Pixar’s director of 3D production, Josh Hollander, announced via the 3D Creative Summit in London that the Disney-owned studio is working on a 3D re-release of both THE INCREDIBLES and RATATOUILLE, although no specific date was given. He stated that these films would follow 3D re-releases of TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, FINDING NEMO, and MONSTERS, INC.
For both films, Hollander said they are trying to "figure out exactly what the release strategy for that will be." Whatever that means. Hollander also went on to discuss the medium of 3D and how it has alienated some viewers with unnecessary usage (outside Pixar, of course), which is ironic, as the same argument could be made for THE INCREDIBLES and RATATOUILLE.
“I think that we as an industry may have lost some of our audience for 3D with releases that didn’t beg for the medium or didn’t warrant the medium or didn’t use the median in a nuanced and sophisticated and comfortable way. I think it’s possible that we drove some folks away from 3D with the higher ticket price or whatever else. But I also think that as the industry settles on a more nuanced approach, I really hope and believe that the audiences will return.”
While I've settled into 3D for the "bigger" new films that hit the market, the re-release market is another matter. As obnoxious as post-conversion is already, at least with newer films they can plan on that post-conversion and shoot for it to an extent, even if it's not in actual 3D. Converting old films that never had any chance of seeing a 3D release just feels like an experimental gimmick. Granted, animated films fare MUCH better on that scale, but still, why not pour your efforts into newer features? Hollander mentioned that they are working on 3D for the upcoming original Pixar release INSIDE OUT, which is fine (and expected), but I don't see the need to continue to scour the catalog.
What do you think? Do you want to see more of Pixar's old catalog converted to 3D?
Pixar's next film, INSIDE OUT, is set for June 19, 2015 with THE GOOD DINOSAUR to follow on November 25, 2015, and then FINDING DORY on June 17, 2016.