tinto and tits

ll roads lead to Rome … Tinto Brass directed the epic Caligula, about the notorious Roman emperor, but spectacularly fell out with its producers. Photograph: Cinetext/Allstar

Stereoscopic film technology looks set to take a fresh leap into the unknown thanks to veteran Italian director Tinto Brass. Where James Cameron's Avatar took viewers to a faraway planet, Brass plans to escort them straight to the bedroom. He is preparing what he claims will be the world's first ever 3D pornographic feature.

Brass, now 76, remains best known for his sweaty 1979 epic Caligula, although he later accused producers of adding hardcore sex scenes to the movie without his consent. Yesterday he hinted that his latest project would be an overhaul of the earlier film. His intention, he said, was to "revisit an abandoned project about a Roman emperor that was ruined by Americans, and go from there". Production is due to start in May or June.

It remains to be seen whether Brass's dalliance with 3D technology will spark excitement in other adult film producers. Thus far the porn industry appears to be adopting a surprisingly coy approach to the new medium, scared off by the high production costs. Added to this is the fact that most pornography is produced for the home-entertainment market, where viewers will need 3D TVs in order to enjoy it behind closed doors. "We're very excited to do 3D production," Rob Smith, director of operations at the Hustler Video Group, said recently. "But we don't feel market penetration [of 3D TVs] has hit the level we need."

The sad news for Brass, meanwhile, is that 3D technology is not quite the virgin territory he thinks it is. Other pornographic film-makers have been there before him, with 1969's The Stewardesses widely credited as the first 3D adult movie. Shot on a budget of $100,000, this sensitive account of footloose cabin crew went on to earn a tumescent $27m from porn cinemas around the globe.