Inside Pulse | Batman 3 Cinematographer Wants To Shoot It In IMAX

Batman 3 Cinematographer Wants To Shoot It In IMAX

by Travis Leamons on July 20, 2010

Over at MTV News there’s a piece with cinematographer Wally Pfister. Christopher Nolan’s director of photography since Memento, Pfister is getting kudos for his cinematography for Inception. He’s also discussing the capabilities of IMAX.

A very important story element in Inception involves trying to successfully implant an idea in another human being. When Christopher Nolan and Wally Pfister shot a portion of The Dark Knight in IMAX, the question arose on whether or not they would shoot Inception in the large-scale film format.

That idea has been lingering inside of Pfister, like an uncontrollable virus that keeps growing. The action scenes and the need for handheld cameras made it impossible to use the IMAX camera on set. But the third Batman is a different story. It is Pfister’s goal to shoot the entire movie in IMAX. However, this may change with how the story is laid out and logistics of the production. Even if IMAX is not possible, I love Pfister’s thinking. Just awesome. Considering the beautiful imagery in Inception can you imagine what Batman 3 would look like in large format? Forget 3D, give me the largest canvas possible.

“I must say I’m a huge IMAX fan. I like IMAX more than I like 3-D,” [Pfister] explained. “Chris’ films are so densely layered and have so much going on visually in every way that IMAX helps enhance that because of the scope and the scale of it — it becomes a much larger canvas to paint on. That’s what we found on ‘Dark Knight.’

“I’m not a big fan of 3-D,” he continued. “I liken it to my View-Master I had 40 years ago. Are you really getting more out of the story with 3-D? When you separate those different planes and you’re creating artificial depth, it looks phony to me.”

The Pulse: Nolan is on record saying that he’s not a fan of 3-D; but it will ultimately be Warner Bros’ decision on what the format will be. If the cost to shoot in IMAX is too exorbitant, or if it turns out to be an ADR headache in post-production (since IMAX cameras are so loud), then it may have to be 3-D after all. However, if the entire film is shot in large-scale format, the studio will have bragging rights at having the first feature film to be shot entirely in IMAX. (Note, Nolan’s second Batman film, The Dark Knight, was the first time a major feature film was partially shot using IMAX cameras.)

You can also be sure that Nolan and his DP will have a long discussion like they did prior to shooting the Leonardo DiCapario headlining sci-fi drama, which exceeded box office estimates and earned $62.8 million last weekend.

Anybody else excited about this? Sure, it may be a pipe dream, but the filmic trinity of Nolan’s direction, Pfister’s imagery and IMAX needs to happen!

Tags: batman 3, Christopher Nolan, Inception, The Dark Knight, Wally Pfister

Travis Leamons

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Travis Leamons is one of the Inside Pulse Originals and currently holds the position of Managing Editor at Inside Pulse Movies. He's told that the position is his until he's dead or if "The Boss" can find somebody better. I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!

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Jenny Rushing

Pfister talked about his opinions of 3-D at the Dallas International Film Festival. He’s a really great guy, I loved what he had to say about the fad. He said that movies are about stories, not about things popping out at you. He said that takes away from what movies are all about. LOVE it! That being said, Batman 3 in IMAX is a great idea.
Mike

Nolan talked smack about 3-D at Wondercon this year too. The audience loved it! Hopefully he’ll be able to stand his moral ground and prevent any of his films from being in 3-D.

That said, I kind of see shooting the film in IMAX as a similar, but not nearly as annoying, gimick. Like 3-D it’ll make for fun theatrical viewing, but will add nothing to the home experience. Except of course for those people that do in fact have IMAX screens in their home.
http://www.wrestlinginsidepulse.comandonlineworldofwrestling.com Sebastian Howard

Just leave the movie alone, years later when this movie comes out not on 3d then everyone going to wonder why the f*ck is shit being thrown at the screen.
Brendan Campbell

I agree completely that 3D is getting out of hand. Most films aren’t even made for it, and it takes away from things when it’s just tagged on as an extra.

I’ll always prefer to see a film in a standard release over a 3D release if I have the choice. Outside of Avatar, which was built around 3D, most use it completely as a gimmick.

The talk of Marvel adding 3D to their films makes me want to cringe. If done properly, of course it won’t ruin the film, but at the same time I don’t think it adds anything to it. I don’t need to see a piece of webbing fly at my face to enjoy Spider-Man.

As for IMAX, I’ll have to disagree with you Mike, as I don’t see it as a gimmick at all. While it might not add anything to most home experience for most, the sheer amount of awesomeness that it adds to theatrical experiences is unparalleled. It’s not something that requires glasses, or lame shots of things being tossed at a screen, it’s just there to enhance the experience all around.

I’d love to see this film done in full IMAX, and really, at this point, being the hottest director out there, as well as The Dark Knight being one of the highest grossing films of all time, if Nolan and his crew want to do it in IMAX, I can’t see it not happening.
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http://www.robsaucedo.com Robert Saucedo

3D, IMAX … It’s all about gimmicks — and I have no problem with that. With rising ticket costs and rude fellow patrons, it’s tougher and tougher for me to justify going to the theater but 3D and IMAX are both experiences I can’t yet pull off in my home theater (trust me, I’m working on plans to install an IMAX screen in my apartment). If done with skill and care (which I’m sure Nolan will ensure) I’d see Batman in 3D, IMAX or even smell-o-vision.