Star Wars saga returns to theatres in 3D

The influential Star Wars film franchise will get a 3D revamp and reappear in theatres, Lucasfilm has announced.

The studio announced plans to re-release the six live-action Star Wars films in 3D beginning in 2012.

"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," the studio said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

"The cutting edge conversion will take that immersion to the next thrilling level."

The 3D re-releases will begin with Star Wars: EpisodeI The Phantom Menace and proceed chronologically through to the final film, Star Wars: Episode VI The Return of the Jedi.

Industrial Light & Magic, which Star Wars creator George Lucas established to produce the special effects for his original 1977 film, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, will oversee the 3D conversion.

The announcement sparked divided reaction from fans online, with some expressing excitement at the prospect of the space adventure saga being translated into eye-popping 3D. Others, however, were more skeptical.

"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," quipped British actor and comedian Simon Pegg via Twitter.