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Not all that glitters is gold

Will You Have To Pay 3D Prices (Or More) At The Theater For The 48 FPS Hobbit Showings?

by Jill Pantozzi | 4:22 pm, August 23rd, 2012


I’m gonna go ahead and guess most of us would pay anything to see Peter Jackson’s Hobbit films but when it comes to theater trips these days, not all of us have Smaug’s gold collection. When you decide to see a 3D film, things get get even worse. So what about this new technology that Jackson is using for his trilogy? Will you be paying more at the door? 

Originally, we heard screenings of the three films will take place six ways: 3-D, 2-D, and IMAX 3-D, and then each of those in the regular 24-frames per second style and the new 48-frames version. Although, we just found out only select cities, and not even all the major ones, would be getting the 48 fps Hobbitses. One reason for that could be a lot of people freaked out when they first saw footage of the films at the faster rate but for those who don’t mind, or even prefer it, is more money expected when you buy your ticket?

The short answer is no. Here’s what The Hollywood Reporter says:

Exhibitors will not charge moviegoers an added premium for tickets to higher-frame rate screenings of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey when the movie opens Dec. 14. While that decision rests with individual theater-owners and not Warner Bros, the studio that will be releasing the movie, a source close to the situation confirms that Warners has received assurances from exhibitors that they will not raise ticket prices when showing the movie at the higher rate of 48 frames per second.

They also write, “While The Hobbit also will be presented in 2D, it will screen at 48 fps only in its 3D versions,” which is contrary to what we heard a few months ago but either way, more money is more money and I, for one, am relieved theaters aren’t going to hike prices for 48 fps. Especially considering they’ll have to invest in new equipment to run the films that way.

“As an industry there is a certain amount of trouble that we are in; kids seem to think watching a movie on an iPad is an okay think to do,” said Jackson. “Advocating that we have to stick with what we know [24 fps] I think is a slightly narrow mined way of looking at things when as an industry we are facing declining audiences. We have to find ways to make it more vibrant, more immersive  – something that will encourage people to come back to the theaters for that experience.”

So, bottom line, yes, you’ll probably be paying 3D prices for The Hobbit trilogy if you choose to see it in 48 fps, but no more above that. Are you relieved?

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Previously in The Hobbit

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  • http://www.facebook.com/Travis.K.Fischer Travis Kyle Fischer

    I’m pretty neutral about 3-D, generally I can take or leave it, but I’d like to see what this 48FPS fuss is all about.
    Ideally I’d probably want to watch it in 2-D at 48FPS, but I wouldn’t have a problem getting the 3-D ticket if that’s what it takes. This is all hypothetical anyway since I doubt my theater will even get the 48FPS version.

  • Anonymous

    due to an unusual eye condition I don’t have binocular vision, ergo the 3D screens are a blurry too expensive muck, but I would like to see it at 48fps. To be sure, that’s not a demographic they’re particularly interested in catering too, but it’s still a bit irksome

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/5ZXIEGCAFZ4F7LBI6QTTN3YJCY Ashe

    I look forward to seeing it in 2D anyway.

  • Anonymous

    I would love to see it in 48fps, but 3d gives me horrible headaches.  Too bad, it’s the traditional 24fps for me.

  • Anonymous

    Hey me too. Which bites for this, as I’d love to experience the 48fps without paying more just to wear the stupid glasses so I can watch the movie in 2D.

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