INCEPTION Being Converted To 3D For Disc!! And CLASH OF THE TITANS 2 Details...

I thought this wouldn't happen after hearing Wally Pfister carry on (and on and on) about 3D, but here it is at last!

An interview with Jonathan Liebesman by my good friend Steve at Collider has uncovered that Christopher Nolan's INCEPTION is being converted to 3D for disc!

Here is the excerpt of note:
Are you filming (CLASH OF THE TITANS 2) in 3D?
From the start, Clash 2 has been conceived as a 3D picture. The sets, the way I’m going to shoot the choreography of the shots, because what we’re gonna instead of say 4 shots we’re gonna do 1, I’m even gonna shoot it in a 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Sam Worthington put me in touch with Jim Cameron, we spoke a lot about aspect ratios and 3D. He said something that really stuck with me which was, 2D scope is 2.3:1. That feels scope in 2D, for 3D he felt like 1.8:1. And we have a lot of big creatures so I want that vertical space so I don’t have to cut so I’m also gonna shoot in 1.8:1. I did a bunch of test with different digital cameras…and the one thing that was very difficult for me was, I felt for a Greek epic I wanted to shoot on film to get that texture that I was looking for with that motion blur. The clincher for me was Warner Bros. showed me how far conversion had come. They showed me Chris Nolan Inception converting for the DVD, they showed me Harry Potter being converted. So now what we’re doing is, I wanna shoot film, we’re gonna have what are called stereographers on set who are guys who are sitting there advising you. It’s a completely different situation to Clash 1…Look I would always prefer to shoot native, I just feel like film is the way to go with a Greek epic. Especially the way I wanna shoot it, which is more old school.

Be sure to read or watch the rest of the great interview where Liebesman talks about the upcoming CLASH OF THE TITANS 2 3D conversion that he will be shooting WITH 3D IN MIND, an on set stereographer and in 1.8:1 ratio (perfect for S3D).

Says Liebesman: "For me, taking Greek mythology and all that fantasy and putting it in a real world that’s epic, like Gladiator, like a big Ridley Scott movie, and taking all that fantasy and putting it in, grounding it, making it feel real, that’s the movie that I wanted to see when I walked into Clash 1 and that’s the movie that Clash 2 is gonna be. That’s what I was looking for, I was looking to come in and have a real, intense, visceral kick-ass experience with spectacle but grounded, with great actors, and that’s what the second one will be."

Can't wait to see these!!

Why INCEPTION Should Have Been Made In Native 3D

*Minor Spoilers*

I don't know about you guys but I loved INCEPTION. I saw it twice this weekend and may take it in again soon. It is hard to take it all in with only one or two screenings so a third screening is more than likely for me.

But it could have been even better. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I think Christopher Nolan's achievement with the film is one of Hollywood's definitive moments in history. But in all seriousness he could have knocked this one out of the park with 3D.

How would INCEPTION be improved with 3D? The superb slow motion sequences, the zero gravity and 360 degree fight scenes, the various architect's environment manipulations, the chase scenes, the list goes on. 3D would have brought us into their dream states all that much more. It would have been spectacular to see the streets of Paris flip upside down in 3D and see that illusion of depth in the outdoor mirror scene.

What would have suffered or not existed at all in 3D? Parts of the movie just would not work in 3D, like the shaky cam scenes or the extremely fast cut fight sequences. Nolan could have still worked those bits in though using longer takes and less emphasis on shaky cam for realism and more on immersion. It would have worked.

Will Nolan work in 3D in the future? Yes. I don't think he has a choice - especially with his relationship with Warner Bros. who are embracing 3D wholeheartedly. It is the future of cinema.

Nolan's recent stance on 3D has been: "We did tests on 'Inception' with the different post-conversion processes, and they all went very well," Nolan told the crowd during a Q&A. "It's quite easy to do, in fact. But it takes a little time, and we didn't have time to do it to the standards that I would be happy with."

"There is no question if audiences want to watch films in stereoscopic imaging, that's what the studios will be doing, and that's what I'll be doing."

Michael Bay has no choice either. That's why TRANSFORMERS 3 will be in 3D. It is happening now whether you planned on it or not. Audiences have spoken. Both Bay and Nolan prefer to work in 35mm but with 3D pushing harder and harder, combined with the backlash against 3D conversion (which 35mm mandates) you will see both of these men start to work with digital. I don't think they will settle for 3D conversion at this point though. As that technology improves they will adjust but for now I think they will want native 3D.

In the end, I am still very satisfied with the movie. I still shake my head at times in the movie, thinking "what if" but it is a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

EXCLUSIVE CONFIRMED! Warner Bros Will Announce Three 3D Movies That Are Currently 2D - Two Are Major Tentpoles!

**ANOTHER SAME DAY UPDATE: Did HEAT VISION try to steal my thunder? See the photo showing our post times - I am clearly ahead of them with the Warner news. Don't know for sure if they tried to act fast to cover up the fact I beat them or not. I certainly hope they didn't do that on purpose (click to enlarge).

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Count this one as CONFIRMED! THR's Heat Vision Blog has confirmed that not only will CLASH OF THE TITANS be in S3D, but so will BOTH HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOW movies!

Accordingly, TITANS has been pushed back one week to April 2. The conversion is now only costing a mere $5 million to achieve per movie. That is nothing compared to the upside.

Jim here. I have to say I love this rumor and you heard it here first guys! Warner Bros is apparently going to announce before the END OF THIS WEEK that three of their current roster of 2D movies will become 3D movies!

This comes from a new source for us with whom I have dealt only once before. Here's hoping! Anyway, we will know soon if I can trust this guy :-)

I am assuming that one of them will be CLASH OF THE TITANS as you heard here on January 16. The stereo testing for TITANS went amazingly well.

Man oh man I hope the other is INCEPTION should this come to pass. :-) What do you think?