When it was announced on the official website of Three-Body Problem that the shooting of Three-Body Problem 2 would try to use 3D mode, the media were shocked and immediately expressed their opinions.
"Levi is crazy. How can such an attempt be done so easily?"
If, before, the media felt more regretful than dissatisfied, when Levi mentioned that he was going to shoot a commercial film, they now feel that Levi must be so angry with Oscar that he wanted to do such a crazy thing.
How is it possible to try something like 3D movies so easily? Yes, some cartoons are now beginning to experiment with 3D mode, and IMAX technology has made this mode more feasible.
However, despite technological advancements, no one has experienced this experiment, and no one has tried it. Is there really no problem if I apply the same techniques to film shooting?
For 3D movies, it's not that no one has considered trying it. For example, James Cameron has always had this idea. However, the technological requirements for such a movie are incredibly high, and today's Hollywood lacks the experience to shoot such a film.
It is too risky to invest a substantial amount of money and a considerable amount of time in filming a movie with limited experience, uncertain whether the technology is mature.
Even James Cameron would not dare to attempt such an approach prematurely.
Although he has been exploring this area — for instance, producing the IMAX movie "Ghost of the Abyss" in 2003 — and continues to experiment with motion capture technology, expression capture technology, virtual camera technology, and CG animation technology in his film shooting, the production of 3D movies is still far away.
Until he proves that this kind of movie can indeed make money, it won't lose everything. Absolutely no one would be willing to invest in him.
Even with Cameron's high reputation and the maturing of technology, there are still too many risks involved. It's not like investing 10 to 20 million in shooting a literary film where, if you incur losses, they are still manageable. This is a truly substantial production.
The current scale of special effects in movies rarely falls below 100 million. When attempting a 3D version with the incorporation of IMAX technology for filming, costs skyrocket to a minimum of 300 million. And the movie promotion fee of 300 million is still 100 million. This is 400 million U.S. dollars - an investment of 400 million U.S. dollars.
Even if the box office reaches the level of Lord of the Rings, it would still be considered a loss. Unless it exceeds Titanic, it will be a loss. Given the substantial financial risks involved, this is undeniably a huge gamble.
Even those big companies who make such investments need to consider them again and again. Otherwise, why would Cameron go to such trouble to photograph those experimental subjects?
Yet now, Levi has chosen to take risks and try this!
Yes, many people in the media are familiar with Levi, and they know he has made some investments outside of Hollywood, contributing to a substantial income.
Even if he incurs losses, he can probably afford it.
However, every amount of income is hard-earned; is it really okay to throw it away like this? Moreover, if this goes wrong, Levi not only loses his money but also his hard-earned reputation.
The reputation of a great director, painstakingly built over time, might not be sufficient to salvage this film. This is not an ordinary movie. Such a failure is different from a movie that does not get good box office or good reviews. This is a movie that will bankrupt people. Once it fails, no one may trust it again from now on.
For a while, the media has been deliberating on the feasibility of this project. Examining aspects from market share to technology applications and considering investments in 3D equipment along with potential costs of 3D movies, the media is evaluating every angle to discern whether this movie has the potential for profitability.
But if you think about it carefully, it doesn't seem entirely implausible to say it's possible.
Although Levi has always paid more attention to the artistry of movies, his film company has always been very willing to spend money on special effects in movies.
X-Men and Resident Evil, two series of movies that can be called cash cows, have always been produced by Enigma Company.
These two movies have consistently demanded substantial investments in special effects, and Levi's special effects company has consistently delivered at a commendable level.
Moreover, Enigma Company has consistently collaborated with prop companies, special effects companies, and various stunt workers to meet the production demands of TV series and TV programs. Their company's potential in this area is quite robust.
When it comes to technology, Levi is no loser.
Moreover, the production cost of 300 million seems to be very high, but if you compare the cost of movies in recent years, it does not seem to be particularly outrageous.
For example, after Spider-Man 2 was released, actors generally asked for a salary increase. Some people have calculated that if Spider-Man 3 is put into production, the investment will exceed 250 million, making it a huge and expensive production.
If the 2D Spider-Man 3 can reach 250 million, then spending 300 million to shoot a 3D movie is not particularly strange.
After all, if this kind of investment continues to grow, even if 3D movies are not shot, one day, the cost of the movie will exceed 300 million.
However, even so, shooting 3D movies is still too risky.
Mainstream Hollywood directors have always been opposed to shooting 3D movies because once such a movie is poorly shot, it will be terrible. This attempt is not something to be taken lightly.
But does this unwise attempt have any possibility of success?
This is why the media is hesitant now. Reason tells them it is difficult for such a movie to succeed.
However, if a 3D movie is really successfully shot, what kind of scene will it be like? They also have this kind of expectation in their hearts.
Although the media has expectations, after all, they are worried that the movie will be a flop, their praise will become a joke, and their reputation will be damaged, so they dare not say anything more.
But the movie fans did not have this concern. After seeing this information, they were quite excited about it.
"It would be really great if the movie could really be shot in 3D. Cosmic war in a 3D environment! Thinking about such a scene will make people feel thrilling.
Moreover, considering Levi's notable expertise, as seen in Three-Body Problem 1, where the world was destroyed four times, just looking at it on a flat surface would make people thrilled.
How shocking would it be if such a scene were in 3D?"
The reactions of the audience were obviously different. As an audience, they don't think about the failure of the movie shooting; instead, they are looking forward to its success and the impact it will have after its release.
Moreover, almost all viewers also believe that adapting the movie Three-Body Problem into a 3D version is a good choice.
3D technology has developed rapidly in recent years.
Many science fiction fans have also watched 3D versions of movies in planetariums and other places. They know very well what kind of viewing experience it will give people in 3D mode.
3D movies can genuinely provide people with an immersive experience compared to ordinary movies that focus solely on visuals. Moreover, when considering the narrative and the scenes of the Three-Body Problem, it is evident that it is not an ordinary story.
The biggest feature of science fiction movies is that they contain all kinds of magnificent scenery and spectacular scenes. Such scenes can be immersed in them, which is definitely worth looking forward to.
Nowadays, 3D experiences extend beyond movies. Planetariums showcase cosmic models, and aquariums offer deep-sea photography, bringing the reality of Earth to life. These things are just the reality of the Earth, which is already exciting, let alone the magnificent world in science fiction.
What's more, the scale of the Three-Body Problem is also worth looking forward to.
The Three-Body Problem series is better compared to other science fiction works. Obviously, Levi has greater courage for this series.
Resident Evil, where a two-hour film may only feature a brief encounter with a Licker, the potential adaptation of the latter into 3D might not captivate the audience as much.
However, in the two hours of the Three-Body movie, the Three-Body world was destroyed three or four times. Different scenes and different special effects were used almost throughout.
This different scale of boldness determines that after the movie is adapted into 3D, it will also have a larger audience. Everyone believes Levi will make a satisfying movie if the three-body shooting becomes a 3D version.
Will he use 3D movie effects for cosmic warfare or for catastrophic events? People who have not read the novel The Three-Body Problem 2 don't know this, but from the situation at the end of the first part, people can speculate about the plot of the second part, and these assumptions will make people feel excited just thinking about it.
This movie, shot by Levi, will definitely satisfy people. This comes from people's trust in the great director and also from people's confidence in The Three-Body Problem.
Compared with the media, which rely on data to analyze prospects, their analysis is far less troublesome. For them, whether a movie is good-looking is the only criterion for judging whether it costs money.
At this moment, both movie fans and the media have turned their attention to Levi's company. They want to know what the Enigma Company will do next and how their movie will be shot.
In a sense, the promotion of Three-Body Problem 2 has been completed in one step. The movie hasn't officially started filming yet, but it has already attracted the attention of all Hollywood.
However, at this moment, compared to the excitement in the outside media, the situation within the Enigma Company is relatively calm. Although Levi has determined the direction of his shooting, he knows that no matter how long-term the vision is, the road must be walked step by step.
Therefore, in the company, he is still making his own plans for the film affairs in an orderly manner.
"Bob, I still have to leave it to you to adapt the script. This movie has a protagonist, but more importantly, it is a group portrait movie. All the characters should be highlighted and not be cold and stereotyped.
Michael, this movie requires a lot of scene design, a lot of costumes, props, and tool design. I will give you a list, and you will be responsible for finding the corresponding people and making these the best.
And Clark, you still have to discuss things with me about the actors and the shooting planning.
Guys, this is a 3D movie, but it is a movie first. Technically, we need to improve. In other aspects, we can't give up either. Let's work together and let people see how shocking we will be to them!"
*****
Thanks and kudos for my patreons
Marcelo Maia
Britanna
Mandy G
Scott DePaepe
Oluwatimileyin Olayemi
Herylle Ian Gloria
You can read advanced chapters on my Patreon account: https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.