With “Avatar” hitting DVD & Blu-Ray at the end of last week, the film’s producer Jon Landau has been doing the press rounds (because obviously this underseen gem needs all the help it can get in the overcrowded home video market…), and he’s been discussing a project that he’ll be producing with James Cameron; a 3-D remake of the 1960s sci-fi movie “Fantastic Voyage.”
When the project was announced, Paul Greengrass was said to be in talks, and it seems that those talks are continuing — Landau told reporters Thursday that “We had a very good conversation with Paul yesterday. We’re still progressing along that… When you hire a director on amovie, it’s like a marriage. I think Paul and we want to date a little bit before we put on the ring.” Presumably, this marriage would eventually be consummated by Landau and Greengrass by tying their ponytails together in a forest of sacred trees?
Most importantly, it seems that, should Greengrass sign on, he’ll be bringing his trademark style to the sci-fi genre, at least in part. Landau told Sci Fi Wire “I think for certain scenes [he will use handheld cameras]. What Paul likes about the movie is that it gives him an opportunity to do something that he hasn’t really done that much of, designing this world and playing to that. You take “Titanic” and say “Does it give Jim Cameron an opportunity to bring his action sensibility to a period drama?” And it did. So I think Paul bringing that style and adapting it, Paul’s a smart, smart guy. He’ll do a great job on that movie.”
We’ve got decidedly mixed feelings on this — the idea of Greengrass bringing his meticulously researched, documentary-style realism to a sci-fi concept like this is certainly appealing, and would seem to be the right way to approach the project. However, the problem is that his style — handheld cameras, fast cutting — won’t work in 3D; the brain needs slightly longer to adjust to the images. We’re sure that both Greengrass and Cameron are aware of this though, and will figure out some way to blend Greengrass’ style into a carefully crafted 3D world. Though you might want to bring a sick bag with you.