Transformers 3, Harry Potter 7, and More in 3D

Published by Jeff Leins on: February 3rd, 2010

Warner Bros has confirmed what we already knew: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and 2 will be released in 3D and Clash of the Titans is scooting back a week to April 2 to accommodate its own 3D conversion.  All three films were shot in traditional 2D.

The studio has been testing the pop-up process in an underground lair somewhere, and seems pleased with the results.  Which is why today’s press release reveals they’re toying with The Polar Express, select scenes from Superman Returns, and probably more from their extensive library.  Upcoming conversions include suggestively titled family film Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (July) and Zach Snyder’s owl movie Guardians of Ga’Hoole (September).

They really are just going down the list of gimmicks at this point, aren’t they? “Talking animals… check. Celebrity voice overs… check. 3D… check!” Now if only they can find enough 3D theaters to cram these into.

Which brings us to Paramount.  Not to be left out of the hot new Hollywood trend, the studio is discussing stereoscopic 3D with Michael Bay and ILM for Transformers 3, according to Variety.  At this time it’s unclear whether they want to shoot using the same Avatar cameras — which is expensive and time-consuming — or convert everything in post-production.  Will another dimension make this sequel suck less?  I doubt it.

Bay has been vocal about the technique, calling it a gimmick at ShoWest last year.  (Though he did see Cameron’s film and told reporters, “[It] puts you in another world, and that’s the highest praise.”)

It has only been a month and a half since Avatar began wowing audiences and executives with its extra dimension and I’m already sick of 3D.  Not because I myself wasn’t blown away by what Cameron accomplished visually with stereoscopic technology, but I’m fearing the dreaded “Our big blockbuster will be in 3D!” announcements for the next few years, accompanying the already predictable IMAX press releases touting the latest deal in higher ticket prices.

It’s one thing if the movie was shot with the intention of 3D, but this conversion nonsense may send mixed messages to consumers looking for Avatar visuals and getting cardboard cut-out effects instead. Until the technology improves across the board (projection, conversion, televisions, and Blu-ray), the excitement over 3D seems premature.

I know I’ve ranted about 3D before, but here’s how bad it has gotten: the new “We Are the World” Haiti relief fundraiser was shot in 3D by Paul Haggis.