Avatar 2 to Screen in Glasses-Free 3D?

Production is finally getting underway on Avatar 2 in the months ahead, with James Cameron and his extensive team also making three more Avatar sequels over the coming years. The original Avatar, of course, was a groundbreaker when it came to the use of 3D in movies, and effectively kickstarted the eight-year-old 3D boom that’s been dwindling out more recently.

But Cameron plans to do something about that. While it’s no surprise that he plans to make his four Avatar sequels in 3D, what may raise some eyebrows is that he intends to remove the need to wear 3D glasses to get the effect.

This is not a new idea, but it seems now that the work is pressing ahead thanks to a collaborative effort with Christie Digital, who are developing an RGB laser projection system that delivers bright images — up to 60,000 lumens — at a high frame rate and will have it ready for Avatar 2’s release. A report at Inside The Magic indicates that glasses-free 3D is not confirmed but “within reach” — although Cameron’s reputation for breaking technical boundaries with his films means we wouldn’t bet against him on this.

There is also the small matter of theaters needing to invest in the technology to project the glasses-free 3D that Avatar 2 is likely to have. But given that the movie doesn’t come out until December 18, 2020, there’s plenty of time to work that out. How does the idea of getting rid of those odd and often clunky spectacles sound to you?