Fan of TheForce.net "Jimmy" writes in with this news he recently discovered in Popular Science:

In the magazine Popular Science's June 2006 issue there's an article called "Return Of The 3D". The article features the work of a couple of companies working on transforming 2D movies into high tech 3D films, without the "distortionsi that cause your brain and stomach to revolt."

Specific quotes from the article include...

"...Lucas is expected to release a fully 3-D version of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace next spring."

"The staffers put on pairs of thick glasses and watched as clips from Star Wars were played. Suddenly the screen itself seemed to dissolve away, as scenes stretched out toward the audience. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi's faces grew closer to viewers as the characters prepared to chase a would-be assassin. Pod cars buzzing in the background really appeared to be hundreds of feet away ... Soon, the Jedi Master himself came in. George Lucas sat down, put on the glasses and, within a few minutes, passed judgment: 'I'm sold! I'm sold!'"

There's a bit more, and the article highlights a couple other big-name directors, and some major companies (including ILM) and the technologies being used to turn many movies (not just Star Wars) into big-screen 3D films.

I recieved my issue of Popular Science in the mail, I'm not sure if it's hit stores yet. Also, a web version of the article is still not available on the Popular Science website.

But yeah, seems like we can expect 3-D Star Wars in theaters next year!

-Jimmy

Thanks for the news Jimmy!