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WB is Forcing a 3D Conversion of Guillermo del Toro's 'Pacific Rim'

by Ethan Anderton
September 12, 2012
Source: Variety

Earlier this summer, Guillermo del Toro talked about why he didn't want to make his sci-fi action flick Pacific Rim in 3D. The director firmly told Collider, "I didn’t want to make the movie 3D because when you have things that big… the thing that happens naturally, you’re looking at two buildings lets say at 300 feet [away], if you move there is no parallax. They’re so big that, in 3D, you barely notice anything no matter how fast you move. To force the 3D effects for robots and monsters that are supposed to be big you are making their [perspective] miniaturized, making them human scale" Apparently that wasn't enough to close the money hungry eyes of Warner Bros. who are forcing a 3D conversion of the film next summer.

Variety says it was likely the overseas box office numbers that come with a 3D surcharge driving the decision, and that's just awful. I know it's show business, but if the filmmaker doesn't want the film in 3D, then it shouldn't be forced. Collider makes the point that China is a huge market for American films, and currently the country will only allow American films to screen if they are in 3D or IMAX. Still this movie is just sad, and you can bet I'll be doing everything in my power to make sure I see this in 2D, the way Guillermo del Toro intended. I'll be interested to see if he makes a statement about this decision or gets asked about this drastic change sometime down the road. Thoughts?

Filed under 3D, Movie News, SciFi

From around the web:

Nick

Fuck 3D, they can have it over there. I'll see it the way my eyes and brain were meant to see it.
- Wafffles
  
  Pretty sure 3D movies work BECAUSE your brain and two eyes are designed to assemble two 2-dimensional images into a 3-dimensional interpretation. Just saying...
OfficialJab

Hopefully we're just in an awkward period where 3D isn't fully adopted yet, and in a year or two, they'll just shoot it that way or not. I usually really like 3D, but conversion are an obvious moneygrab, and rarely convincing.
LosZombies

Sorry WB, Im going 2D on this one. If it aint filmed IN 3D, then I aint watching IN 3D.
- Isildur_of_Numenor
  
  Totally agree. Text book example why this movie shouldn't be converted: Clash of the Titans.
  - http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves
    
    Conversions CAN be done good...but that's not even the point. Guillermo Del Toro wants the movie in 2D and has reasoning behind it, WB is forcing it to go 3D just for the money...that's not exactly fair.
    - LosZombies
      
      I kinda doubt conversions can be done well at all. Clash and Alice In Wonderland were just AWFUL as conversions, so I pretty much learned my lesson there. Avatar, which was filmed using those newfangled 3D cameras was suited for it because it was MEANT to be a 3D film from the start, as will The Hobbit, which I will gladly give my hard earned money to watch at 48fps AND in 3D haha ;D
      - http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves
        
        The conversion of The Avengers seemed fine to me. To be honest, I'd have to watch a few 3D films back to back to back in order to really notice any major differences between native and converted 3D. I certainly didn't notice anything major seeing The Avengers and Prometheus weeks apart. Plus, conversion techniques will only get better. Clash was rushed and done in like 6 weeks...that wont be the case here.
      - http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves
        
        The 3D in Thor also seemed just fine to me. Like I said, if it was particularly worse than native 3D, it certainly didn't seem to stand out.
    - David Banner
      
      Could you name 1 conversion that was good? Maybe you can, but if the 2D version is excellent and the 3D is "good", what is the point? More ca$h, only reason to convert to 3D.
      - http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves
        
        The point is that it's going against the wishes of the director. When you hire the director, you are paying for THEIR vision of the property. Tacking on 3D however the studio sees fit only destroys the image of it being an artistic choice from the filmmakers. Sure, it will make more money, but the 3D version will be a compromise, however small, of Del Toro's vision. It's a betrayal of the director.
  - LosZombies
    
    So much disappoint... >.<"
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Sleider/1847907840 Brian Sleider
  
  I too will see it in 2d but that isn't saying much as I pretty much flat out refuse to watch anything in 3d.
- http://www.facebook.com/TheChosenPessimist Jon Odishaw
  
  Why did you capitalize IN? I sound like a retarded monkey trying to say it your way.
  - LosZombies
    
    I was putting emphasis on the "IN" part there. :p
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Sleider/1847907840 Brian Sleider

YAY for money grab studios forcing directors to abandon their vision.
Zanpher

Have to love greed. I'm still waiting for real 3D to come out, not this fake crap.
- Akirakorn
  
  Jim Carrey invented it. It transmits the 3D image via brainwaves. It would have been out since 1995 but you know... too many questions, too many questions...
  - Maverick Pete
    
    lol i want my brain on the box
- tik
  
  Real 3D Has been out a long time.Since The Big Bang.
WiseBoy

Warner Bros: Douche's Since Forever. They can't even control DC Comics films properly(Flash? Wonder Woman?), they passed on Dark Tower in favor of other worthless craps, and now forcing one of the greatest directors of all time a 3D conversion because they want more money out their ass.
- tik
  
  Don't you mean in their ass?
  - WiseBoy
    
    In? Your kidding me these guys strut around with a tube in their mouth waiting to suck up some of the most dirtiest diabolical things in this world you can't imagine. Then it gets shitted out their ass and cycle repeats my friend. It's the system of greed and goes around everywhere like a disease.
    - warewolf
      
      Not exaggerating AT ALL.Nope.
http://www.facebook.com/matthew.schmieding Bubba Matt Schmieding

The problem this raises then is that all IMAX screenings will be in 3D now - i want to experience this on the biggest, 3 story screen possible and now have no choice. give us the choice WB!!! have the 3d in normal digital screens only but leave the IMAX in 2D for ONCE!!!
- John
  
  Yes, this is the biggest problem with 3D... all IMAX shows become IMAX 3D. There's no option for those that want the IMAX experience without the 3D. That's why I was so happy that WB didn't force Nolan into a conversion on TDKR. But it looks like Batman was the exception not the rule at WB...
  - http://www.facebook.com/matthew.schmieding Bubba Matt Schmieding
    
    For now - moving forward i think the biggest problem is going to be the conversion to 48fps since a lot of the giant IMAX screens, or at least ours here in Denver, just recently went digital from film so they most likely won't be upgrading again anytime soon. So for pureists like us on here who demand a 48fps 3D first screening we might be forced to sit in a normal sized digital screen when the 24fps 3D IMAX is playing on the giant screen right next door. ugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM Carpola

People don't have to go see it in 3D. Who cares. If people really voted with their feet then this wouldn't happen, but unfortunately the general public are not bothered.
mmmmmmmm

What in the actual fuck? Well, looks like my friends & I shall be seeing it in 2D. And I got a youtube channel to alert a few thousand people of such bullshit. Wow WB.
http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves

Jeesh, it's one thing to film in 2D with the intent of a 3D conversion. But it's another thing to film in 2D, plan for it to be released in 2D, and then get 3D completely forced on it. Guillermo Del Toro had solid reasoning behind his choice against 3D.
David Banner

"....currently the country will only allow American films to screen if they are in 3D or IMAX." W00t??? When, where did you read this?
axalon

As much as I hate 3D conversation, it kind of makes sense from WB's perspective. Pacific Rim is a really expensive movie, with no big stars involved. They want to make as much money as possible so they don't end up with a John Carter.
Xerxexx

Regardless I will only see it in 2-D.
tik

Guillermo has just such bad luck. First they kill his Lovecraft movie,now this.
RWDY

does this mean that the release will be pushed back?
Justin

Personally I think 3D is overrated and not very enjoyable. I can understand why some people enjoy it and I'm not knocking those people, it's just not my thing. However, the final say of whether a film should be 3D or not is the director. I realize that the studios are the ones who finance these things, but ultimately it's the director's vision, not their's. The fact that they are forcing this is bullshit.
mooreworthy

2D 4 me
rock

When will all these 3d shit end, why can't they do imax instead.
- Richie G
  
  They're not mutually exclusive, but yeah just imax
Dominic A

It easy , Dont Go ! as is said further down , vote with your feet . I saw Thor in 3d just to try it out - it really didn't help . Asgaard shots were incredible , but were prob just as good in 2D . let the Chinese waste their money , buy the DVD . you can wait ...
DAVIDPD

Upon hearing that PACIFIC RIM will be (forcibly) post converted to 3-D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKss2uYpih8
angel figueroa

looks like i have to play devils advocate again, pacific rim is going to be amazing and good action blockbuster deltoro movies are expensive!! mr deltoro is right to be disappointed in conversion cause its his name up their and he doesn't want the viewer to be disappointed but the studio has to cover their end and max profits or else we all lose, so if you don't like it don't watch it but support any decision that subsidizes your geek wet dreams dreams!
- http://www.facebook.com/avi.smulders Avi Smulders
  
  Spot on!
http://www.facebook.com/avi.smulders Avi Smulders

2D it will be!
Ehsan Davodi

IMAX >> 3D
bozo connors

In communist China... movie watches YOU!!
David Banner

Could del Toro "Alan Smithee" only the 3D version?
Payne by name

3D is nothing but a flashy exercise that adds nothing to a film. Bravo to Guillermo for trying to rail against it.
http://www.skonmovies.com/ Sean Kelly

Terrible decision. I'll refuse to see the film in 3D (unless I have no choice).
germss

WB, proving once again that 3D is only about the money.