Will 3D Eliminate the Need for New Films?

By Chris Kavan - 05/28/10 at 11:19 AM CT

So I just learned that one of my favorite cult films, Battle Royale, is being re-released in 3D. If you don't know about this film, it revolves around a middle school class in dystopian future Japan who get chosen for the "Battle Royale" program. Essentially they're dropped off in a remote location (an island in this case) and are forced to kill each other until only one remains (the "winner"). Best known for starring a pre-Kill Bill Chiaki Kuriyama and Takeshi Kitano in a decidedly non-comedic role. That and a bunch of kids Kill each other.

This film was also released back in 2000 (in Japan, the film never had an American distribution, though many tried). So if a cult classic is getting a 3D conversion, what's next? I love Star Wars, and George Lucas loves money. I would actually be surprised if Star Wars DIDN'T get a 3D conversion at some time. If there wasn't so much squabbling, I would bet The Lord of the Ringscould also be a contender for re-release.

This of course leads to the big questions - can studios simply convert films to 3D and keep people content? I know I haven't been impressed with what I term "fake" 3D - those that are simply converted over. Unless technology improves, I don't see the point - films lose too much detail in the process, along with color. It's definitely not an improvement. But I wouldn't be surprised if studios are already calculating which of their past films would be most likely to succeed in 3D.

If we ever get to the point in which their are more films being re-released in 3D than new films being released, I might have to hang up my film critic hat and retire. It seems ludicrous, but if this is more than a passing fad, I think it could truly happen, but I'm saying a little prayer to hope it never does.