James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic will be getting a re-release next April to mark the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the luxury liner on its maiden voyage. As Cameron has indicated in the past, the film will be converted to 3D for the re-release. See the complete press release below.
I have to admit that I actually find this a bit crass. Three-D conversion of older films for theatrical release is nothing but a money grab. These films were never meant to be seen in 3D when they were created, so I can see no artistic need for them to be converted to the process now. There are, of course, plenty of financial reasons for the conversion though. And its those financial reasons that leave this whole enterprise with a bad taste in my mouth. When Cameron made Titanic, he spent a copious amount of time insuring that the smallest details in the a movie were as accurate as possible. This helped bring home the human side of the tragedy in a way that fifteen-some years of my reading about that fateful night in the North Atlantic in 1912 never could. Rereleasing the film as a money grab on the 100th anniversary strikes me as a bit classless.
HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 19, 2011) – Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment jointly announced today that James Cameron’s “TITANIC” will be re-released worldwide on April 6, 2012.
The release, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic setting sail (April 10th), will present the film in 3D for the first time ever.
Written, directed and produced by Cameron, “TITANIC” is the second highest grossing movie of all time. It is one of only three films to have received a record 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director; and launched the careers of stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
Called “A spectacular demonstration of what modern technology can contribute to dramatic storytelling” by Variety upon its release in 1997, the long in the works 3D conversion is being overseen by Cameron and his Lightstorm producing partner Jon Landau who produced the hit movie.
Said Cameron, “There’s a whole generation that’s never seen ‘TITANIC’ as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen. And this will be ‘TITANIC’ as you’ve never seen it before, digitally re-mastered at 4K and painstakingly converted to 3D. With the emotional power intact and the images more powerful than ever, this will be an epic experience for fans and newcomers alike.”
“This new presentation of Paramount’s top-grossing film is particularly special because 2012 is the 100th anniversary of our studio. Paramount has had the pleasure of introducing audiences to some of the all-time classics of cinema during that century of moviemaking and we cannot think of a better way to mark the occasion than with this re-release of ‘TITANIC’,” said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
Commented Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairmen and CEOs, Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman: “Our 30-plus year relationship with Jim Cameron and Lightstorm has been enormously rewarding, from ‘Aliens’ to ‘Avatar’, and the global phenomenon of ‘TITANIC’ remains one of the greatest sources of pride in our history. We are pleased to allow a new generation of audiences to experience the film in its brilliant digital restoration in 3D.”
