'Star Wars' Movies to Be Re-Released in 3D Starting in 2012

You knew this was bound to happen eventually, since it's been something we've been talking about for years. Yes, fans, George Lucas and LucasFilm have announced that beginning in 2012, they'll be re-releasing all six Star Wars films in theaters in 3D. The plan right now is to release one film per year, beginning with Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Naturally, hardcore fans (and haters of all things George Lucas) have jumped at the chance to bash this decision, calling it nothing but a cash-grab (ie: way to make even more money off the franchise), though I don't think people realize the potential here. Sure, it all depends on the conversion process, which LucasFilm claims will be a lot better than what we've seen from previous converted films.

Star Wars was filmed as if Lucas knew they would eventually be converted to 3D – with huge battle sequences and massive landscapes. Just think about how wild Luke's final flight to destroy the Death Star in A New Hope would look in 3D, or the opening battle scene in Empire Strikes Back. Heck, even the Darth Maul fight at the end of Phantom Menace would look pretty sweet. But if they somehow manage to make these films look good in 3D, just think about how many iconic scenes will look awesome in three dimensions. So much ofwas filmed as if Lucas knew they would eventually be converted to 3D – with huge battle sequences and massive landscapes. Just think about how wild Luke's final flight to destroy the Death Star inwould look in 3D, or the opening battle scene in. Heck, even the Darth Maul fight at the end ofwould look pretty sweet.

So, yeah, I guess you can bash Lucas all you want, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't welcoming these 3D conversions with open arms.

What about you? Will you see the new 3D films, or have you wasted enough money on this franchise over the years?