For those of you who think 3D is a gimmick and will disappear as quickly as it did in the 1950s, you’re right about the gimmick part. But the technology seems to be here to stay. Hollywood has been headed in that direction for past couple of years, but with the incomprehensible success of James Cameron’s 3D extravaganza, “Avatar” everybody and their sister has been tacking on 3D to anything and everything all for the extra couple of bucks the audience is required to pay for the “experience.”

The latest victim of the shameless 3D craze is sure to upset a great number of cult film junkies. Screen Daily is reporting that Japanese studio Toei is planning to release a 3D version of Kinji Fukasaku’s gory action thriller “Battle Royale,” one of the most widely screened Japanese films in history.

Despite attempts by Japanese politicians to ban the film for its portrayal of utlra-violent adolescents, in 2000 the film grossed $26m in Japan and was sold to 35 territories worldwide.  It has since become a worldwide cult hit among the younger generation of film buffs and enthusiasts.

Fukasaku’s son, Kenta Fukasaku, is supervising the up-conversion to 3D in Tokyo through this production company Fukasaku-Gumi.

Even for 3D enthusiasts, this news will probably not be received well considering “Battle Royale” wasn’t shot with 3D in mind which usually spells doom for the quality of the final product (see “Clash of the Titans” and “Alice in Wonderland”).

Market screenings of the newly up-converted 3D film will take place in October followed by a wide release in Japan on November 20.