Just when you thought Blighty backroom abortions in the 1950s couldn’t be any cooler, word from a source close to other sources that told me something I am hearing have alerted me to the rumor Mike Leigh is prepping a sequel to his 2004 Oscar-nominated drama Vera Drake. Of course, the most awesomest news here is that he will be doing it in 3D. On top of this, as one final gesture before closing shop, Miramax is also going back and converting Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky into 3D. Poppy will quite literally “pop” off the screen! Oh, and Steven Spielberg is looking to convert Schindler’s List as well.
Of course, none of this is true, and why would it be? I mean, after all, what would any of those film’s gain if they were presented in 3D? Not to mention the even sillier idea of converting a film from 2D into 3D. That’s just dumb… right?
I bring this up because news has now surfaced that Warner Bros. is converting their upcoming Clash of the Titans remake and the final two Harry Potter films into 3D. This is news that makes my stomach churn as it’s obviously not a move to improve the films in any way, it’s simply a means to make a boatload more money.
According to Carl DiOrio’s write up at The Hollywood Reporter the decision will cost Warner Bros. approximately $10 million per film ($5 million for the glasses and $5 million for the conversion). As I mentioned in my article concerning Avatar‘s box-office returns, “80 percent of theatrical revenue for the film came from 3-D ticket sales.” At this moment Avatar has made $561 million at the domestic box-office, and using the same math I used in my previous article, Avatar‘s domestic total has received a bonus of approximately $105 million as a result of a hike in ticket prices for 3D screenings.
Over at Ain’t It Cool News, Harry Knowles looks at Warner Bros.’ decision saying, ” This is AWESOME news… If you want a quick example of how Avatar is changing cinema – here you have it.” I know this isn’t what he means, but I could read that and say Yes Harry, I see how greed is becoming even more blatant as the cinematic landscape changes. After all, this isn’t 3D as brought to you by James Cameron’s Avatar, this is a last second decision looking for an extra buck.
Speaking of which, I should make it clear I’m only comparing the Warner Bros. move to Avatar because it’s an obvious money grab not because either film will be on the visual level of Avatar. WB sees it as a way of spending $10 million and making an additional $30 or $50 million (perhaps Potter could even make it an extra $75 million per film). I’m not talking about films made in 3D from the get-go, I’m simply looking at this idea of taking a finished film and converting it with a gimmick and calling it better.
As studios try to convince audiences 3D somehow improves films I’m reminded of a quote from White Ribbon director Michael Haneke, which he gave to ComingSoon.net‘s Ed Douglas when asked about the lack of a score in his Cannes Palm d’Or-winning film:
In real life, you only hear music when it’s actually being played. (chuckles) In general, musical score is only used to cover up the weaknesses of the film. If the film works dramatically and there’s enough tension, then you don’t need music. I always find it too easy. It’s cheap and cowardly using music.
Now, Haneke is obviously taking this to the extreme (who doesn’t love a well-executed score?), but — beyond the monetary gain — what is 3D if it isn’t “used to cover up the weaknesses of [a] film”? And for those of you in the “but 3D films are closer to real life” camp, I would agree, if the the 3D came out of the screen and didn’t go back into it.
I had a blast with Avatar and I am really looking forward to Alice in Wonderland, but I am praying the studio doesn’t hold review screenings of Clash of the Titans and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this converted 3D format. Honestly, I see it as showing weakness in the director. I wonder, after seeing the early trailers for Christopher Nolan’s Inception doesn’t it look like a film WB execs would be drooling over to convert to 3D? Do you think Nolan would let them?tev
