Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox announced today Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace has a 3D theatrical release date - February 10, 2012.
The press release explains some of the reasoning behind converting the 3D version of the film, besides loads more money of course: "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."
The film follows the beginning of the Star Wars saga when Darth Vadar was just a little boy named Anakin Skywalker, before he fell to the dark side.