TRON 3 Stepping Up To Shoot This Fall In Vancouver !

Vancouver's VanCity Buzz (reliable news source) is saying that the sequel to Disney's 2010 TRON: LEGACY will begin lensing in the city October 5.

From VanCity: A majority of Tron: Legacy was shot at Canadian Motion Picture Park in Burnaby while some ‘real world’ scenes were filmed at the Shangri-La Vancouver Hotel (ENCOM headquarters), the Lions Gate Bridge (final escape scene) and neighbourhoods in East Vancouver.

It appears that lead Garrett Hedlund and director Joseph Kosinski WILL return according to rumors.

I've lived in Vancouver and LOVE it. I'll update you on locations for TRON 3 as soon as I have them. No word on whether TRON 3 will continue in the fine tradition of TRON: LEGACY's native 3D, which in my mind absolutely demands it.




Source: VanCity

Ang Lee To Tackle BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK In Native 3D 4K HFR!

(Photo) Jim Dorey. 2013.

When Ang Lee tackles a project he gives it his all and in this case the project is Ben Fountain's novel BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK and he is going to shoot it in native 3D 4K and ultra high frame rate.

When I spoke to Ang awhile back he told me that he's excited to work with 3D and having it available to him for projects - and now that we know what his next 3D project will be, my eyes lit up. 

As Lee did with LIFE OF PI, he will be leaping over new technological and creative barriers. To help him do so he's hired one of the best in Demetri Portelli (HUGO, 47 RONIN, THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET) and his team to handle the stereoscopic 3D. They'll be using Sony F65 cameras and the word is Lee's vision is breathtaking. As if you are really there. Think the D-Day scenes in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN but add in perfect immersive 3D shot in 4K and ultra high frame rate. Of course I'm sure Lee has many more surprises for us! Can't wait for this. 

Here's the storyline courtesy of Variety:
Bravo Company and 19-year-old private Billy Lynn survive a harrowing Iraq battle that is captured by news cameras. They are brought home by the U.S. administration for a promotional tour, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of a Thanksgiving Day football game, all while facing an imminent return to the war. Almost the entire movie takes place during the day of the game, with flashes back to the underlying events and Billy’s heroism. 

This is a filmmaker driven project that is original and you simply know that care will be taken to present it in new and spectacular ways. More info when we get it! 

Source: Variety

Why Did My Source Think THE HOBBIT Was Greenlit? And A Brief RISE OF THE APES Update!!

In light of Guillermo del Toro stepping down from directing THE HOBBIT (which was a complete surprise to everyone), I thought I should address the reasons why I posted the movie was greenlit back on Thursday.

The bottom line is this: My source (one of the best I have ever had) told me flat out that the movie was greenlit. And now I know why. Simply said, EVERY DEPARTMENT WAS GIVEN THEIR BUDGET AND THE CASH TO RAMP UP.

In my books, that IS a greenlight whether it is from a studio head or production company. This particular source is on the inside - not an executive at the top either. When budgets are set and operating cash is distributed that means a greenlight for pre-production.

So now you know where we stand on this. There was clear and deliberate action to ramp up the movie and it did in fact happen. The status as of today is murky with no director and I am still digging for the inside story. The resignation came out of the blue. What I want to know is what will Weta be doing on the project in the short term now that GDT is gone? Obviously this whole thing is Peter Jackson's baby so there will always be leadership present, but what is going on right now?

Weta is in a bit of a pickle too as production for the PLANET OF THE APES prequel is set to pick up soon. In fact they are already creating some CG models and the pipeline for the rigging and such for them. The CG models are looking VERY COOL according to my source.

Movie is set for a June 24, 2011 release.

With James Franco already cast, I have very high hopes for the movie. I have a feeling RISE OF THE APES is going to forever change the franchise. More when I get it!!

EXCLUSIVE! THE HOBBIT Is Greenlit!!! Full Pre-production Underway And You Can Expect A S3D Experience!!!

**UPDATE - May 28: I have now heard from another top source embedded in New Zealand - 3D is definitely going to happen as all the animatics are being geared that way. If you want to believe what the official company line is - go ahead. This info is straight from my top sources. This source is less gung-ho about the green light announcement happening soon however. I will stay where I am though and that is touting that THE HOBBIT is greenlit and it is full steam ahead for November.

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Strike a nerve have we? This post seems to have upset a "Hobbit focused" website a tad! They checked with their own sources and came up with a resounding "no" for the greenlight and even for the 3D, yet again. Sorry guys - no dice. My intel comes straight from the source that gave me the world's first glimpse of a Na'vi. So you can indeed take it to the bank. Do I sound confident? Good. I suspect official word will be coming down the pipe sometime soon.

YES! Finally. One of my top sources has confirmed with me that THE HOBBIT has now been greenlit!!

Full pre-production is now underway!!

There is still no official word that THE HOBBIT will be in stereoscopic 3D, but my source reiterates: "the usual 3D technical suspects have been rounded up... so I would bank on it."

I find it quite interesting that when other sites (*ahem* Deadline) mention the fact that the commence shoot date is slated for November, they think they are the ones breaking the news. You all know I broke that exclusive story back in March (with photos of the new sound stages). Sometimes you just want to reach out and... Well you know :-)

And don't even get me started on these sites talking THE HOBBIT in 3D as being a new concept!

So everyone - a collective sigh of relief: THE HOBBIT is definitely moving forward and November is the goal to roll cameras. Rest assured it will be in 3D just like I have been saying for years. I love it when a plan comes together!!