Avatar bumped up to 4 sequels - begins film production
PostPosted:Thu Apr 14, 2016 8:03 pm
I know James Cameron and Avatar aren't very popular around here, but I really enjoyed the first movie!
It's a little crazy considering how long Cameron usually takes on a movie, it was something like 7 years between the end of Dark Angel and the first Avatar. His earlier movies were usually about 2-3 years apart.
Now 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023 we're seeing films that will probably be about 2.5 to 3h in length.
While on that note, it's not going to be a big continuous plot like The Hobbit. They're all going to be standalone films that are part of a saga that presumably take place in the same solar system as the Na'Vi planet; at least, that's what earlier details indicated.
From what I gather, the process involved a lot of character and world design. The scripts were written first as two films, then split into a trilogy, then they designed the locations, factions, and characters. Then they re-wrote the scripts to reflect the designs, and ended up with the need for a fourth story.
They are setting up to begin filming this month in New Zealand. Initial budget was estimated at 415 billion in 2013, then in 2014 it was reported to be at 1 billion for the planned trilogy, so presumably higher than that now. Considering James Cameron has been the reigning box office champion for the past 19 years, he has no need to prove he's worth every penny.
It's a little crazy considering how long Cameron usually takes on a movie, it was something like 7 years between the end of Dark Angel and the first Avatar. His earlier movies were usually about 2-3 years apart.
Now 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023 we're seeing films that will probably be about 2.5 to 3h in length.
While on that note, it's not going to be a big continuous plot like The Hobbit. They're all going to be standalone films that are part of a saga that presumably take place in the same solar system as the Na'Vi planet; at least, that's what earlier details indicated.
From what I gather, the process involved a lot of character and world design. The scripts were written first as two films, then split into a trilogy, then they designed the locations, factions, and characters. Then they re-wrote the scripts to reflect the designs, and ended up with the need for a fourth story.
They are setting up to begin filming this month in New Zealand. Initial budget was estimated at 415 billion in 2013, then in 2014 it was reported to be at 1 billion for the planned trilogy, so presumably higher than that now. Considering James Cameron has been the reigning box office champion for the past 19 years, he has no need to prove he's worth every penny.
The filmmaker announced that there will be four "Avatar" sequels, not the previously planned three. "We have decided to embark on a truly massive cinematic process," he said.
Cameron said as he was planning the three sequels, he found it limiting. "We began to bump up against the limitations for our art form," he said, explaining that he decided he would need more installments to tell the whole story.
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Cameron said each of the four sequels will be able to stand alone, but will together create a saga. His goal is to release "Avatar 2" at Christmas 2018 and then a new film in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
"I've been working the last couple of years with a team of four top screenwriters," he said, "to design the world of 'Avatar' going forward: The characters, the creatures, the environment, the new cultures.
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"So far, the art I'm seeing, is in pure imagination, really far beyond the first film," he added. "It's going to be a true epic saga."
The original 2009 film earned $2.8 billion worldwide.
Cameron also spoke at length in support of the theatrical experience.
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"So together, we're going to continue to make this industry the greatest show on earth. That's what we do," he said to hearty applause.
Cameron also slammed the Screening Room, saying, "I think it's absolutely essential for movies to be offered exclusively in theaters on their initial release."
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