Since originally premiering in 2009, the world has been waiting on a sequel to Avatar probably more for the filming innovations that could come with it than the story itself, and those fans will be pleased to hear that the franchise could be planning to make a slightly newer emerging technology more mainstream come Avatar 2.
It is reported by filmmaker/inventor Douglas Trumbull that his new system of ‘4K 3D at 120 frames per second’ is in discussion stages with Avatar producers, (more specifically, producer Jon Landau, according to The Hollywood Reporter).
It is believed that Avatar‘s creator James Cameron was a fan of Trumbull’s prototype ‘large-format high-frame rate projection system’ (known as ‘Showscan’), and Trumball has taken a more refined version into action with short film UFOTOG, showcasing the abilities of the process now known as MAGI.
Trumball stated of the current situation, which includes a request to demonstrate UFOTOG to Avatar staff: “I know that Cameron admired Showscan and that he is a huge advocate of high frame rates (HFRs). The use of HFRs for Avatar would be very appropriate and very successful. I don’t know if Cameron is interested [in using MAGI for the Avatar sequels]. He’s in seclusion writing the screenplay for Avatar. I am talking to Jon Landau, and we plan to have a screening [of UFOTOG] soon.”
Speaking at the IBC Convention in Amsterdam (Netherlands), he added of MAGI that it is also being pitched to other well-known directors, and stated of its benefits: “It delivers extreme fluidity of motion and amazing clarity with no strobing, no double flickering and a viewing experience that far exceeds conventional movie quality.”
The upcoming remainder of the Avatar quadrilogy, meanwhile, is to be filmed starting 2015 with returning stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, with airdates in the Christmas periods of 2016, 2017, and 2018 for the blockbuster parts 2, 3, and 4. It is a guarantee that they will be in 3D given the first film, but will the format be adding ‘4K’ and ‘120fps’ to its description by that point as well?