When I attended Star Wars Celebration earlier this year, Star Wars series creator George Lucas sat down with TV’s Jon Stewart and promised a full Blu-ray disc set of the entire six-film series next year. Brilliant idea, George. Now, Lucas, who loves new technology and had to use the best available at his own Industrial Light and Magic special effects house to enhance the original three films and make cold, impersonal messes of the last three, is now ready to enter the next digital dimension. 3D.
That’s right director, writer, entrepreneur, one-time Star Wars cameo actor George Lucas wants to rerelease the entire saga in three dimensions, starting in 2012. According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter Lucas was, apparently, only waiting for enough 3D movie screens before he pulled the trigger on adding three dimensions to all six films.
Lucas will start with the newer films and while some Star Wars critics think at least Revenge of the Sith was watchable, 3D could actually help the flat, emotionless Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. On the other hand, films that have been converted to 3D after the fact, like Clash of the Titans, typically do not fare well in visual quality or at the box office. Lucas’ reported plan could turn the classic A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi into muddy messes.
Obviously Lucas is also thinking of revenue (studios usually charge a premium for 3D movie viewing) and of the 3D home viewing market. Early 3D TV shipments sold out and major manufacturers are still bringing new models to market. By the time Star Wars 3D makes it in and out of theaters, we may even see 3D TV’s that do not need special glasses. Perhaps in-home viewing will make the Star Wars 3D experience less painful. As a fan, I somehow doubt it.
Thanks a bunch Avatar.
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