Star Wars and Raiders to Be Re-Edited for James Cameron's New PandoraVision 3D!?

PandoraVision 3D

James Cameron makes George Lucas and Steven Spielberg re-edit their beloved classics to fit his PandoraVision 3D technology


Are you ready to have all of your television content, your entire DVD collection and anything else you watch at home in 3D?

If you have $4000 the above question can become a reality. With the overwhelming success of James Cameron's Avatar at both the domestic and global box office, it seems that every studio, TV network and cable company has 3D fever.

Until now, most of this talk has been building toward television's being able to play 3D content in the future, as well as studios either making more 3D films or transforming 2D movies into the newest technology.

Now it seems Cameron, Jeffrey Katzenberg, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have teamed up with Digital Starlight (a new start-up out of Palo Alto, CA) to create PandoraVision.

PandoraVision will come to users in the form of 3D glasses that essentially transform anything that a backend user watches into 3D. Now before you start asking... does it really transform anything into 3D here is what Cameron had to say during the official PandoraVision announcement.

"3D technology has finally been unleashed," Cameron said looking like the cat that ate the canary. "Yes Avatar has been an amazing success but that is nothing compared to what PandoraVision can do."


Lucas is rethinking many of his projects
Lucas is rethinking many of his projects
The glasses are lightweight, portable and work anywhere. They are equipped with state of the art technology that manages to enhance any image by mixing, remixing and then transforming traditional television RGB images via a process called "slotting."

"What slotting does," stated Lucas, "is essentially open up the most baked, decrepit images and bring them to the fore with this 21st Century technology. I haven't seen anything like this ever. It has me rethinking many of my projects."


As great as these glasses seem a major sticking point seems to be the $4000 price-tag. However, users who purchase the PandoraVision glasses at that price will be allowed to get subsequent pairs for $1500 a piece.

"We know that the price-point on the PandoraVision glasses is going to be cost prohibitive at first," offered Katzenberg. "However, users have to understand that they are essentially getting new versions of EVERYTHING. In fact, they are getting new versions of things that haven't been made yet."

"Personally, this whole thing has me breathing a sigh of relief," Spielberg laughed. "With the economy still not recovering at the pace we need it to, I was seriously wondering about plans I had harbored for Raiders Of The Lost Ark 3D! I want the whole franchise to go that way. If you recall the whole sci-fi angle of the last film, I saw a lot of opportunities to exploit that with the new technology. Now... I don't have to do anything... PandoraVision has done it all for me. When that spaceship leaves earth it's going right from the ground into your living room. I mean... wow!"


James Cameron has said that Avatar will now play in virtually 6D because it was originally created in 3D and now PandoraVision will essentially double that.

"If people were depressed about Pandora not being someplace they could go in real life, they are gonna be suicidal after seeing it in full on PandoraVision!" He quipped.


This whole thing has me breathing a sigh of relief, Spielberg laughed
This whole thing has me breathing a sigh of relief, Spielberg laughed
With all this talk of completed films being remade and reworked, the 800 lb. elephant in the room was clearly the thought of what effect PandoraVision might have on Lucas's Star Wars 6 film saga. This is considered to be a holy grail among film lovers and Star Wars alike.

"As Steven said, I now don't have to do anything. The films will be in 3D and based on what I watched of them, using PandoraVision, people are going to be amazed." Lucas opined. "I am also happy that fans won't have to repurchase the films or their entire libraries on DVD, Blu-ray or whatever. However, I might make a PandoraVision version of The Trilogy. By that I mean, I might add some digital elements to make things that were never even in the saga pop like you wouldn't believe."


When pressed about what those elements might be Lucas tried to keep mum but the captive audience wasn't having it.

"Well... aside from adding probably 200-300 more ships and soldiers to various battle scenes, I want to expand the depth of the film. I want it explode in viewer's living rooms. And also... to make the purchase of the PandoraVision discs even more appetizing for users, there is going to be a 3D version of a new character called 6RTY. This new droid just happens to be R2D2's brother. There might be a whole other story-line added where he works both sides of the force and the dark side but I really can't say anything more than that right now."


Truth be told, Lucas wasn't originally open to the idea of re-editing his films with elements he hoped the public wouldn't ever see. So what changed his mind?

"I can give you about 2600 billion reasons!" Lucas laughed when referring to Avatar's record box office run. "James has made it clear that he wasn't some fanboy of mine so naturally I was a little standoffish to him when he summoned me to the Lightstorm offices and basically told me what I had to do in order to stay competitive in this new 3D marketplace. However, you can't argue with sales and when James told me that, 'Hey, maybe Indy's whip is outdated?' Then what was I gonna say? He's got some interesting ideas for a new, slotted weapon that could take our fedora toting hero to the next level."


"It just makes good business sense," Spielberg added. "Look, George and I in many ways reinvigorated the studio film in the 1970s. The grosses we reaped were unprecedented in the history of the medium. However, what Jimmy has done has gone beyond anything we could ever hope to achieve. I mean what did Crystal Skull do worldwide? $800 million? That's nothing compared to Avatar. His success has me rethinking a lot of my ideas because suddenly George and I are obsolete in the world we created."


Katzenberg then brought the discussion back to the historic nature of PandoraVision.

"As much as the studios and the technology companies wanted Blu-ray and HDTVs to take over the viewing realm outside the movie theater, market penetration, margins and the dollar for dollar value just isn't there. PandoraVision takes all of that and says to users, 'Pay a little more now, like you did when you watched Avatar in 3D, and have the experience with you in your home whenever you want on any television you own."


This is amazing, stated Jackson
This is amazing, stated Jackson
Katzenberg then went on to say that since everything was going to be in 3D this could potentially bring the lucrative senior market to PandoraVision.

"Now people that love Lost will be able to see that show like never before. By the same token, if you loved Archie Bunker or The Untouchables as a kid, you can now have Carroll O'Connor and Robert Stack right in your living room in pristine PandoraVision."


Peter Jackson was on hand to give a demonstration of the glasses. To show off how PandoraVision can make any technology look amazing, he sat in front of a Samsung V717 television from 1996 connected to a first generation DVD player, and what he watched was projected onto the screen for viewers to see.

"This is amazing," stated Jackson.


The director exited the stage before he could field any Lord of the Rings questions.

We will have more information about PandoraVision specs and where Starlight Digital will be selling them as soon as they are made available.

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Comments (32)

  1. WARRock

    AWESOME!!! CANT WAIT FOR PANDRA OR PANDA-VISION...WHATEVER ITS CALLED

    2 years agoby @jcFlag

  2. jameslev

    haha obviously april fools, but still, you can think think of a better name than pandoravision

    2 years agoby @jameslevFlag

  3. The Soylent Green Monkey

    April Fools is the best holiday EVER.

    2 years agoby @soylentgreen2Flag

  4. Vanboy

    I meantioned wanting Star wars in 3D about a week ago. Man, I guess I'm a psychic!

    2 years agoby @vanboyFlag

  5. The Narrator: The Better Man

    LMAO. Twisted's comment was priceless.

    2 years agoby @narratorFlag

  6. SuperCanayaZ

    Money, money, I want more money. I suppose George says to Jim. :)

    2 years agoby @supercanayazFlag

  7. w4tkn

    This is an April fools joke guys.

    2 years agoby @w4tknFlag

  8. GreatOz

    I was believing this until Cameron said 6D.. I mean he's a good film maker and all but even he can't create a whole new dimension with 4000 dollar glasses. April fools indeed!!

    2 years agoby @greatozFlag

  9. fanboy

    its just like they said zach synder was going to direct the new Star Wars movies on April fools day last year.

    2 years agoby @fanboyFlag

  10. Messenger

    April fools for the lose. You know this is fake cause this has WAAAAAAAY to much info for the normal Movie Web article.

    2 years agoby @messengerFlag

  11. slysnide

    hahahaha!!!!!!!!! The look on GL's face beside JC is hilarious! Nice work on the details. Did someone get paid major overtime for writing this prank???? Hope so. lolz

    2 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  12. SaintCharles

    Is every story today gonna have James Cameron or Avatar mentioned in it or what? Granted it was a nice looking movie but that was it, actually got bored for almost an hour during it.

    2 years agoby @saintcharlesFlag

  13. Err

    @cap'n rumi

    it's called "for fun"

    2 years agoby @err2005Flag

  14. Mutant

    One day we won't need 3D glasses, to watch 3D. think about that for a second. It's no joke

    2 years agoby @zenderFlag

  15. Mutant

    half a joke and not, Locus intends to convert it to 3D now

    2 years agoby @zenderFlag

  16. Xybernetic

    this years april fool jokes lacked originality

    2 years agoby @xyberneticFlag

  17. CaptainRumi

    I don't understand how can be someone so dumb, that writes a long story about nonsene even if it's April 1st today.

    2 years agoby @captainrumiFlag

  18. ed_wood

    Hmm.

    2 years agoby @ed-woodFlag

  19. Err

    well duhhhh... pretty much if brian proclaims its legitimacy, its probably fake.

    2 years agoby @err2005Flag

  20. Charles DeMar

    April Fools perhaps?

    2 years agoby @nemesissisFlag

  21. darthboromir

    Anyone else notice the DATE at the top of the article/ APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!!!

    2 years agoby @darthboromirFlag

  22. Err

    i dont think cameron could "make" lucas do anything.

    2 years agoby @err2005Flag

  23. T.Clark

    Pandoravision cures depression! Forget doctor prescribed medication that you'll overdose on...just call James Cameron!

    2 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  24. T.Clark

    Movietweetbook.....hahahaha

    2 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  25. Twisted Smile (The Untold Smile)

    The above article is an old report released earlier this evening. Here is an update on the article that suggests that everything you know and love may soon "pop out" at you... literally According to MOVIETWEETBOOK.COM, the technology doesn't just stop with television and film. An insider for WHATYOUTALKINGABOUTWILLIS.COM leaked information suggesting that the glasses can also cause anything you look at to appear in PANDORAVISION. That's right folks, whatever you can see with your weird little beady eyes will appear in glorious PANDORAVISION, but not everyone feels this is good news. The source went on to say that pharmaceutical companies are worried that a certain male enhancement drug may no longer be needed due to the effects the glasses offer. This may seem like a "little" problem though to the rest of the population whom according to WHATYOUTALKINGABOUTWILLIS.COM's current pole is much in favor of this new technology. More updates are expected throughout the day so check back often. Until then I leave with a wise quote from the Mr. Allinyourface, "If I reach down to pick it up will it bite me?"

    2 years agoby @twistedsmileFlag

  26. Emmytt

    i hate April 1st bullsh*t

    2 years agoby @emmyttFlag

  27. Slancio

    These glasses cause brain damage! They unify right and left brain function in a way nature never intended. Users have complained that when taking the glasses off, actual reality begins to appear flat, almost like the real world has been transformed into 2d! A friend of mine who lives in LA was part of the trial testing, and is in a total panic. He can no longer drive a car, and has problems even walking down a sidewalk without running into people. I have written to my congressman. There must be serious trials before these glasses are available for the general public.

    2 years agoby @slancioFlag

  28. incmob

    hey Brian, hate to burst your bubble, but i googled it and all that came up was imdb and movieweb, and the imdb link is from movieweb.

    you dont still believe zach snyder is redoing the star wars trilogy too do you? lol... j/k

    2 years agoby @incmobFlag

  29. Brian

    This is totally legit! I've seen the press releases everywhere! Just search for "Pandoravision" on Google!

    2 years agoby @brianFlag

  30. ejk1

    Don't they have anything better to do than this April Fools bullsh*t?

    2 years agoby @ejk1Flag

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