The entire Star Wars film saga is going to be shown in another dimension, director George Lucas announced today.
The Jedi will initially return in 3D in 2012, with the 1999 prequel Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, before the remaining films follow.
Lucas was never a fan of 3D but is thought to have changed his mind about the technology following the advances made with big-screen hits like Avatar and Alice In Wonderland.
A statement from Lucasfilm, the US director’s film production company, on the Star Wars website said: “The live-action Star Wars saga will be converted to 3D.
“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.”
It added: “The cutting edge conversion will take that immersion to the next thrilling level.”
The huge undertaking could bring a whole new generation of fans to the famous Lucas films.
On the Star Wars website, a fan, Mike Sa, wrote: “Excellent, I have been waiting to see this, for a very long time”, while another, YodaBauer2442, said:“Maybe by the time 2012 rolls around the glasses will be more comfortable.”
But some were not so confident, with Star Trek actor Simon Pegg writing on Twitter: "Watching TPM (The Phantom Menace) in 3D would be like the car actually crashing into your face as opposed to just unfolding before your eyes."
Industrial Light And Magic, the visual effects company which will supervise the project, said converting the films will take time.
“It takes a critical and artistic eye along with an incredible attention to detail to be successful. It is not something that you can rush if you want to expect good results," visual effects supervisor John Knol said,
“For Star Wars we will take our time, applying everything we know both aesthetically and technically to bring audiences a fantastic new Star Wars experience.”
Last month, it was announced that 3D films such as Toy Story 3 and Shrek Forever After had helped boost UK box office takings by 8 per cent.