s Edition, rolling out beginning Oct. 31 and arriving in the United States and Canada on Nov 15.

For the first time—and just in time for the holidays—viewers can bring home Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 3D, encased in stunning, collectible packaging. The exclusive four-disc 3D Collector’s Edition contains the original theatrical release on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and DVD, along with originally released bonus features and brand-new bonus material, including additional deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes conversations with cast and crew and revealing, never-before released audio commentary by director J.J. Abrams.

On the one hand: yes, this is absolutely some egregious double-dipping bullshit. On the other hand: those special features, tho.

3D COLLECTOR’S EDITION BONUS FEATURES:

• Audio Commentary with J.J. Abrams – Enter the mind of visionary director J.J. Abrams as he reveals the creative and complex choices made while developing the first film in the new Star Wars trilogy.
• Foley: A Sonic Tale – Foley artists, consisting of old pros and new talent, unite to bring the world of Star Wars: The Force Awakens alive through the matching of sound to action.
• Sounds of the Resistance – Hear how the epic sound design of Star Wars: The Force Awakens moves the Star Wars legacy forward.
• Deleted Scenes – View never-before-shared scenes that didn’t make the film’s final cut.
• Dressing the Galaxy – Costume Designer Michael Kaplan reveals how the costumes of the original Star Wars movies were re-envisioned for a new generation.
• The Scavenger and the Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega – The two new stars share the thrill of working together on the adventure of a lifetime and becoming part of the Star Wars legacy.
• Inside the Armory – Take a fascinating tour through the design and creation of the weaponry in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
• Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from the April release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, include the complete story behind the making of the film, an unforgettable cast table read, insights from legendary composer John Williams and deleted scenes, as well as features that dig deeper into the creation of new characters such as BB-8, the design of the climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren, the film’s remarkable digital artistry and the Star Wars: Force for Change global aid initiative.

In short, the "Classic Bonus Features" are the ones you already own (I just went and grabbed my copy off the shelf, and yup, the gang's all here). But in addition to that, you're getting a 3D version of the film, an audio commentary from JJ Abrams (no snark: this is perhaps the best reason for this double-dip to exist), some featurettes (costume stuff, sound design stuff, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega being charming as all hell together), and, intriguingly, a number of deleted scenes (gotta admit: I'm pretty curious to find out what's in those). 

According to the press release, the newly-updated Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray set will arrive in the States on November 15th. It will sell a bajillion copies, one of which will be purchased by you, and it will sit right on the shelf next to the copy you already own. Sometimes, you will glare at it from across the room and quietly curse yourself for being such a rube.