Adam Shankman Hints "Hairspray 2" To Be Shot In 3D

Jim here. Got a little interesting news from Collider via FirstShowing that Adam Shankman may be considering HAIRSPRAY 2 in stereoscopic 3D. As you already know, Shankman is producing STEP UP 3-D so he is finely tuned into how to best present dancing/musicals on the big screen.

Some words from Shankman: "There are some really funny ideas, [but] we don't have a writer for it yet.

We were blown away with the tests we just did [for Step Up 3-D] and seeing the dance in 3D, and an arm coming out and flips that are going by your head. It was such an incredible experience.

Yeah, that would be cool in 3-D because it has a pop-sensibility. 3-D should be regulated to things with a pop-sensibility because that’s the experience you want from those kinds of films."

So, obviously you guys know I disagree with Shankman by about 95% regarding his "pop-sensibility" comment. The future of 3D lies in adding depth and inviting the audience INTO a movie rather than blasting them with fireballs and spear tips. Sure, an inventive use of a popping gimmick can sometimes liven up a horror movie or comedy - but the bottom line is 3D must be used well as another option on the palette of the director.

Will STEP UP 3-D and HAIRSPRAY be great 3D movies? Hard to say right now. I have not seen one frame yet and those comments by Shankman do set me back a bit. I do feel though that dance movies, concerts and some live events can get away with some of that "comin' at ya" 3D - just not too much of it.

In the meantime, bring on more! I just saw KA (Cirque du Soleil show) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and was thinking how good it would look on the big screen in 3D. Why not?

Shankman image courtesy of Richard Chavez