March 24, 2010 - Having spoken out against the recent trend of 3D conversions of 2D films, what does
James Cameron have to say about converting his own film,
Titanic, into 3D for re-release in theaters? In an interview at an event to promote the April 22 release of
Avatar on DVD and Blu-ray, Cameron explained the distinction between taking the initiative as a filmmaker and having the studio dictate the conversion.
"We're converting Titanic, but we're doing it right," Cameron said. "What I'm not a fan of is a rushed or slapdash conversion that's not done right. And, I'm certainly not a fan of conversion when you could shoot the movie in 3D."
The problem, he said, is when the decision is made by the studio and not by the directors themselves.
"Right now, they're being made by studios because all the filmmakers hung back and said, 'Well, let's go see if Cameron hangs himself. Then we can forget about this 3D thing, and roll over and go back to sleep.' That didn't happen, so now they've gotta go, 'Oh, (expletive), maybe I have to think about doing a movie in 3D,' as opposed to what should have happened. They should have been pounding on the gates of the studios, saying, 'We want to make movies in 3D. It looks cool. It's a new art form. Let's go. Give us the money.' That didn't happen, so now they're paying the price, which is the studio telling them to make their movies in 3D and they're caught with their pants down."
Cameron went on to further excoriate his fellow filmmakers: "They're not standing up. It's like, 'Come on! Show some spine, guys.' The studios have the power. They're going, 'You're doing your movie in 3D. Guess what? You don't have a choice. You don't want to do it? That's fine. We'll get someone else.' That's not how it was supposed to be. But, if the filmmakers take control of this thing, like they should, and like they control any other aesthetic aspect of their movie, then you'll have the quality and people will spend the money."
Cameron also assured fans that he will personally oversee the
Titanic conversion in parallel with his next project (which he wouldn't reveal). The target release date is currently Spring 2012, to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the sailing of the Titanic, "a nice marketing hook."