Get Ready for Another ‘Star Wars’ Release. This Time…In 3D!

Much like Dick Dastardly strapping Nell to railroad tracks once a week, George Lucas is at it again and re-releasing the complete Star Wars trilogy in theaters again, now in glorious 3D.

The last time, when Lucas released the original trilogy with “a few minor changes” like Greedo shooting first, and shoehorning Ghost Anakin into Jedi. Now that the fans have calmed down from that whole mess. Lucas feels that converting all six movies in a whole new dimension is just enough to stay topical. From THR.

Starting with “Phantom Menace,” Lucasfilm would use several higher-end conversion houses to work on the project. By late winter or early spring in 2012, the exhibition industry should have all the 3D screens anyone could want for such a release.

At present, pics are limited to 2,000-2,500 3D locations owing to an insufficient installed base of projectors and screens. Movie theaters are adding 3D screens at a clip of 500 a month in the U.S. Foreign exhibitors also are pushing into 3D as quickly as possible now that financing for the installations is flowing.

Also pushing the timetable is a potential breakthrough in 3D TV technology. With Samsung penetrating the market with 50,000-plus 3D-equipped sets and Sony recently sending its version to market, the home-viewing experience could be primed for 3D DVD versions of the films by the time the new 3D theatrical releases have run their course.

To sum up: much like he has in the past, Lucas is sacrificing what most thing consider the “holy trilogy” in order to progress modern technology. Boo for SW fans, yay for fans of entertainment technology. Expect to see the new releases mid 2012.