We’ve known for quite some time that James Cameron; the man behind the two highest grossing films of all time (Avatar, and Titanic); was planning to give the world a chance to view his previous blockbuster in a new way; by producing a faithful, and realistic, 3D conversion of Titanic, to be re-released in cinemas across the globe, and that it would take several years to complete; but now a more specific release schedule has been laid out.
The Titanic re-issue has always been scheduled for release in 2012; a year which is shaping up to be an amazing one film-wise, and not only marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage, but the centennial of Paramount (the studio responsible for distributing the film within the U.S.); and whilst April the 15th would be the perfect time to re-release the movie (as that’s the same date the Titanic bumped into a rather large iceberg, and slipped into the depths of the Atlantic), it may be ready to hit theaters as early as Valentine’s Day Weekend.
And clearly there can be no better time to release the 3D update of the film; because not only is the 100th anniversary of the sinking a fairly big deal, but re-releasing the most successful romance film of all time (and a film that held the title of highest grossing movie of all time for twelve years) during Valentine’s Day Weekend (which is always a big money draw, and attracts couples in their droves, no matter what’s playing), means that it’s guaranteed to make a whole lot of money.
Producer Jon Landau has said that converting the film is “a time consuming process” and one that they want to “do right”; which is why it’s predicted to cost in the region of $10-15 million, when a conversion company is finally decided upon; because “converting is not a technical process, but a creative one”, and so far about nine companies have been used to generate test footage which is reported to be “impressive”; with “a group of those involved going to the head of the class.”
And like Cameron’s Avatar (which itself has already received a theatrical re-release, despite being less than a year old), Titanic is expected to eventually be receive a 3D Blu-ray release (obviously after the theatrical market has once again dried up, and the demand for 3D home movies has increased), but unfortunately for many fans, there hasn’t been any word on the Terminator 2: Judgement Day conversion, and re-issue for quite sometime.
