The first trailer of the highly anticipated "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" has finally made its way to the public on Tuesday. Its diehard fans might already be dying to watch the movie on November 20 but it seems like they will be seeing Katniss and her allies in 2D screenings as Lionsgate Entertainment has recently scrapped its 3D release for American theaters.
According to Forbes, the studio has announced earlier this year that the fourth and final chapter of Katniss' journey to freedom and justice will have a 3D and IMAX 3D release -a first for the franchise -along with its traditional 2D screenings. Along with this, Lions Gate has also decided back in February to release its first part in 3D for the Chinese market as well as its second part in 3D in overseas markets.
However, just recently, the studio confirmed that the said plan has been scrapped. The 3D release would still be available in China and the rest of the world, but in American theaters will only be able to watch "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" in 2D.
Hypable reports that the reason for this alteration of plans is because Lionsgate wanted to "maintain the relative consistency of the franchise" - in other words, it chose to screen it exclusively in 2D since its previous films, "The Hunger Games", "Catching Fire", and the first part of "Mockingjay", were not released in 3D either.
Francis Lawrence, director of the film, expressed his support to the studio's decision. "I love the 3D format and I know that Mockingjay Part 2 will play perfectly in 3D and 2D internationally - but I'm pleased that we're maintaining the 2D only (and IMAX) formats domestically. It is the best of all worlds," the filmmaker said.
Nowadays, 3D conversion is already faces disadvantages for moviegoers due to the headache it gives and the cost of tickets. Companies may have adapted this kind of screening because it's not prone to privacy but having the films in 3D is also a risk as it is not always a success. In fact, Lionsgate's "Insurgent" was not able to outdo its predecessor in the box office even though the movie was released in 3D.
Meanwhile, as per Comic Book's report, the forthcoming film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Robert Knepper, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Donald Sutherland.
"The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2" is set to hit theaters later this year, on November 20.
Join the Conversation