More than a thousand people have worked on it, at a cost in excess of $300 million, and it represents digital filmmaking's bleeding edge. Cameron wrote the treatment for it in 1995 as a way to push his digital-production company to its limits. The movie pioneers two unrelated technologies--e-motion capture, which uses images from tiny cameras rigged to actors' heads to replicate their expressions, and digital 3D.
The film is set in the future, and most of the action takes place on a mythical planet, Pandora. The actors work in an empty studio; Pandora's lush jungle-aquatic environment is computer-generated in New Zealand by Jackson's special-effects company, Weta Digital, and added later.
I couldn't tell what was real and what was animated--even knowing that the 9-ft.-tall blue, dappled dude couldn't possibly be real. The scenes were so startling and absorbing that the following morning, I had the peculiar sensation of wanting to return there, as if Pandora were real.
The film is set in the future, and most of the action takes place on a mythical planet, Pandora. The actors work in an empty studio; Pandora's lush jungle-aquatic environment is computer-generated in New Zealand by Jackson's special-effects company, Weta Digital, and added later.
I couldn't tell what was real and what was animated--even knowing that the 9-ft.-tall blue, dappled dude couldn't possibly be real. The scenes were so startling and absorbing that the following morning, I had the peculiar sensation of wanting to return there, as if Pandora were real.
The sci-fi action-adventure stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Peter Mensah, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi, Stephen Lang and Matt Gerald.
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.
Comments (35)
To leave a comment, please sign in or use
Facebook or Twitter
Shelley
Look forward to a trailer, it sounds like it is going to be insane.
3 years agoby @shelleyFlag
ollie-styrene
Is this whole Avatar story based upon a game??? I might be mistaken but, isn`t there a game called just that??
Anyway, it sounds cool.. But, its too early for a trailer. still 9 months with post production on this one.. some pics would be great though..
3 years agoby @ollie-styreneFlag
ShadowfoxSC
sounds like its going to be awesome but u would think a teaser or new poster would surface by now.
3 years agoby @shadowscFlag
Transformers89
This sounds really cool. I hope the 300+ budget is worth the money.
3 years agoby @transformers89Flag
AnnoyingFilmCritic
This has tons of potential for epic coolness and for colossal failure...could Avatar be Cameron's Waterworld/Kevin Costner's huge budgted box office failure?
3 years agoby @annoyingfilmcriticFlag
Deoxy
Seanac, your an idiot.
3 years agoby @deoxyFlag
Shadow Of The Day
Great.
3 years agoby @asifFlag
J.A.Ottley.Writer / Director
Just because it has a mad budget doesn't mean it is going to be a mega blockbuster, JC has been talking of this film for ages over a decade, but he apparently didn't have the technology.
This is slated to be the first full-length live 3D Sci-Fi Action film.
A lot of people are actually aware of this film to tell the truth, and because its been so long in anticipation, people have actually lost interest.
But according to what i've heard the film will only be released in 3D, which if it does, then were looking at a mega failure, because there isn't a lot of cinemas yet with 3D screens yet, which is one of the main reasons this film was delayed by nearly a year, so they could get them.
3 years agoby @chronicFlag
Seanac
If you ask me, Im sick of this whole CGI, 3D bullsh*t. Cameron needs to grab his balls and make a REAL movie. This is just the typical, "Let me try and and make something different so that if it fails, people won't say I lost it, I was just experimenting." And as for that whole, "I had the treatment for this since '95." Please. Yeah right. Just like Lucas had those first three balls of sh*t thought out before Episode 4. Gimme a break. Cameron's just so scared that he can never top Titanic, that's why he hasn't made a real movie in decade. P*ssy.
3 years agoby @seanacFlag
CB Junior
thats insane...$300 million budget. Thats as much as Pirates 3. This should be a mega blockbuster
3 years agoby @cbjuniorFlag
PypeBomb
This will be the sh*t...I can't wait.
3 years agoby @pypebombFlag
SMRTALEC
this movie is going to blow EVERYONES minds!!! and most ppl dont even know that its coming. its gonna hit them hard and i cant wait for everyone to go nuts over this
3 years agoby @smrtalecFlag
killahmovieisbak
i wanna see this
3 years agoby @killahmovieisbakFlag
Lock and Stock
I'm looking forward to this, James Cameron is brilliant.
3 years agoby @m-man360Flag
J.A.Ottley.Writer / Director
I ain't anticipating this film, i've been waiting for this film for nearly a f*cking decade of hearing JC talk about, it but now its on the way i've lost complete interest.
JC give me a trailer or a teaser, i wnat to gain interest in this film again.
I need a trailer damn it, not concpet art or more talk...trailer.
And then bring me Battle Angel Alita. Yeah
Also come one it's WETA Digital the most amazing SFX company in the world.
3 years agoby @chronicFlag
ikilledbill2wice
for 300 mil, this better have some new ground-breaking footage
3 years agoby @ikilledbill2wiceFlag
DasBoot
wow thats a big budget
3 years agoby @dasbootFlag
moviedirector88
Reading about what seems like this amazing "I can see right in front of me" technology sounds freaking awesome.
Avatar will probably be a extremly great scifi movie! :D
3 years agoby @moviedirector88Flag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Yeah, Cameron did Aliens.
The kick ass Ridley Scott did Alien. ;)
3 years agoby @narratorFlag
joekerr2e
300mil? I wouldn't worry about JC spending money... last time he went overboard with spending, he made the top grossing movie of all time. Granted, I can't stand Titanic, but it's a true statement. I'd worry less about him spending it then I do congress.
I'm uber hyped about this movie. Can't wait until we get a first look.
3 years agoby @joekerr2eFlag
T.Clark
Cameron didn't do Alien
3 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
GK
Pretty cool....
3 years agoby @indianajonesFlag
Love & Napalm
I was watching some of the digital 3-D at the Tokyo Anime Fair today and I have to confess to it's awesomeness. It's nothing like the tradional 3-D. If this film contains anything near as good as what I saw it's going to be something very special. I believe Tin Tin will be shot the same way.
3 years agoby @zomb13Flag
Atreus
For the love of donuts, where is the trailer? I want to see this!
Even though the plot synopsis does not thrill me, I want to see this movie. Why? Because it is made by James Cameron. This is the guy who brought us Terminators 1&2, Alien, Aliens, and Titanic. Think about it - those are some of the most influential movies of our generation. If he has poured this much love into the movie, then I am confident it is going to rock my socks off.
Totally paying extra to see it in 3D.
3 years agoby @atreusFlag
Josebond007
Im really not interested on this one, LOOKS TOO SCI-FI
3 years agoby @josebond007Flag
Diaigma
300 Mil??? Geez, Cameron. You really know how to break a studio's bank :P Sucks to you if it bombs, but I like Sci-Fi so I'm there.
3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
pourya13
so if this film is so huge ,why camero n dont give pic or teaser or ...to make people ready?
i hope its nice movie.
3 years agoby @pourya13Flag
T.Clark
The description makes it sound pretty epic. I hope it's not a let-down
3 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
black-moon
..Soo..hungry for...Avatar...
..Then...The last...airbender....
3 years agoby @black-moonFlag
Shelley
This is going to be great.
3 years agoby @shelleyFlag