Colin Trevorrow, director of the upcoming Star Wars: IX has revealed that he will be opting for the more conventional film stock to shoot the film in lieu of digital cameras, in a panel at Sundance Film Festival, Variety reports.
Even though Trevorrow's last hit (and it was a big hit), "Jurassic World" was heavily dependent on digital effects, he has decided to shoot "Star Wars: Episode IX" on film and not digital.
Trevorrow's remarks came in the midst of a panel that was discussing the benefits of film at a point when studios have encouraged directors to switch to digital projectors and film is a dying media. Digital is known to be cheaper and easier to use.
Supporting Trevorrow in his decision was Christopher Nolan, who was involved in the writing and directing of hits "The Dark Knight," "Inception," and "Interstellar," as well as cinematographer of "Fruitvale Station" Rachel Morrison. Nolan defended film from past critiques of the performance of movies shot in film by stating that digital projectors break down too, but that those are hardly reported. He also countered the argument that digital is cheaper and hence convenient.
Trevorrow claims to love film, but his reasons for shooting "Star Wars: Episode IX" extend beyond his personal liking - he cites thematic accuracy. "(Star Wars) is a period film," he joked. "It happened a long time ago." Treverrow's most recent predecessors had switched to digital - but Trevorrow believes his approach matches the saga's personality. Star Wars' movement towards digital started in 1999 with the first Star Wars prequel, "The Phantom Menace." It gathered speed in 2002 with "Attack of the Clones" and in 2005 with "Revenge of the Sith."
"Star Wars: Episode VII" was just released in December of last year (2015), while the next Star Wars film "Star Wars: Episode VIII", the eighth film in the series, is set to be released in late 2017 and directed by Rian Johnson. "Star Wars: Episode IX" should be released in around 2019.
