James Cameron Blasts Overuse of 3D

Millions of people saw “Iron Man 3” or “Man of Steel” in 3D. But according to James Cameron, the higher ticket price wasn’t worth it.

In a candid conversation with fellow director Alfonso Cuarón at the TagDF technology forum in Mexico City last week, Cameron said he found the use of 3D in those films unnecessary, especially considering their already-hefty use of dazzling special effects. It’s part of a growing problem, he said, where Hollywood isn’t using 3D “properly” because it’s become an “automatic” part of the moviemaking process instead of one used with care and consideration.

“‘Man of Steel,’ ‘Iron Man 3,’ and all those movies should not necessarily be in 3D,” Cameron said. “If you spend $ 150 million on visual effects, the film is already going to be spectacular, perfect.”

Echoing sentiments expressed by “Clash of the Titans” director Louis Leterrier, who recently trashed that film’s hasty post-conversion into 3D, Cameron added that “[it’s] one thing [to shoot] in 3D and another to convert to 3D,” a ploy he said studios use “to make money,” and often after “pushing 3D to directors who are not comfortable or do not like 3D.”

Despite those harsh words, Cameron still plans on using the technology he helped pioneer, including on his upcoming sequels to “Avatar.” Here’s hoping the opinionated director can live up to his own lofty expectations.

[via Vulture]