When Peter Jackson filmed and projected The Hobbit: An Extended Journey with a higher frame rate of 48 frames per second (double the normal cinematic standard of 24 frames per second), reaction among audiences was mixed. Although the next two Hobbit installments will also likely be released in a 48 FPS format, few filmmakers were enticed enough by the results of the first film to move forward with this alternative way of shooting. Regardless, James Cameron said he would use the format when making his Avatar sequels and now, X-Men: Days of Future Past may also be headed toward a 48 FPS release when it hits theatres on May 23, 2014.
Over the weekend, two high-rep anonymous sources confirmed to Ain’t It Cool News that Bryan Singer shot X-Men: Days of Future Past with the higher format and the film will be released with a 48 FPS option. According to one source, who goes by the nickname Asta the Wonder Dog, “The filmmakers played coy because of the negative reaction to the technology when the Hobbit film was released, but love the results and will be standing behind a theatrical release in high frame rate.”
Fox has not yet made a statement regarding this format change, although that could be due to the initial backlash toward 48FPS with Peter Jackson’s film. In an interview with director Bryan Singer before filming began, though, the X-Men director did not hint that he was thinking of using double the frame rate.
Audiences who were unhappy with the results on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey said that watching CGI effects clash with the New Zealand locations made the film’s aesthetic look incredibly fake, like a soap opera’s. Since X-Men: First Class had a lot of outdoor action sequences that were CGI-heavy, there may be a reason for fans anticipating X-Men: Days of Future Past to worry if the real settings will clash with the special effects in 48 FPS.
What did you think of the higher frame rate the first time around? Are you excited or dismayed that more filmmakers are shooting and releasing their films in that format?
