All of the Star Wars films will return to the big screen --- only this time, in 3D. We’ve been hearing rumors about this for awhile now, but THR now confirms that George Lucas will milk the franchise once more by releasing new 3D conversions of the films beginning in 2012. The plan is to release all six films --- starting with The Phantom Menace --- in the early months of 2012. Depending on how well The Phantom Menace does, each subsequent Star Wars film will be released in order at the same time each following year. It will supposedly take that long between each film because, according to Lucas, each conversion takes at least a year to complete and to perfect.

Given that it’s Lucas we are talking about, the director will then probably release the 3D versions of the films on DVD after the theatrical re-releases are done. Hit the jump for my thoughts about all of this and why I don’t think it will be that big of a success for Lucas.

I’m extremely curious to see how this is all going to work out. If Lucas was planning on re-releasing the “original trilogy” in 3D, then I’m sure that a ton of people would go to the theater to watch them (myself included). However, Lucas is starting off with The Phantom Menace. I, personally, can’t see people lining up outside of the theater to watch The Phantom Menace in 3D. Can you? Since the release of the following films depends on the box office gross of The Phantom Menace, I wonder if we will really get to see A New Hope or Empire Strikes Back get their theatrical re-releases in 2015 and 2016.

Another thing to keep in mind: all of these films will be post-converted. So far we’ve only seen nothing but bad post-converted 3D films. It will be interesting to see how the 3D in these films will turn out. Anyway, will you be lining up to go see all of the films? Let us know in the comments below.