Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 will be filmed at MBS Media Campus
The deal puts the Academy Award winning director at the MBS Media Campus for his two highly anticipated sequels to Avatar, the highest grossing film of all time. Production for the sequels will continue to be on the cutting edge of motion picture technology utilizing the latest performance capture filming methods to create the Avatar universe.
As the most technologically advanced major production studio outside of Hollywood, the MBS Media Campus provides Cameron and Lightstorm full access to one of the most up-to-date and structurally advanced film and television production lots in the world. At the MBS Media Campus, film and television productions benefit from the unique campus-like atmosphere, proximity to the Southern California coastline and eco-friendly mandate. With its 360 Production concept, MBS Media Campus was designed to bring all of the service and resources needed for film and television production to a single location.
"The MBS Media Campus provides us with the technological infrastructure, complete array of production services and location near LAX that make the campus a perfect fit for our next two Avatar projects," said Jon Landau of Lightstorm Entertainment. "In addition, MBS shares our commitment to working in an environment where our production can be carbon neutral. All of us at Lightstorm are excited to begin the next chapter of Avatar with the MBS team."
In addition to being one of the most modern independent film production lots in the world, a major draw for Mr. Cameron was the MBS Media Campus' commitment to eco-friendly practices and sustainability. The lot has in place an aggressive water conservation program, eco-friendly paints and cleaning products, sustainable cafe and craft services practices and a number of programs to promote greener transportation by its employees.
"We have a long history with Jim, Jon and Lightstorm, and we are pleased to continue it here at the MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach." said Michael Moore, President of Raleigh Studios. "There is not another location in the world that matches what we have in Manhattan Beach. Whether it is for television or the biggest movies being made today, we believe we deliver a bit of Hollywood by the sea here at the MBS Media Campus. The state-of-the-art improvements we have made couldn't be put to a better use. And with two of the largest production companies headquartered on our lot, we have proven that MBS is a world class facility. We look forward to working with Jim and Lightstorm on the Avatar sequels, and to providing top notch service to one of the industry's greatest filmmakers."
Mr. Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment join another motion picture industry leader, Marvel Studios, whose headquarters is also located at the MBS Media Campus. Marvel filmed much of Iron Man 2 and Thor at the facility, and is currently in production on Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers. MBS Media Campus is also the headquarters for such television productions as CSI: Miami, 90210, America's Funniest Home Videos as well as a variety of television commercial, music video and other projects.
Built in 1998, the 22 acre MBS complex recently underwent a number of multimillion dollar upgrades, including the installation of a New York City street back lot, a state of the art 3D screening room, and an ADR studio with the latest in fiber optic technology. Additionally, the MBS Media Campus is home to re-designed and improved offices spaces which provide productions with direct access to the sound stages. The facility has also recruited Urban Beach Cafe to provide production catering and run the lot's onsite cafe. The upgrades have made MBS Media Campus the most modern independent studio lot in the world.
The MBS Media Campus showcases how film and television production has evolved. With 15 sound stages and an expansive campus-like setting, MBS Media Campus was designed to be a focal point for production, bringing all of the services and resources needed for film and television production to one location. It is called "360° Production," a turnkey menu of production services and resources for lighting and grip, rigging, truss, construction, stage materials, heavy equipment and catering all within arms' reach and instantly accessible. This has made MBS a popular base for some of the most successful film and television projects in the world.
MBS Media Campus features such onsite services as:
- Nine 18,000 square foot sound stages
- Five 25,000 square foot sound stages
- One brand new 10,000 square foot sound stage
- Olsesen Lighting - featuring state-of-the-art theatrical equipment
- Outdoor New York Street Scene
- Blue Room Post - up-to-the-minute technology for all post production services
- Hertz Entertainment Services - scissor lifts, condors, trucks, generators, etc...
- Branam Enterprises - flying systems, motors, track and truss
- MBS Studio Store - expendables
- MBS Construction - lumber and construction services
- Production Offices - highly creative environment with offices attached to stages
- Screening Room - a brand new, state-of-the-art screening room
- Onsite Amenities - Urban Beach Cafe and onsite concierge services
MBS Media Campus is a 21st century studio in a sublime setting and is one of the largest employers in Manhattan Beach, CA. The lot's location also provides the convenience of shooting close to home and the beautiful weather and eclectic environment of Southern California.
In the new world of media convergence and synergy, the MBS Media Campus is the answer to single-destination production for film, media and creative arts. With a complete portfolio of studio services and resources onsite, this is a unique, one-stop facility.
Steve Wiseman of CBRE represented Lightstorm in this transaction.
Avatar was released December 18th, 2009 and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, Laz Alonso. The film is directed by James Cameron.
Avatar 2 comes to theaters in 2014. The film is directed by James Cameron.
Avatar 3 comes to theaters in 2015. The film is directed by James Cameron.
Comments (19)
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Ryan Moran
sounds cool but 2014 or 15 thats a long time they should relase the 2nd in like 2013 then 3 in 2015
2 years agoby @nightwing18Flag
Worth5Bucks
@cupid oh gotcha
2 years agoby @mattbierwagenFlag
Nautical
Man that sounds awesome. i wish i could be apart of that.
2 years agoby @nautical05Flag
thedude-abides
@dan1 Oh, but Cameron's sleeping with natives in the Amazon. Remember? He's trying to get to know his characters, lmao.
2 years agoby @thedude-abidesFlag
skywise
wow that is a lot of soundstages!
2 years agoby @skywiseFlag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
@corey Yes, three is enough for any franchise, but let;s hope these two get good scripts, good story, and while I'm sure they will be visually epic, they don't disappoint. We all know what happened with At World's End. Assuming Cameron plans to release the second the year after and then we're gonna have to sit and see.
2 years agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Superman81
Yep I truly don't care about what's going to be another overhyped movie fueled by 3D and another horrible story. Only the nut jobs that spent half their salary on the first movie will be back for 2 and 3.
2 years agoby @superman81Flag
Dan
I see an article like this, and it confirms for me that the next installments will also be visually amazing, but that wasn't the aspect I was worried about. It's the story and character growth. That was the weakest part of Avatar, and I'm not seeing much mention of that getting an upgrade and being handled with care.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
CUPID
@mattbierwagen Dude, i was just referring to what you said about Cameron ability to write great stories cause thats one of the reason Avatar totally sucked (FOR ME) when it came to that.
2 years agoby @cupidFlag
Worth5Bucks
@cupid my opinion is that absolutely nothing was bad in that movie. The reason people thought this movie was lame is this: Avatar Theory- When 80% of the elements of a movie are fantastic and 20% of the elements are intermediately exceptional, the majority of the crowd will consider the exceptional as indecent and the film as mediocre. -thats from my water for elephants review cuz i thought that movie fell in to those lines but with chemistry and not story
2 years agoby @mattbierwagenFlag
CUPID
@mattbierwagen He better cause the first was just lame to me.
2 years agoby @cupidFlag
Worth5Bucks
I trust this movie will literally dominate the first both visually and story wise. Cameron has the ability to write great stories. Im sure hell bring out the big guns for the sequel.
2 years agoby @mattbierwagenFlag
Salem6777
damn it!
2 years agoby @Salem6777Flag
thrashnasty190
Honestly I'll watch a part 2 and 3 but I wasn't totally blown away by the first one, it's an alright film but good to know 2 and 3 are coming along I guess.
2 years agoby @thrashnasty190Flag
thedude-abides
@corey Yeah, it was on movieweb. Anyway, besides "taking it to the squids," your guess is as good as mine.
2 years agoby @thedude-abidesFlag
Corey W.
@thedude-abides really? Hmm....I look forward to see how production on this goes. I wanna hear a story for the sequel. Wonder what they'll do?
2 years agoby @coreyFlag
Corey W.
3 films is enough. I don't want this turning into Pirates of the Caribbean where we need 6 installments. Thats a bit too much. 3 is the perfect number for any movie franchise.
2 years agoby @coreyFlag
thedude-abides
Speak of the devil...
@corey I remember reading an article in which Cameron said he would focus on just the opposite after how disappointed fans were with the story in the first one.
2 years agoby @thedude-abidesFlag
Cheetoboy
Even though I honestly didn't read all of this(to damn long), I'm glad to know that judging by the most important parts I read that the Avatar sequels are progressing.
2 years agoby @cheetoboyFlag