This week Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox announced when the Star Wars re-release in 3D is going to begin. Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace will be the first in the franchise to receive the 3D conversion treatment, landing in theatres February 10, 2012. The remaining five films will follow suit over the course of consecutive years. Reads the press release:

Set against the thrilling and exotic backdrop of a “galaxy far, far away,” Star Wars is perfectly suited to the immersive 3D theatrical experience, and Episode I delivers some of the Saga’s most stunning and spectacular sequences – from the Naboo invasion to the Tatooine Podraces to the climactic lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and the Jedi. Supervised by Industrial Light & Magic, the meticulous conversion is being done with utmost respect for the source material, and with a keen eye for both technological considerations and artistic intentions.

Do we really have to experience Jar Jar Binks in three dimensions? I might skip out on this one and wait for the original trilogy to come back; I advise you to do the same. And for all you couch potatoes out there, don’t forget that the franchise is coming to Blu-ray in September.

[Via Deadline]