The Walt Disney Studios is planning to debut new Disney Digital 3-D versions of TOY STORY on Oct. 2, 2009, and TOY STORY 2 on Feb. 12, 2010, as a lead-in to the 3-D launch of TOY STORY 3 on June 18, 2010. Veteran Pixar filmmaker Lee Unkrich (co-director of TOY STORY 2) is helming TOY STORY 3.
John Lasseter, director of the first two TOY STORY films and chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, will personally oversee the creative side of the 3-D conversions for TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2, with his acclaimed technical team at Pixar handling all the necessary steps in the conversion process, retrieving all of the original digital elements and rebuilding them in 3-D.
Commented Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, "We are committed to bringing moviegoers the best and most exciting 3-D movie experience, and we think they're going to love seeing Buzz Lightyear, Woody and all the wonderful TOY STORY cast of characters in an eye-popping and dazzling way. John Lasseter and the animation team are putting all their passion and hard work into making this the greatest 3-D experience yet, and we're excited to share their efforts with audiences everywhere."
Lasseter added, "The TOY STORY films and characters will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we're so excited to be bringing this landmark film back for audiences to enjoy in a whole new way thanks to the latest in 3-D technology. With TOY STORY 3 shaping up to be another great adventure for Buzz, Woody and the gang from Andy's room, we thought it would be great to let audiences experience the first two films all over again and in a brand new way."
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
