According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Brothers Pictures has abandoned its plans to release HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Part I in 3-D.
In a statement released today, October 8th, the Warners said that when the New Harry Potter film is released to theaters on November 19th, it will be in 2-D, and at IMAX venunes.
“We will not have a completed 3-D version of the film within our release date window. Despite everyone’s best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality. We do not want to disappoint fans who have long-anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey.”
DEATHLY HALLOWS directer David Yates is quoted as saying: “This decision, which we completely support, underscores the fact that Warner Bros. has always put quality first.”
Seeing as the studio’s CRASH OF THE TITANS post-production 3-D conversion was judged as of varying and questionable quality by many fans and critics, this is probably a wise move on Warner’s part.
My opinion: 3-D films should be shot in 3-D, at least until the conversion process is perfected — and even so, it will probably never equal true 3-D production in quality, assuing that technology also progresses.
I’ve always seen 3-D as a gimmick, and a personal cause of eye strain. Kind of fun, but you wind up paying for it, in more ways than one, considering the additional charges for 3-D admissions now commonplace.