Saturday, October 31

• Tron Legacy Producer Talks About the Impact of Technology

  When a sequel to an effects-heavy movie is made 27 years after the original, it's assumed that the technological advances in effects would give the sequel a much different look — especially when it's arriving in 3-D and features "groundbreaking technology".

  In a recent interview with GameRevolution, however, producer Sean Bailey explained that Tron Legacy won't stray far from the original design — until the action begins.

  The great thing is that the design is relatively timeless, but the ability we had effects-wise, action-wise, the speed we can move the Light Cycles at — we thought we could deliver just an incredible ride, an action movie, a science-fiction movie. We have the benefit of all this great design. I'm pretty confident that for all ages, this is going to be a rock 'n' roll ride, here. It's going to be a lot of fun.

  In the first Tron, the relationship between character and computer technology wasn't something that writer/director Steven Lisberger was worried about explaining in a "real world" context. Bailey admits that Legacy will follow that example, with story trumping any technological inconsistencies.

  I think Steven and team in '82, they had the burden — people weren't day-to-day familiar with what these things were, or able to say "this is an accounting program" or "this is memory". We thought to, in this movie, call out "this is Quicken," or "this is your Microsoft program" — we thought that would just burden things. We just said that we're going to tell this story — there is symbolism, there is allegory, but none of it is on the nose. We're going to tell this story about these characters in this world that has evolved from that world — but inside the System, we assume that they're going to take it all for granted, so therefore, so are we. We're not going to feel the need to be expositional about this is that program's role in your day to day life, at your desktop.

  But what about the technological elements that fans really care about, such as light cycles and disc battles? Bailey says that Legacy has some surprises in store.

  Well ... yes, there will be some new vehicles. There will be some surprises in terms of characters — there are some exciting ideas, and some new stuff to play with. Some new toys. All I can say for now.

  
  
  Next Showing: Tron Legacy opens December 17, 2010
  

  Reelz Clip

  Sean Bailey, Jeff Bridges, Joseph Kosinski on digital 3D technology

  Posted 10/31/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Steven Lisberger | Sean Bailey | Tron | Tron: Legacy

Thursday, July 23

• Disney: 3D Panel Features Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Tron: Legacy, and A Christmas Carol

  

  

  One of Thursday's most anticipated events at Comic-Con was the Disney: 3D Panel. The panel didn't disappoint, either, with Robert Zemeckis kicking things off by speaking about 3-D movies as the wave of the future, though not necessarily right for all movies. The main focus of his talk was on his upcoming re-imagining of A Christmas Tale, which is a decidedly eerie take on the classic novel. The clips he showed definitely upped the creepiness factor in Zemeckis' attempt to reach the surreal tone of the book. He also revealed that Jim Carrey will be playing eight roles in the movie, though why Zemeckis would want that is still unclear.

  Despite a little wind being kicked out of his sails, Tim Burton's part of the panel was still the highlight. Although the clip he showed was leaked earlier, it still made quite an impression. Plus, Burton still had a surprise up his sleeves, and brought out his friend Johnny Depp, who plays the Mad Hatter in Burton's upcoming adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

  Last up was the Tron panel, which showed footage from last year in 3-D as well as new clips that weren't yet converted. No new details about the plot or technology that's being used to create the movie were offered, but it was officially titled Tron Legacy and the original Tron's creator, Steven Lisberger, joined Jeff Bridges and director Joseph Kosinski onstage.

  We'll have videos from this event and others posted shortly, so stick around.

  
  

  Posted 07/23/2009 by reelz

  Related: Johnny Depp | Robert Zemeckis | Steven Lisberger | Tim Burton | Alice in Wonderland | A Christmas Carol | Tron: Legacy