When this newStar Warstrilogy concludes withStar Wars: Episode IX, it’ll do so in grand fashion. Despite the fact that most blockbusters nowadays are shot on digital, directorJ.J. Abramsmade the decision to shootStar Wars: The Force Awakenson 35mm film. It was a bold choice, and one that reinforced the idea that digital is not ubiquitous—filmmakers should be able to maintain the option of shooting on film. ForEpisode VIII, directorRian Johnsonfollowed suit, shooting on 35mm film to keep the aesthetic in line with Abrams’ choice. But whenEpisode IXrolls around, there will be a change.
Kodak (viaThe Playlist) just announced that their film processing facility in the U.K. can now handle 65mm film, and one of the projects that’s listed as using this large-format film is none other than directorColin Trevorrow’sEpisode IX. Indeed, it appears that the intention with this trilogy-capping installment is to shoot the entire thing on 65mm film, which is akin to IMAX.
65mm film has seen a resurgence in recent years, asChristopher Nolansomewhat revived the format so that he could continue shooting his movies in IMAX while not going digital. Large swaths ofInterstellarwere shot on 65mm, and his upcoming World War II actionerDunkirkwas shot almost entirely in 65mm. This was also the format used byPaul Thomas AndersonforThe MasterandQuentin TarantinoforThe Hateful Eight.
So what is 65mm film, exactly? Well the name refers to the width of the actual film cell, and shooting on 65mm film allows the filmmaker to capture a much larger frame withmuchhigher quality. Images that may look a little grainy on 35mm will look pristine in 65mm.
Johnson actuallyconsidered shootingEpisode VIIIin 65mmbut, due to logistical reasons, had to stick with 35. It’s possible those logistical reasons were a lack of film processing facilities in the U.K., where theStar Warsmovies are based, but with Kodak now ready and willing to process 65mm, new avenues have opened up.
The site also lists Disney’sThe Nutcracker and the Four RealmsandKenneth Branagh’sMurder on the Orient Expressas films that will be shot on 65mm, so we could be about to see a major resurgence of the format in a big way.
Trevorrow will be reuniting with hisJurassic WorldcinematographerJohn SchwartzmanforEpisode IX(the two used 65mm for some scenes in theJurassicrebootquel), which is in development at the moment while Lucasfilm juggles post-production onEpisode VIII, readies the release ofRogue Onefor next month, and gears up to start production onPhil LordandChris Miller’suntitled Young Han Solo moviein January.
Everything’s coming upStar Wars!
