Linus Sandgren says the camera format should answer to the story, not the other way around.

The Oscar-winning cinematographer has stepped into a timely conversation as interest grows around VistaVision and large-format filmmaking. In discussing work tied to Wuthering Heights and looking ahead to Dune: Part 3, Sandgren framed the decision in practical terms: each format brings a different texture, scale, and emotional effect, and filmmakers need to choose with purpose. That approach lands at a moment when directors and cinematographers keep revisiting older technologies to create something that feels fresh on modern screens.

“It’s a tool to serve the story.”

That line captures why VistaVision’s revival matters beyond industry nostalgia. The format carries a distinct visual character, and reports indicate filmmakers see renewed value in its ability to deliver detail and breadth without treating spectacle as the only goal. Sandgren’s comments suggest the appeal lies less in retro branding and more in control: image formats can shape intimacy, scale, and movement in ways audiences feel even if they never know the technical name behind the frame.

Key Facts

  • Linus Sandgren discussed the return of VistaVision and the role of format choice in filmmaking.
  • He said filmmakers should treat format as a storytelling tool.
  • Sandgren has Dune: Part 3 set for theatrical release in December.
  • The conversation highlights renewed interest in large-format and legacy film technologies.

The IMAX piece of the conversation points to where the business may head next. As premium formats compete for audience attention, cinematographers like Sandgren sit at the center of an increasingly important choice: how to justify scale in a theatrical market that demands a reason to leave home. Sources suggest that tension now shapes production decisions as much as aesthetics do. A format can promise immersion, but it also has to support the film’s rhythm, budget, and exhibition strategy.

What happens next will matter well beyond one title or one cinematographer. If more filmmakers follow Sandgren’s logic, format decisions may become less about trend-chasing and more about matching technology to mood, character, and scope. With Dune: Part 3 heading toward theaters in December, that debate will only sharpen as audiences and studios watch which visual experiences still feel worth building a night around.