Lucasfilm Ltd. just announced that the 
Star Wars films are being remastered in 3-D and will be released in theaters in 2012. The work is being performed by the team at Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic.
According to the Star Wars website,
There are few movies that lend themselves more perfectly to 3D; from the Death Star trench run to the Tatooine Podrace, the Star Wars Saga has always delivered an entertainment experience that is completely immersive. Presented by Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm Ltd., the cutting edge conversion will take that immersion to the next thrilling level, with Industrial Light & Magic supervising the project.Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace is expected to be released theatrically in 2012.
According to the website The Wrap, IL&M visual effects supervisor John Knoll “told Variety that there are no plans to add or fix visual effects in the films, which should please fans who were upset when Lucas made a few digital tweaks to the original trilogy.” Unfortunately, that means we’ll have to endure Jar Jar Binks once again! Oh well, hopefully the fly-throughs will make it all worthwhile.
Star Wars are a mega brand and for them to re release a movie in 3-D is brilliant. The costs to turn something from 2-D into 3-D are nothing compared to the potential profit of the movie. Another reason why this is a great idea is because the original trilogy came out in the late 70’s and early 80’s and the last trilogy to come out was released from 99 (episode 1) to 2005 (episode 3). So many kids that were born in the mid to late 90’s on up can possibly see the movie and want to see the rest and maybe buy them. Also the releasing of the movie is going to contribute to the brand of Star Wars allowing them to sell more merchandise such as action figures, games, guns and lightsabers, and other Star Wars merchandise. Overall the idea to re release Star Wars in 3-D is a genius plan and I’m sure George Lucas will be able to rake in some profit off of it.
While I think Star Wars would look great in 3D is it really necessary? I think it is getting rather overdone lately that a ton of films are being redone in 3D. Some just to be in 3D because every other film is doing it, but I think it takes away from a lot of these films that they are just being redone in 3D just to renew interest in a particular film. While I think Star Wars would be one of the few films that it is worth seeing in 3D, I still didn’t go and see it in theaters. Also I don’t think Star Wars is a film that needs more interest renewed. This is already a franchise that has millions of fans and is still going to have a lot of fans whether this had been in 3D or not. Maybe I am biased since I don’t really care for the 3D fad and enjoy 2D films more. Even though I think great effects can make a great film, to me movies are all about having a great storyline that keeps you interesting. A weak story with 3D graphics is not going to make me want to see the film, especially when a lot of the films released in 3D have rather sloppy. Which makes it seem rather useless to me, yet the theaters still want to push 3D on everyone. We will see with time if this trend lasts but if 3D keeps going at this current state I think 3D will die out and it would be better to just stick with 2D films.
Bringing back Star Wars in 3D is a great way to market the movie and casting crew again for younger viewers to enjoy. The movie is a classic, enjoyed by a younger audience; in my experience 3 year old boys love Star Wars and are interested in seeing the mastered film. Now the film can experience the publicity all over again. The 3D elements are popular these days, bringing the movie to life. It’s pretty ideal viewed in a movie theater, not too ideal used in the comfort of your own home.
Personally, I love this, I’ve always loved Star Wars and wish I was old enoguh to see them when they originally came out in theaters in ’77. I am pumped that they are going to the 3-D format, it will be fun to relive all those scenes in 3-D.
WOW another Star Wars movie…. but 3D is this really going to make a difference? If you have seen it once you already know the storyline, and we know what happens at the end. Isn’t that all people care about now a days? The movie industry really thinks 3-D is going to change how we perceive movies, but truthfully people are getting fed up with all the extra graphics because theses extra graphics are making movies more expensive to watch. Although you recycle the glasses for 3-D movies that is the extra two dollars you spend. Everyone wants to get a slice of the pie of the 3-D movies so of course they want to remake Star Wars one of the highest gross movies of all time. And personally in my opinion they are running out of movie ideas which is why we see so many remakes and sequels.
More and more movies are becoming 3-D and making more money than 2-D movies. 3-D movies are 2-5 dollars more than 2-D movies. I think 3-D movies are more exciting to watch because the images appear to come right out of the screen. Movies are mass media and 3-D movies increase the number of people to watch movies. I think if 3-D movies didn’t exist than people would have to be fine with 2-D movies, but it seems there has to always be something better.I think with the 3-D Stars Wars movie being released in theaters in 2012, this will bring more people to the theaters.
Chelsy
Although I know that this is an attempt to make more money, I believe it is a great idea for the Stars Wars films. This will reintroduce the epic movies to a new generation and suck them into loving it as much as my generation, the generation before that, and even the generation before that. It has been about 40 years since the first Stars Wars hit the screens, and it was eye catching with the newest technology being used. Unfortunately, 3-D is nothing new, so hopefully Lucas will make some tweeks to keep the audience entertained. James Cameron will also be re-releasing Titanic in 3-D that year, which i will be first in line at the IMAX to see. Some movies just never get old, and they need to be relived every once in awhile. People will pay to see these old movies updated and put into the current times. It is a smart move, and some may not want to see these movies again in theatre, but there are much more out there that will. Love it!
Karlee Weiler
I don’t personally like three dimensional television. The technological advancement is astounding and I give credit to its’ creaters. But I think that television should just remain inside the theaters and not in the homes of millions. This will lower the 3D value in movie theaters and overall leading to an overall less attendance for theaters, making them increase their products to make up for the lost revenue. Or thats at least what I think.
I’m not a big Star Wars fan, but I know enough to say the original trilogy is a masterpiece how it is. Turning it into a 3-D attraction is 1. sucking even more money out of Star Wars fans, and 2. ruining a perfect masterpiece of it’s time.
Personally i really done like 3D movies, I think that they are overrated. I also have an even stronger beleif that classics should not be tampered with!
I am a huge fan of Star Wars. Star Wars is a classic movie that shouldn’t be remade into 3D. Yes, 3D is the big movie hit but classic movies should stay the way they are. Besides 3D movies are a way for Lucas films to get more money from us. I think 3D films are just one of those things that will eventually fade away. I will admit that although I disagree with the 3D making I will probably go see the film and judge it from there.
I personally don’t see anything wrong with the re-release of movies like this. What disappoints me is when a company retouches a movie with 3D, but does a really sloppy job. If George Lucas puts a lot of hard work into redoing this saga into 3D, I am positive Star Wars fans everywhere will be lining up to see these timeless classics. Re-releasing into this format also allows Lucas Films Inc. to appeal to a new generation who is otherwise exposed to the Clone Wars cartoons, and now they can have proper exposure to the original material the Star Wars franchise was created from.
I am a big fan of star wars. It is still popular to this day, and now even more so because of the new movies that came out. I think they really have done all they can do to bring those movies back and make more money off of them.
They will probably make less money then they spend on production. According to a poll I took in my class 25 of out 30 people dislike 3D movies. Alot of people say “they’re annoying” or “they give me a headache”. Most people just like to sit down and enjoy the movie and not have to worry about keeping glasses on your face or looking in the right spot.
3D movies are being forced upon us. At certain movie theatres you have no choice but to see the movie in 3D. On black friday there was a massive sale on the 3D tv’s, each were $200 for a 50 inch screen. As technology advances its almost like we have no choice but to keep up with it.
I happen to agree with both Samuel and Beau on two facts. I agree with Samuel that the Star Wars saga has been very popular in the past and the new 3D effect might be more appealing to the younger generation, rather than to the first fans of the films. It could do well with the new effects as long as Lucas doesn’t add anything to original movie that might disappoint his original fans. I agree with Beau, because like the article, ” there is no movie made for 3D.” This new experience with a phenomenal film might just add a little spark to the whole Star Wars era. Although, i just hope Lucas isn’t pushing his luck trying to make this film bigger than it already is. Because once you’re at the top, you can only go down.
I agree with what Cameron said within not being tampered with. I’ve noticed that everything is coming out in 3-D and honestly I think it’s taking away from the actual mean of the movie. I don’t want to go into a movie theater and always have to put on some glasses. I think the only movies that should truly be animated are cartoons. Some moneys are classic and shouldn’t be altered in any way.
“If you build it they will come.” and If you repackage it they will come again and again and again. Like it or not people are going to go see these films. Hardcore Star Wars fan would pay $7.50 to rewatch the films if Lucas only changed the color of Hon Solo’s belt.
I don’t have a problem with George remastering the films in 3D. Is any one suprised? The reality is, with the relativly modest amout of money Lucafilms has to invest to 3D-alize (I made that word up)…the profits will be astronomical.
My hope is that this dosen’t turn out to be a trend that keeps going, i.e. Indain Jones 3D, Bridget Jones 3D, E.T. 3D(even though that one is fun to say). As Forest Gump 3D would say, “thats all I have to say about that.”
Star Wars, these sagas are probably some of the best movies ever made. Me personally think this is a pretty straight idea, “Recreating Star Wars movies, idea i like.” lol shout out to Yoda haha.
I just think this is great. I have never really been a fan of 3-D but I know that when Episode I comes out in 2012, I will make it in the first few days for sure. like the article said, I dont believe that there is a movie more made for 3-D. I think its a good idea because when a movie like Star-Wars has been out for so long, and would make for such a cool experience in this new-age 3-D, it is like old meeting new. it’s a cool concept, and I look forward to seeing the movie in 2012.
I have to agree with Mark. I am a very avid fan of the Star Wars genre and I actually more dissappointed in this news than glad. It will probably appeal to younger generations but personally I wonder if this 3D trend is simply a fad? Sure it has some backing but I know for me I’m getting tired of everyone advertising there movie as “In 3D.” I much rather enjoy the film as a film as opposed to focusing purely on how realistic its 3D affects are. Plus I find it annoying to wear 3D glasses over my eyeglasses. I think Lucas Films will be sure to make a lot of money off of this, but I believe it’ll do more harm than good in terms of turning die hard saga fans away.
This is just yet one more attempt by Lucas Films to suck more money out of Star Wars. I agree that the films should not be tampered with. Society was on board with them adding three more episodes and a rather uninteresting cartoon film, but I don’t think that the 3D will appeal to the die hard Star Wars fanatics.
Star wars shouldn’t even be tampered with in my opinion. It had its reign with the technology in that era and that what makes it popular. i personally hate 3-D it gives me a headache. They shouldnt even mess with it.
i think this is a good way for star wars to get its name back out there and i also think that 3-D is the way to go. i beleive that the entire media will soon be transforming into 3-D so that people can visually see all the effects and make it feel like you are there in person. i also think that this is a good way to get star wars name back in the picture of motion picture.