Disney Scraps Plans for Star Wars: Episode II and III in 3D

Posted by on January 29th, 2013   Filed under: Action, Sci-fi, Technology
Source: Deadline

In a move that will probably disappoint no one, Disney has announced that they will be canceling their upcoming 3D re-releases of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Originally Lucasfilm had planned to re-release all of the Star Wars movies in 3D at a rate of one per year, but they changed up that strategy after Episode I hit theatres, announcing that the next two would be released back to back in September and October of 2013 instead. The assumption was that they just wanted to get to the original trilogy since that was what fans were most interested in anyway. Now it’s unclear if the original trilogy will get a 3D re-release at all, but for the time being Disney is just focused on rebooting the franchise.

The 3D version of Star Wars: Episode I was released last February and made just $43 million domestically. Although it made over $100 million worldwide, the numbers were clearly weak enough to make Lucasfilm wary. In general, it seems that 3D re-releases are losing steam very quickly as of late; for example, Fox canceled their Independence Day re-release late last year. However, Disney is the one studio that has had some decent success with 3D re-issues (The Lion King 3D being the biggest hit).

It’s interesting to note that the official Star Wars site says that the 3D re-releases have just been “postponed.” It’s possible that the 3D versions will come out closer to Episode VII as a way of generating hype. However, it is now looking like Episode VII may not necessarily be locked down for a 2015 release as originally reported, so who knows when that will be. Are you disappointed by this news? Would you still like to see the original trilogy re-released in 3D at some point?



  • Gregg

    I sat through the Phantom Menace at a Midnight screening with my friend, just so that one day I might be able to see the Empire Strikes Back in 3D.
    Maybe a 3D Blu re-release?

  • I saw something else that mentioned the fact that because Lucas hadn’t intended to make any new films, they were still going to go ahead with the 3D re-releases of all the old ones, but a lot has changed since then obviously, and LucasFilm’s top priority now is to get Episode VII up and running. No sense pumping time, money, and resources into converting the rest of the original films when actually making NEW films will be much better for everyone involved. Well, except for Fox, who still have rights to the originals, don’t they? They’re kind of the low man on the totem pole at this point though.

  • Henrik

    I wanted to see Episode 3 in 3D…

  • Bas

    HFR or GTFO!

  • patrik

    And already the air seems a little cleaner. I think we’re in for good things with Disney Star Wars.

  • Scott

    GOOD.

  • Mrespony

    What, no 3D version of Anakin feeding Padme CGI fruit using the Force?

  • Scott

    I won’t get to see “Kiss me like you did by the lake on Naboo.” in 3D?!?

    No, “You were supposed to defeat the Sith, not join them!” in 3D?!?!?

    BULLOCKS!

  • Stinker

    Well, first who cares ? Number 1 in 3 d was not that what Lucas and his “underlings” hoped, Boxoffice wise. And know after Lucas sold his empire to the deveil for 30 pieces of Gold, it dawned that 2 and 3 in 3 D would be a waste of money.

    Then again 4 and 5 and 6 in 3 D is a real nice teaser before number 7 hits the megaplex next to you.

    Your in a megaplex, and 10 Minutes of a GOOD Star Wars Movie for free in 3 D, the 2nd deathstar Battle in 3 D would be real butt lifter, and then the trailer for 7.

    And then some movie nobody gonna care, like …Captain America: THE Winter Soldier.