Glee: The 3D Concert Movie is a 2011 American 3D concert documentary film directed by Kevin Tancharoen and produced by Dante Di Loreto and Ryan Murphy. It is based on the Fox television series Glee and features the cast performing during the Glee Live! In Concert! tour. The film was Cory Monteith and Mark Salling's final film roles before their deaths in July 2013 and January 2018 respectively.
The film was released theatrically by 20th Century Fox in the United States on August 12, 2011. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment, grossing only $18 million worldwide on a $9 million budget.
Synopsis
Glee: The 3D Concert Movie depicts a Glee Cast concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey during the group's 2011 Glee Live! In Concert! tour. It features behind-the-scenes footage, and a setlist of songs from the show's first and second seasons. As well as the behind-the-scenes footage, the film portrays the series' influence on teenagers, including one who is gay named Trenton, one with Asperger syndrome named Josey Pickering, and a cheerleader with short stature named Janae. The fan segments were created by documentary filmmaker Jennifer Arnold.
Cast
Dianna Agron as Quinn
Chris Colfer as Kurt
Darren Criss as Blaine
Kevin McHale as Artie
Lea Michele as Rachel
Cory Monteith as Finn
Heather Morris as Brittany
Amber Riley as Mercedes
Naya Rivera as Santana
Mark Salling as Puck
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina
Harry Shum Jr. as Mike
Chord Overstreet as Sam
Ashley Fink as Lauren
Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays Holly Holliday on the series, appears uncredited (credited in the "songs performed by..." section, on the song "Forget You"), while Jane Lynch, who plays Sue Sylvester in the series, appears uncredited in an opening scene only included on the DVD/Blu-ray release. Ten actors and dancers appear as the Dalton Academy Warblers, joining Criss for a mini-set of three songs. Four of these Warblers appeared on the Glee TV series in the second season: Titus Makin Jr. (David), Curt Mega (Nick), Riker Lynch (Jeff), and Jon Hall (vocal percussionist).
Production
Background
In May 2010, the Glee cast performed a sold-out 13-date North American concert tour. A European extension of the tour was announced in November of that year, and further North American dates were added for May and June 2011.
In early May 2011, it was announced that 20th Century Fox and series creator Ryan Murphy would together produce a 3-D film of the tour, directed by Kevin Tancharoen and shot during the North American leg. Murphy stated that the number of venues Glee Live! In Concert! could visit was limited, due to time constraints imposed by producing the television series, and as such, the film would enable a wider audience to experience the tour. Gary Newman, chairman of 20th Century Fox, expanded: "Part of what motivated us to do this movie in the first place is there was such a clamoring among Glee fans who said, 'Why didn't you bring this tour to my city?' They felt left out because we only went to four cities during our first tour. This movie will give fans—not just in the US but around the world—the chance to experience the 'Glee' concert in a visceral way." Newman said that the 3D format was chosen to give the audience "an immersing experience", and that the project is principally about "brand extension". He suggested that Glee is apt to work in the medium of film as many fans are teenagers and young adults, the prime concert film demographic, and are able to relate to Glee central themes such as inclusion.
