With the ongoing debate between digital and film happening within Hollywood, what no one really wants to acknowledge is that it’s not about one format being inherently better than the other, it’s about which serves the specific needs of a given project. And the “Star Wars” franchise is proving to be the perfect example of that.
THR reports that Gareth Edwards‘ upcoming “Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One” will be shot using the new Arri Alexa 65, a digital camera that provides 6K resolution. In layman’s terms, it will melt your face off. The name might be familiar because it was reported not long ago that the Russo Brothers were using a new fangled IMAX version of the camera for the entirety of their “Avengers: Infinity War” shoot. But the “regular” Arri Alexa 65 has become a popular one, used by guys like Emmanuel Lubezki (“Birdman,” “The Revenant“), Robert Elswit (“Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation“), and now Greig Fraser of “Foxcatcher” and “Zero Dark Thirty” fame on ‘Rogue One.’
However, for “Star Wars: Episode 8,” it’s going to be analog for Rian Johnson (via Collider). Asked about the recent semi-resurgence of 65mm by Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson, and whether or not he’d use the big frames for his ‘Star Wars’ movie, Johnson revealed he was sticking with 35mm. Why? Because that’s what is going to work for the movie he’s putting together.
So, you’ll be getting one “Star Wars” delivered in cutting edge digital, and another on “old school” 35mm. At the end of the day, and particularly in a franchise like this, it’s not about the tech details but about the story being told.
@LaRabiaCompany I really wanted to, but for some specific logistical reasons we're sticking with 35.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 10, 2015