Avatar: The Way of Water producer Jon Landau revealed that the film's creators are not interested in the development of a glasses-free 3D technology.
In an interview with CinePop, Landau abruptly debunked a notion long-held by fans, namely that the Avatar sequel would introduce a new approach to 3D that wouldn't require audiences to wear glasses, stating, "We are not working on it." The producer immediately explained the logic of the decision. "When you go to the beach, glasses are part of the experience," he said. "If I'm putting on these glasses to go to a movie, it transforms my experience. I'm going to have a better experience at the theater because of it."
Avatar 2's Glasses-Free 3D Promise
Back in 2016, director James Cameron teased how he was toying with the idea of glasses-free 3D technology for his then-untitled Avatar sequel. Indeed, he once said he was going to "push" to get to a place where the experience is possible. He also added that he believes 3D projectors "need brighter projection" – something that seems to have been achieved with pure laser ahead of Cameron's newest 3D venture. Consequently, fans considered the idea of glasses-free 3D a given for the film, even to this day.
However, that is clearly no longer the case. Yet, when asked if he believes 3D is the future for film, Landau replied in the affirmative. "We see our lives in 3D," he said, noting that, because of this, it's "only natural" that entertainment make the transition into the three-dimensional space. When it hits theaters on Dec. 16, The Way of Water will be shown using cutting-edge 3D technology known as "pure laser," which produces brighter, sharper visuals. The experience will require 3D glasses.
With or without glasses, Cameron believes 3D has a bigger place in Hollywood than some people think. He uses history to back up his point, recalling that the original Avatar won the Academy Award for cinematography with a 3D camera. "No digital camera had ever won the best cinematography Oscar before," he noted. "Then two out of the three subsequent years, the same cameras were used by the cinematographers that won the Oscar."
Cameron and Landau aren't the only people who hope that audiences get excited about The Way of Water's 3D showings. Disney’s chief of global film distribution, Tony Chambers, stated, “At a time when people are used to being at home watching content, anything that encourages them to go to theaters has to be a positive for us and the industry in general." Whatever the reason, it seems that audiences are preparing to fill up theaters to see The Way of Water soon, as IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond reported that the film has "one of the highest pre-sale levels we've ever seen."
Avatar: The Way of Water hits theaters on Dec. 16.
Source: CinePop, YouTube