Lord of the Rings Returns ... in 3-D?
Filed under: RumorMonger, Fandom, Tech Stuff, DIY/Filmmaking, Peter Jackson
Only three years after the final film hit theaters, Peter Jackson's epic Lord of the Rings trilogy might be returning to the big screen. And, if it does, look for Frodo and friends to be accompanied by the latest 3-D technology.
According to KongisKing.net, a reader got their hands on the September issue of Empire (UK) which features an interview with James Cameron. For those of you completely out of the loop, Cameron is utilizing Peter Jackson's WETA Workshop to help provide the special effects on his upcoming film Avatar. Yes, this means the two monster filmmakers are now best friends. Ain't that cute? Anyway, as typical with Cameron, he's absolutely obsessed with the latest technology and claims Jackson is too. Says Cameron, "Peter Jackson is a 3-D freak like me and he's been experimenting with footage from King Kong. He and I also talked about the feasibility of doing the three LOTR films."
The article also mentions that if these films were to be re-released in 3-D, they would not be limited to IMAX theaters only. Crazy stuff, eh? Seeing as I have not yet taken the leap and checked out a film in 3-D for quite sometime now, it's hard for me to say whether this is a good or bad thing for the trilogy. Heck, tossing aside the whole "Jackson just wants to milk as much money as he can from LOTR" argument, I think it would be pretty cool to see what can be done. I imagine some of those battle sequences would look outstanding. Thoughts?
[via FilmRot]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-17-2006 @ 10:47AM
Phillip Gray said...
Today's stunning 3D is nothing like the previous years when the God awful red and green anglyph process was use in an attempt to lure customers to theatres or, even worse shown on TV. Sadly, for the many people who weren't around In 3Ds real heyday in the 50s the cheap, shoddy anaglyphs are the only reference they have to judge 3D.
3D films of the 50s were made with dual camera polaroid. When projected corrrectly they offered an extremely entertaining process. Unfortunantly the intricacies of having to use two seperate projectors to both film and show the pictures, along with a barrage of gimmicky over the top 3D effects, quickly tired the public of what could have been a permanently enjoyable process.
Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" along with MGMs "Kiss me Kate" and Warner Brothers "Hondo" were all prime examples of effective use of 3D. Unfortunantly they came at a time when audeinces were weary of headaches caused by misaligned projection of the films and a plethora of everything from flaming arrows to wads of spit being projected out of the screen for no reason than to cause a shock reaction, often at an inapropriate during the film.
The spectacular results now offered by IMAX 3D and several other digital 3D films shows the process at its best. If the makers will just continue with a little sanity and look at which films the 3D process will serve best it can become a durable process that offers the viewers something they can't duplicate at home on television.
With the involvement of James Cameron, George Lucas, Richard Zemeckis, Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg they might be able to pull it off this time. The fact that all three have commited and some even released 3D recently there is a pretty good chance this might happen. I've got my fingers crossed.
Phil Gray
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8-17-2006 @ 11:36AM
Tush said...
the LOTR trilogy would be fantastic to watch in 3D. I'd go watch it.
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8-17-2006 @ 12:01PM
ihatemovies said...
How about focusing on making GOOD movies instead? Just a thought, Messrs. Cameron and Jackson.
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8-17-2006 @ 12:15PM
ME said...
That would be kind of cool. But some of the parts would be akward in 3-D. But overall...I would definately go and see it. I haven't really gotten to see all that many movies in 3-D.
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8-17-2006 @ 8:17PM
Ervin said...
I think Peter Jackson has been focused on making GOOD films. I would go watch lotr at the theater again just to see it in its big screen form. Those 3 films are some of the best fantasy films every made. Understandable that everyone doesn’t like the material but really do you believe that these are classified as bad films? As far as 3d is concerned I would love to see this happen I cant think of anything better!
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8-17-2006 @ 11:10PM
Geoff said...
The battle scenes would indeed be awesome in 3D. It's the eight million hours of dialogue that would stop me going to see it.
LOTR: great films, once in a while.
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8-18-2006 @ 12:20PM
Shark said...
Great, a 3D film of a bunch of people walking. Sounds like a fun time to me.
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