After the success of Final Destination 3, which was initially planned to be in 3-D,[4] Eric Bress wrote a script, which impressed producer Craig Perry and New Line Cinema enough to green-light a fourth installment. James Wong  was on board to direct, but because of scheduling conflicts, he decided to drop out. Consequently, the studio executives opted for David R. Ellis to return because of his work on Final Destination 2, who personally accepted because of the 3-D.[5]  For the 3-D, Perry said that he wanted it to add depth to the film instead of just "something pop[ping] out at the audience every four minutes.