The Star Wars saga is about to get a lot more dimensional. Lucasfilm announced Tuesday that all six Star Wars movies will return to theaters in 3-D, according to Variety. The first film to hit screens will be Episode I: The Phantom Menace — it’ll be released wide sometime in 2012. The movies’ 3-D conversion is being handled by outside vendors and will be overseen by Industrial Light & Magic visual effects supervisor John Knoll. “It’s not going to look like [conversions] we’ve seen in the past,” Knoll told Variety. Stereoscopic conversion has been a sticky subject of late, especially after the much-criticized last-minute conversions of movies like Clash of the Titans and The Last Airbender.
Knoll also said that George Lucas isn’t planning to further “enhance” any of the visual effects this time around. When the original trilogy was rereleased in 1997, Lucas altered several scenes and tinkered with many of the effects — much to many fans’ dismay.
So, is this a 3D conversion of the original trilogy or of the special editions?
If it’s the original I won’t bother. Those movies are dated. If it’s the special editions, I’d do my best to be first in line.
Huh? A couple of new characters in the background and suddenly it’s not dated anymore?
Don’t forget that you can also see the x-wing pilot’s heads move in the se versions
I’ll only watch Star Wars in 3D if I know Greedo shoots first.
I agree with Shawn… I didn’t mind the the second 2 Special Editions, but the New Hope Special Edition was awful, first with Greedo and then that horrible scene with Jabba.
@Peter
It’s not just new characters in the background, it’s much more than that.
For better or for worse, love it or hate it, the special editions released in the 90s (I think I’ve heard something of a second version of special editions released on DVD or something like that but I haven’t looked into it much so I don’t know what it refers to) updated the 70s/80s movie on a number of ways, mainly (and most importantly) where it comes to the special effects which is the whole point of these movies.
I agree with Kevin. Even with special effects, just because ILM can do it, doesn’t mean they should do it.
I’m sorry, Micheal, but I’m going to have to ask you to turn in your Star Wars Fan Club card – blasphemy!!
Sorry, but I wouldn’t pay to see the original Star Wars movies on 3D. If I want to watch them I can watch my VHS tapes.
Dated or not, the falcon still did the kessel run in less than twelve parsecs.
Don’t parcecs measure distance and not time?
hmmmn I thought movies NOT originally shot in 3D were awful (clash of the titans)?
that must be why Citizen Kane and the Godfather movies suck. If only they were originally shot in 3-D…
I assume JC was referring to the 3-D conversion process sucking, as copmared to 3-D movies that were actually shot in 3-D.
Personally, I think ALL 3-D sucks. It just gives me a headache and serves no real purpose.
Sounds good…people will complain about this, but I’m sure most of them will be there to see each film in 3D.
So true. I am waiting with bated breath to see Anakin and Padme’s budding romance in 3D.
thanks for the breaking news.
he is a money-whore
People have been accusing him of this since Jedi was released over a two decades ago. You’re posting like this is a recent development.
Wow Tup, you’ve moved on from me? I am hurt. I’m glad you chose the EW forums to discuss your new relationship.
You too wqqqwe? I will love you. I will go to your website, as I am quite intrigued, I cannot believe how easy EW.com has mad it for pathetic lost souls like us to meet. Thank you EW!!
Hey they’re his films. Let him do what he likes with them.
Thank you, Mark.
Thanks Mark, people just take it on themselves like THEY wrote/directed/produced the movies and woe be to anyone who messes with their prize.
True, but we can still label him a hypocrite because he was at the forefront of those against film colorization, often claiming (in so many words) that changing a film after it became a part of a culture was a jab at the integrity of the film, stressing that once an artist releases art, that art exists in a sort of duel ownership between creator and the public. So yeah, HYPOCRITICAL MONEY WHORE!
Actually, this part has always bothered me. I understand he owns the whole magilla, but when it comes to “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”, he’s altering the work of other directors (Irvin Kirshner and Richard Marquand). If he wants to alter the movies he’s directed that’s one thing, but altering the work of others is wrong.
No, Mark. They aren’t his films. He produced them and made them what they are, but now they are our films. They are our childhoods. Our memories and our lives that we relate to them. Lucas really needs to stop destroying his legacy. I honestly think it would be better if he would hand control over the franchise to a fan who also is in the movie business. J.J. Abrams comes to mind. Someone who grew up with them and knows their way around a good story, how to direct. Anyone could make a better Star Wars movie than Lucas could. He doesn’t know how to NOT ruin them.
If you don’t like the new stuff and convinced it’s going to look awful then don’t watch it. Just watch the old stuff. It’s not like it doesn’t exist.
Nobody seems to complain when old music albums get re-released with NEW and IMPROVED sounds. Again, if it’s not your cup of tea…don’t watch it.
Actually, not ALL of the Star Wars films are his. Empire and Jedi were directed by different, much more talented directors, and if I were them I’d be p!ssed that Lucas is ruining their films.
Jared, they did about as much directing on those films as you did. Lucas wrote the films and was on set just about every day of filming. If you ever read anything that the actors said at the time, if Lucas was on set they looked to him for direction, not the puppet “director”.
Not the case with Empire, “Jedi”. That one was the least of his. Just take a look at the director’s notes (I have forgotten where I saw excerpt of those). Nonetheless, he’s still the papa bear.
I really want to see them in 3-D, especially the original films. Being born LONG after the original films hit theaters I really want to see Star Wars the way my parents did, on the big screen. I don’t care if the 3-D sucks, I just want to experience Star Wars on the big screen once in my life
That’s a really interesting way to look at it. I was groaning to myself over the unnecessary 3-D conversion…but you’re right, it would really be something to see the original movies in the theaters for those of us too young to have seen them before. Though I would assume that if he were to show the original movies, he’d use his digitally upgraded ones that I don’t actually care for. (Obviously the Greedo/Han situation is terrible, but I also just liked the older look better.) It might still be worth it, though.
I’ll agree with you on the Han/Greedo angle but I actually like the new additions to the old films. While I still love the old release because well it was the first one. I do like how he made some improvements like taking out the orange blob underneath the speeder and adding in the scene with Han and Jabba (I giggle every time Han steps on his tail)
It’s like George Lucas wants us to hate him. or is just REALLY desperate for extra cash.
How about just writing some original stories in a galaxy a little closer to home.
Forbes Magazine has him as the richest director/producer in Hollywood. I don’t think he is looking for the cash.
Having seen many 3D movies, and getting a headache from every one, I can honestly say that 3D does NOTHING to add to the movie-going experience.
And I think most people know this. A few times to watch it and it’s already boring.
What I suspect is happening is that Lucas and others are preparing for what they think will be the next big thing: 3DTV. Not my idea of fun, but a lot of people will put a lot of money into it before they realize it’s still all a wash if you have to wear those stupid glasses to view it.
Fatesrider, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 3D movies are AMAZING and are SO much fun to watch! It feels like everything is popping right off the screen at you! If you’re getting a headache it’s probably because you’re trying to use your brain too much…
As for anyone complaining about it coming out in 3D, just DON’T SEE IT. I’m not sure if I’d see it, but it’s a neat idea!
“If you’re getting a headache it’s probably because you’re trying to use your brain too much”
- heaven forbid some of us human beings use our head for things… lol. Not only did I get headaches but my nose was sore from the cheap plastic glasses. I had to take mine off several times as they were so uncomfortable. Doesn’t matter what I think, as long as american drones flock to the theatre to watch the 3D movies they’ll keep coming out, fortunately there is a big theatre in my town that plays 2D versions in addition to the 3D films, never again will I see 3D movies.
an extra 5$ for a “neat idea?”. Cmon people, the theater system is loosing out to digital and blue ray, and for good reason; their idea of venture capitalism and fixing their finances is THIS and IMAX. Forget buying digital projectors that do 4,000 RESOLUTION, which is even better looking than real film, or the other real tech revolutions going on, that would simply take a larger commitment, they prefer an easy buck. How do they live with themselves? It must just be in human nature to try to screw honest, hard working ppl out of every last cent.
Fatesrider, I’m right with you. I loathe 3D. Deliberately saw Avatar in 2D (and loved it). 3D is just a suck hole of money for this movie-goer and a way for studios to up the gross for each picture.
Someone please stop this once lucky former filmmaker/all around greedy sob from doing this… I recently came to the realization, while still a huge fan of the original trilogy, that I forced myself to believe Eps 1-3 were okay films – they are NOT. They are horrible, horrible stories that mar the legacy of the originals. Lucas just wants $$$ for crap. Please don’t give him any more
Lucas struck it beyond lucky with the original star wars / indiana jones movies. The eps 1-3 were beyond horrible, along with the recent Indy flick. I seriously hope the 3D star wars bombs despite being a massive fan of the originals…
I’m sure The Phantom Menace will suck just as much this time around….
3D starwars in 2012…the mayans were right
lol
That actually made me laugh.
SERIOUSLY! Please god tell me the release date is December 22, the day AFTER lol
STAR WARS THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE Is Forever …One Last Time
I find it funny that people get so upset about George Lucas selling out or ruining the franchise. If you don’t want to see it…then don’t. How does this affect your life in anyway? I’m assuming they’ve done the research and decided there is a market out there to convert the movies to 3D. Last time I checked no one will force (pardon the pun) you to go to the theater to see these so why do you want to try to prevent someone who may?
And that was your award winner for best comment of the evening. Scott, please accept your honor in good health. Everyone else, go to bed.
You are right… fans who converted 3 movies into a billion dollar franchise by loyally purchasing everything star wars do not deserve any sort of input. It’s the same effect here as a video game publisher selling out a game with a massive user base into a cheap low budget movie (Far Cry and many others for example), it’s like sh!tting on the fans…
You have input: don’t give them your money. And this isn’t like your videogame example: these movies have already been made and you can own the original versions. I agree that the new scenes in the special editions were unnecessary, but is there really a need to get all riled up over something that lasts five seconds (Greedo shooting first) or two minutes (Jabba’s scene in New Hope)? If 3D is going to bring the movies back to the big screen then I’m all for it. If the 3D is not up-to-par, then I won’t see the rest of them, but in no way will it affect how I view the movies and have viewed them throughout the years!
Will George ever do something new and original ever again, or will he just re=release the same movie over and over again. Of course, once the 3D versions come out, they will be re-re-re-released on video
Sing it with me now: “George Lucas raped our childhood/George Lucas raped our childhood/George Lucas raped our chiiildhoood.”
I’m as big a Star Wars fan as you can find but if you base your entire childhood around a series of movies, that doesn’t say much about you growing up.
Dude, lighten up. She’s just referring to that funny Hot Waffles song.
catchy