While audiences might have flocked to see Disney’s 3D re-release of THE LION KING last week, propelling the 17 year old film to the top of the box office charts, it’s hard to imagine Lucas enjoying the same level of success with the upcoming conversion of THE PHANTOM MENACE. Whereas THE LION KING is almost universally regarded as an animated classic, TPM was greeted with the kind of critical response usually reserved for the latest Uwe Boll offering.

Sure, there’s a new generation of fans out there that have grown up with the prequel trilogy, but it’s hard to imagine their presence alone will be enough to satisfy Uncle George. ‘Isn’t that a good thing’, you might well ask? Not really. Because it’s been widely reported that if TPM’s 3D re-issue bombs, they’ll be no AOTC, no ROTS, (and he’s where my point kicks in) no ANH, ESB, or ROTJ! Full disclosure – I couldn’t give a monkey’s about 3D. Can’t see it properly (might as well be watching a bootleg), can’t afford the inflated ticket prices, and I can’t stand wearing those goggles over my glasses. That said, I am an unabashed STAR WARS fan (yep, even TPM) and want the franchise to be able to live on long after I myself turn into a Force Ghost, so the success of this 3D release is pretty important. Was gambling the future of these releases solely on TPM a smart move? No. Even Jar-Jar would have balked at the idea. But I for one hope audiences might give it another shot. It’s really not that bad, guys. AOTC on the other hand… yikes.

Anyway. Why were we talking about this again? Oh yeah. Here’s the new poster…

Good (Sith) lord, that’s terrible. Makes you weep for the days of Struzan doesn’t it. Do studios really think audiences respond to these Photoshop nightmares over original artwork? And where’s Anakin? Qui-Gon? Mace? Jar-Jar? What gives?! 

Also worthy to note is the all-singing, all-dancing CGI Yoda replaces the original puppet here – meaning these releases will no doubt be incorporating the Blu-ray cuts. Altogether now: “Noooooooo! Noooooooooooooooooo!”

STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE 3D opens across the Universe on February 10th 2012.

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