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by Chris Newbould on Nov 7, 2010
James Cameron has warned against going overboard in the rush to convert 2D films to 3D. The multi-Oscar-winning director added that such ‘retrofitting’ should be saved only for classic films.
Cameron’s comments came during a speech at Beverly Hills’ Blu Con conference, in which he equated the practice of adding 3D after production to shoehorning.
The director added that it was a mistake to apply 3D post-production imaging to the most recent Harry Potter film, the Deathly Hallows: Part One, following on from Warner Bros announcement last month that it would convert the latest installment of the kids’ favourite to 3D before its scheduled November release date in the UK and US.
He said: “"My personal philosophy is that post conversion should be used for one thing and one thing only - which is to take library titles that are favourites that are proven, and convert them into 3D - whether it's Jaws or ET or Indiana Jones, Close Encounters... or Titanic.
“Unless you have a time machine to go back and shoot it in 3D, you have no other choice. The best alternative is if you want to release a movie in 3D - make it in 3D."
This came after the October announcement that the 3D sequels to Cameron’s Avatar will be released in 2014 and 2015. The original remains the highest-grossing film of all time, with $2.77 billion (£1.76 billion) accumulated from box offices worldwide.