STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE Coming To 3D Theaters February 10, 2012!!!

YES!!! Finally we have a release announcement on the 3D conversions of STAR WARS and thanks to all that forwarded me the news. I was a bit surprised by the later date as I thought it would be around the holidays, but no matter. What counts is we are finally seeing the classics we know and love being converted to 3D in a loving fashion.

Here's the official press release (emphasis is mine):
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (March 3, 2011) – Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox announced today that the 3D theatrical launch of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace now has an official release date – February 10, 2012! 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.

Stay tuned for more STAR WARS conversion news and of course our exclusive coverage on a third trilogy set in the STAR WARS universe that is in the works. Follow all our STAR WARS news right here.

Update On The New STARS WARS Trilogy: What To Believe And What Not To

Guys - my top source in Lucasfilm just updated me on just what holds water with the IESB claims (because some is different from our reports) and what DOESN'T hold water. In other words, what should we be anticipating with this new trilogy??

Quote - IESB: "What do we know? First of all, these new film will have nothing to do with the live action television series currently in development. That show already has over 50 scripts ready to go and plenty of pre-production time and money has been spent on artwork and storyboards. Once that show goes into production, Lucasfilm hopes to be able to produce at least 100 episodes since that is the threshold for syndication in the United States."

This is true, the pictures will have little to nothing to do with the TV show, as it stands right now! Lots and lots of money has been spent creating what I am sure will be a TV classic. It will run 100 episodes at least.

Quote - IESB: "...fans can expect the new trilogy after the entire saga is released in 3D which is expected to be complete around 2015 or 2016."

Again accurate.

Quote - IESB: "Uncle George's modus operandi has not changed, the plan is that he will self finance the new trilogy after he rakes in an expected $500 - $750 million dollars with the re-release of the entire Star Wars Saga in 3D and on Blu-Ray."

Speculation NOT journalism.

Quote - IESB: "The ideal plan, according to our spy at Skywalker Ranch, is to be able to release a new Star Wars film within 24 months after the release of the last re-re-release (is that right?) of Return of the Jedi 3D."

There is a 100 episode TV series to be completed, nothing will move forward on the a new trilogy until after this show is all but done. PERIOD! As well as the conversions this is going to take time, so do not expect anything for quite some time. The dates are not set and it is all speculation as to when where and what the timeframe will be, what I can tell you is that it will not be until after the TV show is all but done.

It will be 3D (obviously).

Quote - IESB: "Too early for story details but one thing that our source is certain about, they will not be prequels but instead sequels. It's not for certain if they will be the long awaited Episodes 7, 8 and 9 but could instead be Episodes 10, 11 and 12 or possibly even further out in the Star Wars timeline. And by giving space in the timeline, possibly even as far as 100 years or 1,000 years in the Star Wars universe future, Lucas avoids having to make these stories "fit in" with what the previous stories have told."

This is where I call out the article from IESB as fabrication. "1000 years into the STARWARS future?" While Lucas is a clever business man he is not a complete fool, even if many think he is. Bottom line, this is bullsh*t, why ? Well because it "IS" episodes 7 - 9 we are talking about here, (IESB is wrong). 10, 11, and 12 ? Where the hell does that come from ?

Quote - IESB: "According to our sources, the most likely scenario for the films is that they will exist in the same universe but will not have anything to do with the Skywalker Clan. That story has been told, that starship has sailed."

Do I really have to comment on why this is wrong? Again speculation not journalism. Where as I am the first to speculate, I am helped by informed opinion and also knowledge of what I speak of. IESB is obviously not, and neither is THEIR source.

Quote - IESB: "What has caused this sudden change of heart for Uncle George? Well, besides the obvious possible billions that a new Star Wars trilogy will take in, our source tells us that George has gotten motivated with the success the Clone Wars animated series, the video games and also with the success of Avatar."

Partially true, AVATAR is a big reason for this, however, may I point out this was always the plan, and will continue to be the plan, even if George is not around in body to achieve it himself! Episodes 7 - 9 complete the story arc.

Quote - IESB: "Can we expect Lucasfilm to confirm our story? Have they ever? Nope, I am sure that they will spin this or completely deny the story, but we will stand 100% behind our source."

No, never. However, I suggest they not only stand behind THEIR source, but while standing behind the source they start to tiptoe in another direction. Should this source exist that is. Which I doubt.

Remember guys, here is what you need to keep in mind:
1. This is a future project, not tomorrow.
2. Discussions are ongoing.
3. The Skywalker's will be the focus, in keeping with the arc.
4. These will be the final 3 episodes of the saga.
5. Lucas will be producing.
6. As it stands now the plan is for Lucas to NOT direct.

More when I get it. Which may be awhile now that IESB has stirred up the hornet's nest with a fake story. Lucasfilm will be like Fort Knox. Thanks alot.

Our New STAR WARS Trilogy Story Is Backed Up: Other Website Claiming As Their Own

Well what can you expect from IESB.net? That site has had a very deceitful past and they seem to be carrying on with deceit.

IESB has claimed to have an exclusive story that there is a new STAR WARS trilogy coming down the pipes.

Ummm no. MarketSaw had that exclusive story A YEAR AGO. We are still working on that story and have some exciting news hopefully coming down soon. Our sources are the best in the world and I will defend them and this site anytime.

Getting over the fact that IESB has stolen this story, I am very excited about what is developing over at Lucasfilm. As I said, I can't divulge what I have been working on yet because it is very, VERY hush hush. Other than letting you know I have heard it will be in 3D and that George Lucas is more than likely producing and not directing, I can't go much further on the story today.

If you will remember Steve Sansweet of Lucasfilm tried to cover up my story last year but in reality most STAR WARS fans know that they tend to cover up true stories with lies as they have in the past.

So, keep it tuned to MarketSaw for the latest on this huge, HUGE story.

Emmerich Channeling AVATAR For His Take On Asimov's FOUNDATION!!!

Jim here.WOW. I do believe there will be a few special effects in these movies! Roland Emmerich has announced he will direct a trilogy of movies based upon Isaac Asimov's FOUNDATION sci-fi books. If you are a sci-fi (and even if you are not) the name should ring a bell.

From MTV Movies Blog (emphasis is mine): Emmerich said. "It has to be done all CG because I would not know how to shoot this thing in real."

When asked if that meant 'Foundation' would be in 3-D and mo-cap, Emmerich replied, "Yes."

Probed even further, Emmerich said he's looking forward to a new challenge at this point in his career. "Probably now all big movies have to be 3-D," he said. "It's not only the effect of 3-D, ['Avatar' has] just shown that if you do a movie in 3-D, you can ask for more money and that's the trick. I think now everybody who does bigger movies has to shoot them in 3-D. I think there's no way around it. I was on the set of 'Avatar' and I saw how it worked and I really thought, 'That's the ultimate way of making movies.' "

Well I happen to agree with him! Emmerich will apparently get his script by Friday from writer Robert Rodat (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN). Would love to have a copy of that...

I do believe science fiction has turned the corner now into S3D and not just that genre either. As Emmerich stated, all big movies will have to go 3D to stay competitive. :-)

I am a HUGE Asimov fan and seeing this trilogy under way is simply amazing! And in S3D? It will be breathtaking...

More Confirmation That Our Exclusive Story On A New Star Wars Trilogy Is Happening

Jim here. Remember in MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL when Tim the wizard informed the knights about the killer rabbit? What was his response when the rabbit started making stew out of them? Well I told ya. Didn't I?

STAR WARS is going to have another trilogy and it will be in 3D (see original story right here). The first supporting piece of outside information comes from AICN, who ironically also provided the sole piece of anti-support when they contacted LucasFilm and got an rather emphatic "no" (what did you expect them to say?). In fact, Lucasfilm's Steve Sansweet's response was so over the top you had to know he was covering it up.

So what was this new evidence of a new STAR WARS entry? It comes from Thomas Dolby's blog entry for December 5.

When I posted that exclusive story back on October 21, it was picked up around the world of course as STAR WARS is a beloved cultural achievement. I was very clear in the post: This trilogy was NOT the animated TV series and is in fact a brand new batch of freshly baked cinematic movies.

Further, I made it clear that George Lucas would NOT be directing, but rather taking up the producing helm. Who could be directing? My source tells me it will be Spielberg for the first and Coppola potentially for a future movie in the series.

Makes me smile every time my sources and I are vindicated. :-) Sure it still is not official, and obviously Lucasfilm doesn't want this getting out just yet. But this is MarketSaw right guys? And we will all be smiling when these epics make it out in 3D. Should be spectacular. AVATAR spectacular? We shall see won't we?

Thanks to @PROJECTCOULD for the heads up again!