We’ve learnt today that plans are underway to re-release the Box-office hit Titanic, one of Belfast‘s most famous export’s. The film is currently being brought to life in 3D by Avatar director James Cameron.
Because of the success of Avatar — and now Alice in Wonderland — studios are scrambling to release as many big titles in 3D as possible. Thanks to computer technology, 3D effects can be added to films shot without the use of 3D-specific cameras like Cameron used for Avatar.
This includes Warner Bros.’s Clash of the Titans, a film that was not shot in 3D, but was converted to 3D over an eight-week period in hopes of capturing more attention (and higher ticket sales) at the box office.
While Cameron was critical of how little time some of these conversions were taking, he wasn’t opposed to the idea that old titles be converted — as long as the original director is the one who oversees the process.
From the interview:
“They’re converting Clash of the Titans in eight weeks. But I’m guessing six months to a year to do it right. We’re targeting spring of 2012 for the release (of a 3D version of Titanic), which is the 100 year anniversary of the sailing of the ship.”
Titanic, for its time, was actually a quite technically advanced film. Many of the interior and exterior shots were completely computer-generated, as was much of the water in the film. That offers up some better options when re-processing the film for 3D because artists are working with digital imagery — not to mention the improvements in visual effects and CGI that have taken place in the ensuing 13 years.
Speaking at All Things Digital conference in California earlier this week, Cameron confirmed when asked about the project. Scheduled for release in 2012 to coincide with the hundredth anniversary of the disaster, the process of adding a third dimension to the 1997 blockbuster will reportedly cost “millions of dollars”.
Cameron did admit, however, that Hollywood’s current fascination with 3D gimmickry could turn viewers off.
“There’s going to be a time when we have a serious risk of debasing the coinage,” Cameron said. When people pay extra to have a bad experience it’s really going to slow things down.”
