Ang Lee, much like Peter Jackson and James Cameron, is a filmmaker that is always pushing the limits of the medium. Whether it’s using CGI in the film “Life of Pi” or 3D in his most recent “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” Lee is always looking for new and interesting ways to present his projects. And it appears for his next film “Gemini Man,” the filmmaker is taking all that he’s learned and pushing it even farther for fans to experience. That is, if your theater is equipped to present it.
A letter was recently sent to theater exhibitors from Paramount Pictures, in preparation of Ang Lee’s “Gemini Man.” The film, which stars Will Smith, Clive Owen, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, tells the story of an aging assassin attempting to leave the lifestyle, but finds himself hunted by a younger clone of himself. Think “John Wick” but if Keanu Reeves was being stalked by a younger Keanu.
Not only is this going to require some extensive de-aging and CGI visual effects work, just to make it convincing, but Lee isn’t content with stopping there. He’s also apparently utilizing the HFR (High Frame Rate) technology that he used on the aforementioned ‘Billy Lynn.’
The note sent to exhibitors comes with instructions on how to test whether the theater is equipped to handle the HFR technology. The letter states the film will have versions presented in 60fps 3D and 120fps 2D. Of course, one has to assume this is in addition to the typical 24fps 3D and boring old 24fps 2D.
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The HFR and 3D were utilized on ‘Billy Lynn’ to varying degrees of success. Many wondered why the film featured advanced technology to tell that specific story. However, those questions probably won’t be asked when “Gemini Man” hits theaters, as the sci-fi/thriller seems tailor-made for this sort of tech.
“Gemini Man” will be released by Paramount on October 4.
You can read the letter below:
