3D: THE BACKLASH

Possibly emboldened by the box-office success of the non-3D Inception, filmmakers are mobilizing in what amounts to a backlash against 3D. The New York Times surveyed several prominent directors at the recent ComiCon conventional in San Diego and found few 3D enthusiasts. Jon Favreau, the director of the upcoming Cowboys & Aliens, insisted that Westerns, like his, “should only be shot on film,” which does not lend itself to easy 3D digital conversion. “Use the money you save to see it twice,” he said. J.J. Abrams, whose Star Trek movie earned $395 last year without 3D, remarked, “When you put the glasses on, everything gets dim.” Joss Whedon said that he plans to boast when his The Cabin in the Woods is released that it is “the only horror movie coming out that is not in 3D.” Meanwhile, the Times observed, the Lord of the Rings fansite, TheOneRing.net has taken a poll to determine whether fans want to see the planned Hobbit prequels in 3D. Chris Pirrotta, who runs the site, told the newspaper that “out of 450 people surveyed, 450 don’t want 3D for The Hobbit.