What’s the opposite of an exclamation mark? According to a recent Press Release from Warner Bros., The Dark Knight Rises is being post-converted to 3D. Stereo D, the company James Cameron used to post-convert Titanic, is in charge of the stereoscopic conversion process. The good news for non-3D fans is that Nolan plans on keeping the IMAX showings 2D, and will only be adding RealD and Dolby 3D screenings as additional theaters.
BURBANK, CA— Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that “The Dark Knight Rises” will be released to RealD® and Dolby® 3D theatres simultaneously with the film’s wide release in conventional and IMAX® theatres on July 20, 2012. The epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is being post-converted by Burbank’s Stereo D LLC., the same company in charge of converting “Titanic” for James Cameron. “Chris Nolan’s groundbreaking vision makes his films ideally suited for the immersive capabilities that 3D has to offer,” said David Fueller, Warner Bros. Pictures’ president of domestic distribution.
The filmmaker shot large portions of the film with traditional 2D IMAX® cameras, and plans on keeping the IMAX® screenings true to that format. However, the Academy Award® nominated filmmaker is looking to expand upon the film’s much anticipated release. “As the number of 3D screens around the globe continues to grow, we’re thrilled to offer film’s like ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in richer experiences for the moviegoers,” said Victoria Gelfond-White, President, Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures International.
Christopher Nolan stated, “Our experience in working with the talented artists at Stereo D was awe inspiring. We did various brightness and depth tests, and when we saw how the tests were developing, we were very impressed!” Nolan and his cinematographer, Wally Pfister, have been secretly meeting with the stereoscopic effects company since November of last year. The conversion will cost approximently $10-20 million and will not delay the film’s release.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Chris Nolan, Emma Thomas and Warner Bros. Pictures to deliver one of the year’s biggest films in three dimensions,” added Lirpa Sloof, Chairman and President of Stereo D. “Chris has proven to be an immensely talented director. He has the vision and skills to make an immersive blockbuster film that is truly larger than life. We’re excited to be a key ingredient in what will surely be the biggest film this side of April Fools.”
So somehow in the last six months, Christopher Nolan and Oscar-winner Wally Pfister have been secretly starting the 3D conversion process. Perhaps they were pressured from the studio. We heard rumors about an Inception 3D release on and off for the past two years.
