Director Guillermo del Toro set one rule when bringing Pan’s Labyrinth back to theaters to commemorate its 20th anniversary. It was “AI is no good”.
The filmmaker returned to San Diego Comic-Con on July 24 to discuss the film’s 20th anniversary. It will be shown in 3D and HDR for the first time on October 9th.
The filmmaker said he chose to convert “Pan’s Labyrinth” to 3D by hand and not use AI.
“Of course I said, ‘No way with AI,'” he said, to applause from the audience. “What we’re preserving is the beauty and the redemptive power of art, not who gets the job. We’re preserving the lineage of art. If we cut off generations of people from learning their craft, what are we cutting them off from the rest of the history of that medium?”
Coach del Toro said he has two options when it comes to making a conversion. “Do it fast or do it well.”
“I chose a good one. You have to spend time. Every element has to be done by hand. A human made a deep decision,” he said.
During the panel discussion, del Toro teased a documentary exploring the making of the original film, featuring appearances and commentary from Jacob Elordi, Cate Blanchett, Charlie Day and more.
Also available in 2D HDR, Cineverse, and Fathom 4K, each version will be directed by del Toro himself and re-released on the big screen. Tickets will be available for purchase from September 9th.
“Pan’s Labyrinth” follows a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who travels to a fantasy world after fleeing the dangers of Franco-controlled Spain in 1944 in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. While there, she befriends a mysterious faun and navigates a world of terrifying beasts. Doug Jones, Maribel Verdu, and Sergi López star alongside Vaquero.
Pan’s Labyrinth grossed $83 million worldwide in 2006 and was nominated for six Oscars, winning three for Best Makeup, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction.
Del Toro returned to the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to show a 4K restoration of the film, which drew minutes of applause. Twenty years ago, the film made Cannes history with the longest standing ovation in history, lasting a total of 22 minutes.
