AVATAR The *TOP* Domestic Movie EVER in December!!

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Comingsoon.net reports that Fox's official number is $77,025,481 which is just short of the Will Smith thriller. It is essentially a dead heat between the two but looks like AVATAR might be in position #2. Bah.

Jim here. I knew the weather was letting up a little bit and it seems many others believed so too and helped push AVATAR past I AM LEGEND to the top December box office opening weekend of all time!

To further ice the cake, AVATAR is an original property. Get this: AVATAR dropped practically NOTHING from Saturday to Sunday (only 3%!) and is experiencing tremendously powerful word of mouth.

Fox is confident that the record will hold for the final official tally. AVATAR opened on 3,452 screens with 2,023 of them being 3D.

The revised number for worldwide box office take now stands at an amazing $236.5 million - despite the massive winter storm in northeastern US and the European deep freeze. IMAX theaters also broke records with AVATAR besting TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN by a margin of $13.6 million to $11.3 million.

The winter storms will only solidify the legs of AVATAR and you will see continued masses flocking to AVATAR as the weather improves and then of course the holidays are upon us. Looking very good guys!! Love it!

Source: Variety

ICE AGE 3D And TRANSFORMERS 2 Battle It Out At The Box Office

**UPDATE: July 5 - Both movies are neck and neck at $42.5 million projected for the weekend - Interesting race! Still say 3D wins out (in fewer theaters mind you!)- here are the estimates (Box Office Mojo):

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, JULY 3-5, 2009

Movie Title (Distributor) | Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Fox)
$42.5 million | 4,099 | $67.5 million | 1

1. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Paramount (DreamWorks))
$42.5 million | 4,234 | $293.5 million | 2

3. Public Enemies (Universal)
$26.2 million | 3,334 | $41.0 million | 1

4. The Proposal (Buena Vista)
$12.8 million | 3,099 | $94.2 million | 3

5. The Hangover (Warner Bros.)
$10.4 million | 3,070 | $204.2 million | 5

Jim here. After the 3D animated movie ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS captured top spot in the box office on this past Wednesday ($13.8m vs $11m), TRANSFORMERS 2 in plain ol' 2D managed to grab back Thursday ($11.5m vs. $11.1m) and Friday's crown ($17.8m vs. $17m) so it is anybody's guess for today's victory as the afternoon matinees light up.

My money is on ICE AGE as the families will be out in full force this weekend. And lets face it - and Michael Bay better be facing it too: If he had done TF2 in 3D, his box office would have been monstrous. And he definitely would have taken the all time 5 day release record from THE DARK KNIGHT.

Bay still claims he is not interested in 3D at the moment but we all know Bay is all about the money. He doesn't hide from it either - it is clear in his interviews: A recent Forbes magazine article has him boldly entitled "Michael Bay, Making movies, enemies AND A LOT OF MONEY". So do I see 3D in Bay's future? Oh yes.

So expect ICE AGE with it's third dimension beat out TF2 today and perhaps tomorrow. The claim for the weekend is completely up in the air though. Lets see!

Fox OFFICIALLY Kills AVATAR Trailer In Front Of TRANSFORMERS 2

Jim here. I have gotten OFFICIAL word from Fox that the AVATAR trailer will absolutely NOT play in front of TRANFORMERS 2. All previous communications had left the door open to the possibility.

I asked for an unconditional "NO" and I got it from a Fox rep. Therefore we are back to the drawing board as far as knowing when a trailer will be out.

Perhaps moreover, we have at least several disgruntled sources who are not impressed with the revelation. When I came back to them with the contents of this new post today, believe me - some were LIVID. Some were expecting this - others not. This much is certain though - there was an internal deadline to meet for trailer development for TF2. Now... not so much.

There is more than meets the eye here, but I am not going to go into details as the bigger picture is we need to get a trailer out and/or ensure AVATAR is a kick-butt product. We all want to see a great trailer come out and everyone is under a lot of pressure at Fox.

The finished product is going to be spectacular and well worth the wait - on this we cannot be more clear. AVATAR is an industry defining project.

I would easily give up ALL trailers, posters and promos of AVATAR to get the best possible product come December. You know what I mean? I think you do... So take that into consideration guys - you know who you are - the work you guys are doing will be more than entertainment - its history in the making. We are all rooting for you.

AVATAR Trailer Is In Front Of TRANSFORMERS 2!

Ok - these pics are NOT authentic. I have a number of sources and they all have now contacted me except for one (far off time zone) and they all say NO. I am tempted to remove them, but heck why not leave it up so you can see the lengths at which people will go to create some excitement around AVATAR. I left the last batch up too so why not.

**SAME DAY UPDATE #2: Trusted source number 2 backs up TRANSFORMERS 2 as the AVATAR trailer winner too. The pics? Fake. I am just about ready to pull them.

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Trusted source number 1 backs up the TRANSFORMERS 2 information but can't believe that is the titling for the movie. Another good point made by a reader is that why a 3D trailer version in front of a 2D movie? Unless they are showing this trailer on digital screens that will show both. It is very possible. Audiences would need 3D glasses for only the trailer obviously. Still waiting on further confirmation from other sources.

Jim here. Guys! I think this is it! I just got word from a source of mine in Europe - Can't say how he got it, but here are some photos of the Trailer disks and the trailer titling!!

Man that titling looks awesome! lol - I can't believe I am thrilled with just seeing titling - but there it is lol. We are finally going to see the AVATAR trailer and it is in front of TRANSFORMERS 2. I have heard that from multiple sources and while it seems that TERMINATOR: SALVATION was in the running, TRANSFORMERS 2 won out.

The length for Trailer A appears to be 2 minutes 41 seconds and this copy is a DTS 3D version.

I have been duped in the past by someone with what seemed to be hard drives of AVATAR trailers, but this I believe to be authentic. I am also checking my other sources for verification but in the meantime - take a look! :-)

Not All IMAX Screens Are Created Equal

Michael here. Tonight I attended one of the 20 special screenings of the first Transformers movie and new Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen trailer at The Bridge IMAX in Los Angeles. We got a special visit from Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, and Tyrese Gibson, who introduced the clip and whipped the already primed audience into a frenzy.  Bay said that he has just shot the last bits of the film.  Anyway, for those of you who haven't already seen shoddy cam versions of the trailer, it should be online tomorrow in HD.

Needless to say, the trailer, which was played three times to raucous applause (twice before the movie, and once after the credits), looked amazing on the IMAX screen, as did Transformers itself.

But this leads me to my main problem with IMAX: namely, that depending on at which particular IMAX theater you see a movie, you either get an amazingly immersive, eye-popping experience, or something that looks dreadfully bad - much worse than 35mm or 2K sourced footage projected with a standard 2K projector.

Some background on the different types of IMAX theaters and the various types of films that are capable of being shown in these venues:

1. The highest quality IMAX experience is that of footage shot on IMAX cameras using IMAX film (69.6 mm by 48.5 mm) being run through a special IMAX projector onto the large, tall IMAX screen.  For example, The Dark Knight has multiple scenes shot and projected in what I like to call "true IMAX,", as will Revenge of the Fallen.  As for "true IMAX 3D", some IMAX 3D documentaries are filmed and projected this way, but as of yet no major hollywood film has been completely shot and projected in true 70mm IMAX 3D.

2. The second highest quality IMAX experience is that of footage - either 35mm or digital 2k/1080p - being "blown up" using a proprietary process that IMAX refers to as DMR (Digital Remastering), which employs digital methods to reduce film grain/pixelization, and then prints the result onto IMAX film stock.  This was the way I saw Transformers tonight.  Watching a 2k/1080p or 35mm film "blown up" to IMAX stock in this way is definitely more impressive than watching it in a regular 35mm or digital projection theater, but it is still quite a bit below the level of detail and clarity of watching something like those specially shot scenes from The Dark Knight, the super high resolution of which (along with my close proximity to the giant screen) made me believe I was looking through a crystal clear window into another world.

3. Here is what you absolutely have to avoid: IMAX digital.  This process is simply two stacked 2k projectors.  I saw Watchmen in an IMAX digital theater, and the image quality was dreadful: incredibly pixelated and with a ton of digital artifacts.  The main reason for this low quality? The fact that IMAX digital is essentially a 1080p image digitally projected onto a huge screen which you will be sitting relatively close to.  Try sitting less than one image height away from your 1080p TV, and you will see the pixels.  IMAX digital looks even worse than that.

Moral of the story?  Although I understand IMAX's financial motivations for getting their brand into as many theaters as possible, IMAX needs to go back to offering the highest possible quality of viewing if they wish to retain their reputation as a premium experience.  I am disappointed that they are lowering their standards in this manner.  "True" IMAX theaters are an incredible experience whether showing a film shot on IMAX stock, or even a DMR blowup printed onto IMAX film.  And, of course, IMAX 3D is the best 3D you can get - as long as it is projected from real IMAX film stock.

But I urge you to stay away from IMAX digital until IMAX at the very least acquires 4k projectors for these theaters.  Seeing giant, blocky pixels isn't pleasant.  Give your IMAX theater a call before deciding on which IMAX screen to see your next movie.

Confirmation: "Transformers 2" Will NOT Be In 3D

Hi all - Jim here. I have some bad news for stereoscopic 3D fans who were looking forward to seeing TRANSFORMERS 2 in 3D: It's not going to happen.

If you will remember back in May we discovered that TRANSFORMERS 2 is heavily rumored to be shot in 3D as Dolby listed the movie in their ShoWest 2008 newsletter (originally found here) along side these other previously confirmed 3D flicks in their project hopper:

2008
Bolt
The Dark Country
Horrorween
Igor
Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D
The Smurfs

2009
Avatar
A Christmas Carol
Coraline
Frankenweenie
Ice Age 3
Monsters vs. Aliens
Tintin
Transformers 2

(To my knowledge, IGOR and THE SMURFS are NOT in stereoscopic 3D. If anyone has evidence to the contrary - please contact me).

Turns out that this in-the-know source (Dolby) may have been accurate back then, but since then Michael Bay has decided not to pursue it for the second iteration.

I have an inside source that contacted me and relayed that TRANSFORMERS 2 will definitely not be available in stereoscopic 3D and that this information was provided by both Digital Domain (effects company that Bay partly owns) and Michael Bay himself. This person is in a position to know this information first hand. It is accurate.

MarketSaw's list of upcoming 3D movies - rumored, planned, in production and in theaters - has been updated.

*Sigh* Next time I hope! We were conjecturing in various post comments that someone would have noticed the distinctly different camera set up that 3D demands over a normal configuration - that definitely would have leaked out given the lacklustre security around Trans2. Transformers 3D - kinda flows off the tongue don't you think?

Is Dolby Confirming My Scoop? Transformers 2 To Be 3D !!

**UPDATE (May 15): The 3D movie Horrorween is also mentioned in the Dolby flyer - don't forget to enter in MarketSaw's 3D contest for a shot at winning a speaking role in this movie!

Hello there Dolby. Whats this about "Transformers 2" being made in 3D? We should know here at MarketSaw right readers? :-) I posted that "Transformers 2" was rumored to be made in 3D eons ago (and Michael Bay has since refused to answer my forum posts :-) and now comes a little tidbit from an organization that should know the truth - Dolby, one of the competing 3D theater formats in existence today (Real D and IMAX being the other leaders).

Sure there are competing films for the summer time slot as 3D theaters are being rolled out, but of course Transformers 2 will also be released in 2D in 2009 - so don't worry about not being able to see it opening night. Besides, the original Transformers made a gazillion dollars in box office - I think the others will gracefully bow out if going head to head with it ala "Avatar" vs. "Monster vs. Aliens".

I just think it is AWESOME that someone has finally come out with some more concrete evidence to back up MarketSaws rumor - and it is a very credible source of course! I had this listed as a rumor since the summer of 2007 (on my upcoming 3D movie list) after speaking to a source of mine. And in October of last year I heard it from one of my sources again as well as Mark Christiansen, EVP of Operations @ Paramount! I did a piece AGAIN on it in February - and even joked about it on April Fool's Day (don't click on the link inside that URL or prepare to be Rick Rolled again lol).

Keep relying on MarketSaw for your source of 3D related scoops and news!

TRANSFORMERS 2 in 3D?? Are you kidding me?? Thats gonna kick some serious butt. Period.

Transformers 2 in 3D!

Yes, you heard it here first! In our exclusive interview with Michael Bay, check out what he had to say about having to dance around questions during the past few months just to get this done!

New 3D Movies In The Pipes

Catch up with the most recent announced 3D movie projects:

1. "Coraline" (Focus Features / Laika Entertainment)
Second half of 2008 Release
Stop-motion 3D Animation
Voices: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Ian McShane
Neil Gaiman’s children’s novella adaption. A secret door is uncovered by a young girl leading her to a fantasical world with a "better" outcome for her own life (kind of like who Marty McFly's life is better when he changes history in "Back To The Future"). It will be a stop-motion animation feature in 3D. Apparently the movie is being shot with still, super high resolution 3D cameras (4K). I wonder if they considered using the new Red One 3D system to achieve 4K? But seeing as though it is stop motion to begin with, still cameras are fine and cheaper (even though Red is damn affordable).

2. A Christmas Carol (Pixar / Disney)
Robert Remeckis, Jim Carrey
3D Performance Capture (Cameron / Pace Fusion Technology?)

--

3D Movie Rumors:
Transformers 2 (Paramount)
June 2009
Mark Christiansen, EVP of Operations @ Paramount hinted that it would be cool to see Transformers in 3D - AND the release date is set for June 2009 when some of the new 3D theaters may be opening up. I say may because Avatar is gonna have legs people!

Wall-E (Pixar)
Currently in high security production

For the *full* list of MarketSaw upcoming 3D movies click here.

The Ducks Are Lining Up: 2009 Movie Schedule

Interesting! June 26th, 2009 has been announced as the launch date of "Transformers 2" which of course brings it into James Cameron "Avatar" (3D) (Memorial Day) territory as well as "Justice League of America" (May 22, 2009). "Monsters vs. Aliens" (3D) should have petered out by then as they have adjusted their release to Easter in respect to Cameron's epic. Let me tell you, the summer of 2009 is stretching at the seams with quality releases. Count Steven Spielberg's "Interstellar" in that mix as well. Oh yeah, and a little movie called "Gears Of War" could chainsaw its way through the competition :-)

UPDATE (Sep 29th 2007): Confirmation is in that Shia Labeouf will return in Transformers 2 as well as director Michael Bay taking the helm. There is a growing possibility of that June 26th date being changed - could it be that another movie is being "Avatared"?