Jackson trials 3D for Dam Busters remake 

Source: NZPAPeter Jackson

Wellington film director Peter Jackson is shooting experimental three-dimensional (3D) aerial footage in New Zealand as part of testing whether the technology could be used for his remake of the Dam Busters.

The Lord Of The Rings director told The Daily Telegraph he wants to use new technology to make bombs leap out at the audience in his re-imagining of the 1954 classic war film.

Jackson said: "I think a World War II bombing raid in 3D would be neat."

The Lord of the Rings moviemaker has done test shots in New Zealand of a Lancaster bomber and has ordered the construction of 10 replicas for a film costing over $90 million.

The newspaper said that if the 3D footage was successful, there was a possibility for the whole movie to be filmed in 3D, portraying British bombers raiding German dams.

Jackson has said he wants his film to be "as authentic as possible and as close to the spirit of the original as possible".

The original film, now a cult classic, starred Richard Todd as Wing Commander Guy Gibson.

Jackson's Weta Digital has been involved in American director James Cameron's 3D movie Avatar, a $450 million science fiction film to be released in December.

American distributors are already upgrading projection systems for 3D, and 10 British cinemas a week are switching to the necessary digital projection systems.

In New Zealand, SkyCity Cinemas general manager Jane Hastings has predicted 3D movies will eventually become the only way to view animated movies.