'Star Wars' movies start 3-D rollout in 2012

LOS ANGELES — If movie fans thought that after 33 years and six blockbusters they had seen all they would of George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga, they should think again.

They haven't seen it in 3D — not yet, anyway.

Lucasfilm Ltd and Twentieth Century Fox film studio, which are behind the movies, said on Wednesday they will release 3D versions of all six films to theaters starting with "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" in 2012.

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The movies will be converted to 3D by the special effects wizards at Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic.

While some recent films have taken criticism for poor conversions from 2D to 3D, Industrial Light & Magic visual effects supervisor John Knoll promises "getting good results...is a matter of taking the time and getting it right.

The saga famously began with the original "Star Wars" in 1977, telling of a quest by a young man named Luke Skywalker who helps save the universe from evil. It became a smash hit at box offices and was followed by two sequels that also proved to be audience pleasers.

In 1999, Lucas returned to the story with a new trilogy that told the backstory to the first three films. In all, six movies were made, ending with 2005's "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.

The first three movies were re-titled as No.'s 4-6, to keep the sequence straight. In all, the six films have made billions of dollars at worldwide box offices.