We Now Know Why 'Doctor Strange 2' is in IMAX 3D (Hint: It Involves 'Avatar 2,' of course!)

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A few weeks ago, when I happily reported that "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" would be the first move in more than two years to get some IMAX 3D releases, I secretly wondered if the upcoming 'Avatar 2' had something to do with it.  I didn't publicly speculate, but now that my suspicions have been confirmed I wish I had.  Right now, we're in the middle of Cinema Con.  While I am not attending (and thus can only do secondhand reporting) James Cameron's world of 'Avatar' got a lot of attention.  First of all, the original "Avatar" (you know, the movie everyone hates that got nominated for Best Picture anyway) will be getting a remastered re-release this September.  The reason is because it has been more than a decade since the film was seen in theaters, and Disney (the studio who now owns 'Avatar') wants there to be a refresher before "Avatar: The Way of Water" is released on December 16th.

Yes, 'Avatar 2' has a title AND a release date!  Been a long time coming!  At Cinema Con a teaser trailer was shown to attendees.  3D glasses were handed out, as Cameron is going to be making it clear that 3D is THE way to see this!  According to Deadline:

Avatar 2 takes place in and around the ocean. Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Saldana) have children. “Wherever we go,” says Sully, “this family is our fortress.” The sequel looks even more jaw dropping in its deep-blue visuals than the 2009 film. All new creatures: We see the Na’vi on flying fish bird creatures, communing with a whale, and yet somehow divided despite their affinity with nature: The alien people are split, battling against each other in a guns vs. arrows fight. It’s truly a whole new world upping the stakes of the previous 3x Oscar winning film.

And yes, this teaser WILL premier before "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness!"

This certainly makes sense why IMAX has dedicated several showtimes to 3D showings of the latest Marvel offering.  Not only does this movie seem like it is going to be a dream in 3D, but if 'Avatar' fans really want to see this teaser the way it is supposed to be seen, it's going to be in an IMAX 3D screen!  Of course, 3D has taken a big enough beating that most IMAX's will only have one 3D screening (two at most).  The good news is most screenings are at 4:30pm or some similar times (MUCH better than the 11:15am and 10:30pm showings I had to attend for "Avengers: Endgame" and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" if I wanted to experience those in the third dimension).

I also suspect that this is a test to see if there is an appetite for 3D movies again.  I have no doubt that "Avatar: The Way of Water" will only be seen in IMAX 3D when it is released.  Cameron is a powerful man and he will insist that 3D is the way to view this movie.  If the newest Doctor Strange overperforms, it may convince IMAX to dedicate more 3D showings to movies in-between.  Could the success of "Avatar: The Way of Water" inspire a resurgence in 3D?

Well...I have thoughts on that, and I have a LOT to say!  So, keep this blog bookmarked; there is suddenly a LOT we have to talk about!

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