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]