"Avatar 2" has been pushed back to December 2018 due to updates on the script, improvements on the technology used for production, and the launching simultaneously with "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," which the production team wants to avoid. The film may be delayed even further now that James Cameron wants it to launch with glasses-free 3D technology.
Cameron recently accepted admission into the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and during his acceptance speech he discussed some details regarding "Avatar 2" and its sequels. As per IndieWire, he had confirmed he aimed to implement glasses-free 3D viewing in cinemas in the future.
"I'm going to push. Not only for better tools, workflow, high dynamic range (HDR) and high frame rates (HFR) - the things we are working toward. I'm still very bullish on 3D, but we need brighter projection, and ultimately I think it can happen - with no glasses. We'll get there," he told the attending audience.
It should be noted that glasses-free technology is being done in other mediums. Nintendo had been profiting from the glasses-free 3D of their handheld gaming device, the Nintendo 3DS, for several years now, and some television makers are beginning to experiment with it as well.
However, launching a film in cinemas is a different aspect given that the 3D needs to work for all of the viewers regardless of their position in the theater. The limited viewing angle has been the main hurdle for this type of technology thus far.
SlashFilm also points out that Cameron also discussed the possibility of shooting the "Avatar" films at 120 frames per second. Director Ang Lee had just shot "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" in 120 fps and this may push Cameron to consider using the technology, especially if he can improve it to make it more pleasing for viewers.
"Avatar 2" will premiere in late 2018, and it will be followed by "Avatar 3" in 2020, "Avatar 4" in 2022, and "Avatar 5" in 2023.
