3D re-release news: Revenge of the Sith moves up a week, Independence Day cancelled altogether

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Re-releasing classic “event” or “adventure” movies in 3D has become a bit of a trend lately that seems unlikely to outright die out anytime soon as the money is, comparatively speaking, just too good. There’s no need to pay crew for overtime, no need to argue with a director over creative vision, no need to shell out for lost or damaged equipment, no need to deal with flying large casts and crews to and from filming locations – that’s all been done already.

STAR WARS: EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D already tested the waters for fan receptiveness to the re-release of the STAR WARS series in 3D, and received a worldwide total of $102.7 million for its efforts. Which, while not stellar in the Fox’s mind I’m sure, is still a nice chunk of change to put towards future STAR WARS films.  Or maybe just towards the other 3D re-releases, as there are two more still coming down the pipe.  STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES 3D is currently set to come out on September 20th, 2013 and square off against another 3D re-release (THE LITTLE MERMAID 3D), while STAR WARS EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH 3D will now arrive on October 4th, 2013 (a week earlier than its previously-planned date of October 11th, 2013).

Meanwhile, on a less-than-fun front for all you fans of explosive sci-fi out there, INDEPENDENCE DAY 3D has had its release plans cancelled altogether for reasons currently unknown.  It was originally going to invade theaters on February 10th, 2013, but I hope you didn’t get that date tattooed in excitement because, well, it’s not anymore.

We’ll be sure to let you know what happened if and when the information becomes known – there are any number of reasons why a 3D re-release may have been delayed, including the simple reason of there being a disappointment on the creative side of things with the results of the conversion process.  Curious though that the movie’s 3D re-release wasn’t just delayed, but rather cancelled outright – what do you think happened?