Here we are. You all knew it was coming — most of you likely wishing as hard as one can wish that it would never actually become a reality — and George Lucas is not one to take a step back when something is glowing with dollar signs.
It’s been announced that all six Star Wars movies will be getting a shiny new 3D makeover, and then an eventual re-release into theaters. The plan is to start at the beginning, sending Episode I: The Phantom Menace out of the gate first in early 2012, and then releasing the films in order each year after that…all depending upon performance.
Lucas has always had an eye on re-releasing his saga in 3D with how popular the technology currently is, but he wanted to make sure it was being used in enough theaters before going for it. Also, Lucas’s urge to go 3D was solidified with the success of James Cameron’s Avatar, and he was ready to give his babies the new treatment.
Each Star Wars movie will take about a year to convert into 3D, which is why one will come out per year. Another issue is that 3D has only worked when filmed in it; everything that’s been converted in post production has been a disaster. Does Lucas have some tricks up his sleeves to get quality out of his conversions? Or is this all just another scheme to make money? Thankfully for us (and perhaps not-so-well-thought-out by LucasFilm), the newer three movies coming first should tell us something of the quality and whether we should even bother when the good ones comes around.
Nothing is confirmed at the moment, but it would not be risky to also bet that these will be marketed with at least a little “NEVER BEFORE SEEN” footage from the six movies. We know the drill by now.
If all goes according to these plans, the final film in the franchise won’t hit theaters until the year 2017, which seems a bit long to wait. 3D could be dead by then and some new fad storming the nation…like oh, say maybe watching theatrical movies at home instead. Many feel the 3D revolution is still something of a novelty, and if it is in fact still this popular in 2012 (let alone 2017!) maybe the world will be ending after all. Some might even prefer that fate.
[Source: THR]
STAR WARS THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE Is Forever …One Last Time
Comment by none — September 28, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
This is just horrible news. I actually had trouble finding the original theatrical releases instead of the BS they have added over the years and now one more for the pile that has become Star Wars.
A moment of silence for the death of what was once a great franchise.
Comment by Brian — September 29, 2010 @ 12:24 am
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…”– Anakin
Comment by ERlack$ — September 29, 2010 @ 5:29 am
Paraphrase from Lucas: Going back and bringing the original film releases to Blu-ray would cost too much; the expense too great. 3-D films yay Ani, yeah! Yaaaaay!
/picarddoublefacepalm
Comment by Slipstream — September 29, 2010 @ 7:11 am
Episode IV: The Phantom Menace?
Freudian slip?
anyway…
George Lucas is a whore.
Comment by Devon — September 29, 2010 @ 8:46 am
I’m not a big fan of post-production 3-D, mostly because it’s never looked good.
But I’m a little surprised by how quickly everyone began to hate 3-D as a whole. When it’s done well (say, the computer-animated films that have come out recently?) it’s a lot of fun. Does someone have to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D to enjoy it? Hell no. But it sure did make that opening sequence pop, not to mention how it made the short film before it work better because of the depth. And Coraline used it excellently.
Comment by Kent — September 29, 2010 @ 9:36 am
Wh0r3! As tempting as it is to go see ESB again in the theater, I think I’ll pass and find a laserdisc player for the Definitive Edition (lolright) set I picked up at GenCon.
Comment by Mithoviel — September 29, 2010 @ 10:02 am
Episode IV! Yikes. Good eye, Devon.
You win this advice…
Avoid 3D Jar-Jar at all costs.
Comment by The Movie God — September 29, 2010 @ 11:28 am
Fortunately, I have a VHS copy of the trilogy and a working VCR. The only way I prefer to watch Star Wars.
Comment by Brian — September 29, 2010 @ 11:57 am
I’m so sick of 3D!!!!!!!!
With that said, I don’t think I can resist the urge to see the original trilogy in the theater, even if it is the Special Editions (urgh). Even if I just go to see Empire, that’d be enough.
Comment by Empress Eve — September 29, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
I agree Empress Eve, that’s the worst part about the whole thing. Despite the fact that we all know this is just another obvious attempt to siphon some more money out of the loyal Star Wars Fans, we are all loyal Star Wars fans, and will go see them (at least the good 3) in theaters.
Maybe it’s his evil plan against Star Wars fans for making his career into a never ending Star Wars Adventure rather than becoming a respected director or whatever he though he’d be.
He’s already set himself up for at least another 50 years of worship with that Clone Wars Cartoon and toys/clothes/games. All i’m hoping is that after all the struggle, The Old Republic gives the faithfulsl something to be excited about. . . that being said there’s no way he’s not gonna charge monthly for that game…
~NZ
LUUUCAAASSSSS!!!
Comment by NickZak — September 29, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
I’m really wondering if good ol’ George takes daily swims in his gigantic money vault like Scrooge McDuck.
How’s this for an idea: instead of 3D Star Wars, let’s put the seemingly never-ending Hollywood remakes trend to some good use (finally) and redo those prequels that killed the Star Wars of my generation.
Comment by burning_chrome — September 29, 2010 @ 5:33 pm
Seriously?
How about new stories and characters from the universe instead of the sane six films over and over and over and over and over and over and over and…
People could recite the dialogue more than a few releases ago, it’s time to start making more dialogue.
What a waste.
Comment by AJ — September 29, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
I do REALLY think WHEN “4D” comes out, the films MAY really get Converted into that, too. But hey…”3D” is good enough, for me.
Comment by CapneoCrowley — September 23, 2011 @ 3:31 pm