J.J. Abrams discusses the reasoning behind converting Star Trek 2 into 3D and the recent casting choices for the sequel. According to Collider.com, while speaking about the new Fox series, Alcatraz, at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, the film director took time to address fears that 3D conversion will dilute Star Trek 2’s quality.
“We’re shooting on film, and the reason for that is I wanted to shoot with anamorphic, and you can’t shoot 3D in anamorphic.”
Abrams’ went on to explained how his divisive signature “lens flare” filming style would work in 3D and how the film was selected for 3D conversion in the first place:
I’ve had some people make fun of me about that. Yeah, we’ve done some tests. Not only lens flare tests, but we’ve done 3D tests. We actually converted a bunch of the original movie, which looked really good. That was the thing that made me feel like, maybe that would be okay. But, I didn’t want to shoot the movie digitally…It will be converted, for those who want to see it in 3D. But, I wanted to match the look of the first one and shoot it anamorphically…
I did not fight for the 3D. It was something that the studio wanted to do, and I didn’t want to do it. And then, when I saw the first movie converted in sections, I thought that it actually looked really cool. So, I was okay with their doing it, as long as I could shoot the movie the way I wanted to, in anamorphic film, and then let them convert it. So, those who want to see it in 3D, which looked pretty cool, can do it, and those that want to see it in 2D can do that too.
Touching on the recent casting news being reported about Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), being casted in the the villain role of Khan.
“he’s just got incredible skills. He’s an amazing stage actor. He did amazing work (on stage) in Frankenstein. He’s brilliant. You try to cast people who are great. We got lucky,” stated Abrams.
So do you feel better about Star Trek 2’s 3D conversion after hearing J.J. Abrams’ explanation? How about Cumberbatch’s alleged role as Khan? Star Trek 2 will be in theaters on May 17, 2013.
