MUMBAI: 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm have decided to release Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 3D in February 2012.

George Lucas believes that releasing the film early in the year will give it an open run at the box-office and will also set up the opportunity to sell its merchandise the rest of the year.

The plan is to release the subsequent five films in the series an annual event on the film calendar. Currently, the only movie slated for February 2012 is Sony's Ghost Rider 2, also in 3D on 17 February.