Robert Zemeckis’ CG adaptation of the epic Old English poem Beowulf is set to get a stereoscopic 3D release on Nov. 16, 2007, the same day it arrives in conventional theaters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the feature film from Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures will be digitally enhanced for projection in Real D cinemas and other large-format 3D venues.
Written by an unknown sixth-century Anglo-Saxon scribe, Beowulf casts its title character as the one man who can defeat Grendel, a monster terrorizing a Danish kingdom, and his scaly, cave-dwelling mother. The classic tale has been adapted for the screen by fantasy author Neil Gaiman (MirrorMask, Coraline) and Silent Hill scribe Roger Avary, and will feature the voices of Angelina Jolie, Ray Winstone, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover and Anthony Hopkins.
Beowulf is employing the patented Performance Capture technology Sony Pictures Imageworks created for Zemeckis’ The Polar Express. The movements and facial expressions of the actors will be captured in computers and applied to computer-generated characters in fully digital environments.
Zemeckis’ third 3D endeavor, Beowulf is slated to bow in more than 1,000 Real D theaters and other locations equipped for 3D projection, making it the widest day-and-date large-format 3D release to date. IMAX, which has sold a lot of tickets to the 3D version of The Polar Express, is a likely partner, though no deal has been announced.
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