Avatar 2

IvaBigWun · 14-01-2015 10:27pm #1

Cameron's absolute perfectionism strikes again

http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/james-cameron-ambitious-script-delays-second-avatar-film-2015011419#axzz3On4qWwZ6

The Associated Press (via Superhero Hype and 3 News) reports that James Cameron’s Avatar 2 has been delayed by a year from December 2016 to December 2017 to give the writers more time to work on the script. Cameron still plans to shoot Avatar 2-4 at the same time and release them a year apart.

He said: “There’s a layer of complexity in getting the story to work as a saga across three films that you don’t get when you’re making a stand-alone film. We’re writing three simultaneously. And we’ve done that so that everything tracks throughout the three films. We’re not just going to do one and then make up another one and another one after that and parallel with that, we’re doing all the design. So we’ve designed all the creatures and the environments. “We were probably a bit ambitious with [the film]. It took me six months to write the first and we’re writing three altogether.”

The films will star Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver. They will be produced by Cameron and Jon Landau through Lightstorm Entertainment. Cameron is writing the sequels with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. The 2009 movie is the highest-grossing film of all time with $2.782 billion worldwide.

gandalf · 14-01-2015 10:32pm

He should take all the time he can, anything to delay him releasing more ****e like the first film!

Frank O. Pinion · 14-01-2015 11:32pm

gandalf wrote: »

He should take all the time he can, anything to delay him releasing more ****e like the first film!

He just announced that he's delaying it another year after being zinged so bad there. Well done.

SherlockWatson · 14-01-2015 11:45pm

gandalf wrote: »

He should take all the time he can, anything to delay him releasing more ****e like the first film!

Yes I'm sure he'll listen to a random boards poster over the multi billions that he made.

pixelburp · 15-01-2015 12:19am

Hmm, seems like another lifetime ago news outlets were reporting of Pandora-related depression and the like; the breathless love for the film after release now seems equally hyperbolic. In retrospect, while entertaining in places, the white-guilt sanctimony makes the film a bit of a trudge to rewatch.

I'd actually forgotten about it until I spotted this news, it was never really a film that stayed with me, if you know what I mean. Big and splashy but nothing lasting or memorable. I miss the James Cameron that made Aliens and The Abyss, 'dem were films

Liam O · 15-01-2015 12:32am

It was one of my favourite cinema experiences of my life even if in retrospect the story wasn't up to much. I can't really watch it again at this stage but on the big screen it stood out as a really beautiful film.

red dave · 15-01-2015 12:35am

IvaBigWun wrote: »

Cameron's absolute perfectionism strikes again

http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/james-cameron-ambitious-script-delays-second-avatar-film-2015011419#axzz3On4qWwZ6

The films will star Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver.

I haven't watched it in a couple of years, but I thought her character died in the first one?

gandalf · 15-01-2015 9:48am

The original film was a rip off of Dances with Wolves based in space ffs!!!

Into The Blue · 15-01-2015 10:39am

gandalf wrote: »

The original film was a rip off of Dances with Wolves based in space ffs!!!

I thought it was meant to be a direct remake? Way to similar not to be..

To me it was like a film that was made by Apple.. Very over engineered, style over substance, one man's obsession for perfection, rehash of old ideas..

2smiggy · 15-01-2015 10:47am

i really enjoyed the first one too !! But not surprised it was delayed really. Trying to shoot 3 together was always going to run into some delays

.ak · 15-01-2015 10:51am

Wow. I am totally unexcited for this.

humanji · 15-01-2015 12:30pm

He didn't have writers for the first film, so why bother this time around?

I didn't hate the first one. It was a fantastic spectacle and an amazing technical feat, but everything else about it was pretty poor to the point that I just can't bring myself to watch it again. I may actually force myself, just to see how it's aged for me.

I can't get remotely interested in a sequel, and his planning parts 3 & 4 seems like he's just trolling everyone.

valoren · 15-01-2015 12:31pm

There's a script???

IvaBigWun · 15-01-2015 12:38pm

Just to add, I didnt like the first film either. I was just delivering some news

Take away the 3D effects of Avatar and you have a film that is probably the most over-hyped of all time.

.ak · 15-01-2015 3:02pm

humanji wrote: »

He didn't have writers for the first film, so why bother this time around?

I didn't hate the first one. It was a fantastic spectacle and an amazing technical feat, but everything else about it was pretty poor to the point that I just can't bring myself to watch it again. I may actually force myself, just to see how it's aged for me.

I can't get remotely interested in a sequel, and his planning parts 3 & 4 seems like he's just trolling everyone.

I actually bought it on blueray when the extended version came out. I remember enjoying it in the cinema for the visual feast that it was. But when you try re-watching it you find it very hard not to curl into a ball and slide off into a dream land hoping you'll come across a more interesting, engaging story.

Kiith · 15-01-2015 3:09pm

I enjoyed it when i watched it again recently. It's nowhere near the experience that it was in the cinema, but overall it's quite enjoyable. Although the added scenes in the directors cut version are almost all useless.

Adamantium · 04-06-2015 2:28am

I would imagine sitting in the pre-production with Cameron and his writers hashing out the scripts for 4 movies would be like joining the seventh ring of hell. I read somewhere that the bible or scripts jhe has are 5000 pages long in total.
It'd absolute insanity until the first paycheck starts rolling in 2019 or whenever............... almost worth the broken families and near suicide.

It's impressive/fascinating/entertaining to think about this production. The man has never lost yet, but that was stretching on just ONE insane film, not 3 at the same time

When you read all those back to back to back, you really start to get the impression James Cameron is an utter psycho with an ego the size of the Grand Canyon. But no one will tell him that which is why he's now shooting 3 films all back to back on a 3 year delay (and counting). And STILL working on the scripts for all of them...for a set of films thats been in production since the day after Avatar 1 passed the $2 billion mark.

I predict by the time Avatar 4 starts rolling by 202ish there will be a murder-suicide on the set between Cameron who at this point will probably be growing his fingernails extra long and become so isolated you can't get him out of his trailer for days at a time who now just pees in jars and a PA he will shoot before taking his own life when he delivers him coffee that burns his tongue and he finally loses it. And everyone will say they saw it coming years ago.

Theboinkmaster · 04-06-2015 7:57am

Don't care just want him to resolve his issues with twentieth century fox and release true lies and abyss on blu ray :mad:

Zubeneschamali · 04-06-2015 2:01pm

red dave wrote: »

I thought her character died in the first one?

Yes, but her soul got sucked into a magic tree first, so I suppose she can reappear whenever anyone else talks to the trees.

Stephen Lang reappearing is more of an issue...

2smiggy · 04-06-2015 4:06pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Stephen Lang reappearing is more of an issue...

Back as a cyborg of something mad ? It's been a while since I seen the film, but definitely died at the end of the first ?

Zubeneschamali · 04-06-2015 5:24pm

2smiggy wrote: »

Back as a cyborg of something mad ? It's been a while since I seen the film, but definitely died at the end of the first ?

I know, he could be the dead dudes twin brother!

don ramo · 05-06-2015 12:01am

Adamantium wrote: »

I would imagine sitting in the pre-production with Cameron and his writers hashing out the scripts for 4 movies would be like joining the seventh ring of hell. I read somewhere that the bible or scripts jhe has are 5000 pages long in total.
It'd absolute insanity until the first paycheck starts rolling in 2019 or whenever............... almost worth the broken families and near suicide.

It's impressive/fascinating/entertaining to think about this production. The man has never lost yet, but that was stretching on just ONE insane film, not 3 at the same time

When you read all those back to back to back, you really start to get the impression James Cameron is an utter psycho with an ego the size of the Grand Canyon. But no one will tell him that which is why he's now shooting 3 films all back to back on a 3 year delay (and counting). And STILL working on the scripts for all of them...for a set of films thats been in production since the day after Avatar 1 passed the $2 billion mark.

I predict by the time Avatar 4 starts rolling by 202ish there will be a murder-suicide on the set between Cameron who at this point will probably be growing his fingernails extra long and become so isolated you can't get him out of his trailer for days at a time who now just pees in jars and a PA he will shoot before taking his own life when he delivers him coffee that burns his tongue and he finally loses it. And everyone will say they saw it coming years ago.

Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies were done the exact same way,

05-06-2015 3:57pm

Just looked at Sigourney Weaver's IMDB page and it says that she's in Avatar 2, 3, and 4.

But she is dead dead in #1, right? I mean, I haven't seen it in a while, but that's the case.. right?

Sad Professor · 05-06-2015 4:46pm

The first film nicely set up Weaver’s potential role in the sequels. Probably as a manifestation of the tree, either physically or in dreams/visions to guide Worthington. Like Zubeneschamali said, Lang is a bigger issue. Hopefully Cameron won’t do a Matrix/Agent Smith and bring him back to life to be the main antagonist for another 3 films - but it wouldn’t surprise me.

pixelburp · 05-06-2015 4:58pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

The first film nicely set up Weaver’s potential role in the sequels. Probably as a manifestation of the tree, either physically or in dreams/visions to guide Worthington.[...]

Haha, I had totally forgot he was the 'lead'. Sam Worthington: 2009's Jai Courtney.

07-06-2015 4:28pm

pixelburp wrote: »

Haha, I had totally forgot he was the 'lead'. Sam Worthington: 2009's Jai Courtney.

Worthington, much like Courtney is an actor who really impresses in smaller roles. Worthington impresses in films like Texas Killing Fields, The Debt, Sabotage, Drift, Rogue and a few others as they are films which allow him to act. He's actually got great screen presence and can hold his own, often stealing many scenes. Courtney is the same, he's done a lot of tosh but when given a good script he does impress, he was excellent in Felony and while I've yet to see The Water Diviner or Unbroken, I've heard that he is damn good in both.

KilOit · 07-06-2015 5:58pm

It's a fun movie, brain at the door type. What's so different about it when you compare it with today's big budget films?

Decuc500 · 08-06-2015 8:57am

I just watched it again for the first time since I saw it in the cinema.
Whatever about problems with the story and script being clichéd, the last hour has some fantastic action sequences.
It’s still an impressive experience on a big television.

TerrorFirmer · 09-06-2015 11:56am

I really enjoyed Avatar, not the best film ever made but for sheer spectacle it was excellent, and the 3D was jaw dropping - really puts into perspective the majority of absolute muck post conversions they're calling 3D today. I've seen a few decent natively shot 3D movies, but none ever came close to Avatar.

Would look forward to Avatar 2.

Tefral · 09-06-2015 2:58pm

I often ask the people who say that they didn't like the movie whether they saw in the cinema or not. 90% of them say they haven't and that's the crux of it I think.

I saw it in the cinema and it was nearly 3 hours long if i remember and it felt like a half hour, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was the first time I saw a 3D movie that looked like that. As a visual spectacle its second to none.

The story line most certainly had holes and it wasn't original but overall I have to say that wasnt enough to drag it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Zubeneschamali · 09-06-2015 3:08pm

cronin_j wrote: »

The story line most certainly had holes and it wasn't original but overall I have to say that wasnt enough to drag it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it, too, but it is fair to say that it could have been a lot better with a real plot.

Into The Blue · 09-06-2015 7:16pm

Seeing as it's the fourth or fifth time the same story has been rehashed, it obviously resonates with punters enough to keep them coming back..
But I'd be one of the 10% who saw it in the cinema prior to knowing the plot and was very underwhelmed.
Not saying it's a bad film, it's no sharknado, but definitely not as good as it's made out to be.

Sabre0001 · 03-02-2017 11:23am

Now that Cameron has finished the script for Avatar 5 (and all those in between), filming will soon start on Avatar 2. The original was a box office monster, but what will the expectations be for future outings? It certainly looked amazing, but the film itself wasn't anything particularly special (imo).

Will be interesting to see how the franchise pans out with everything so prepared. Just hoping that they don't rely on cliffhanger endings to get people back in for the next installment.

The Daily Beast wrote:

“The thing is, my focus isn’t on Avatar 2. My focus is on Avatar 2, 3, 4, and 5 equally. That’s exactly how I’m approaching it. They’ve all been developed equally. I’ve just finished the script to Avatar 5. I’m now starting the process of active prep. I’ll be working with the actors in the capture volume in August, so I’m booked in production every day between now and then.

Link to Independent.co.uk article which offers a little more commentary rather than a straight up interview.

Tefral · 03-02-2017 11:28am

It was the first film in years where when i saw it in 3D i was blown away. The story line was crap (ish) but who cares when it was such a visual spectacle

SnakePlissken · 03-02-2017 11:44am

It was an incredible spectacle watching in 3D but it's not a film I've ever wanted to revisit at home, it reminds me somewhat of Peter Jackson's King Kong, a financial and critical success that has left absolutely zero cultural footprint.

Lorelli! · 03-02-2017 12:24pm

SnakePlissken wrote: »

It was an incredible spectacle watching in 3D but it's not a film I've ever wanted to revisit at home,.

I was just thinking that the other day. I did like it but I can't imagine sitting and watching it again.

I've seen it compared to Apocalypto before but for me, Avatar was missing something or maybe just seemed to be trying to hard, I don't know.

TerrorFirmer · 03-02-2017 2:37pm

It was an astounding example of how much 3D technology has to offer the medium of film - only for studios to utterly destroy it with half-baked, lazy, largely poor post production '3D' movies.

I wonder will the sequels all be 3D? I'd be happy to see them in 3D if so, though I actively avoid all 3D films in the cinema and have done for years as they're largely garbage and usually add little to nothing (and often detract with murky, dark visuals in some cases).

Avatar isn't a brilliant film in its own right (though it's quite good) but as a cinematic experience in 3D it was mind blowing.

sky88 · 03-02-2017 3:12pm

Didnt watch it in the cinema but watched it at home and thought it was one of the worst films ive ever seen.

from what ive heard its very much a cinema film.

kunst nugget · 03-02-2017 3:15pm

Lorelli! wrote: »

I was just thinking that the other day. I did like it but I can't imagine sitting and watching it again.

I saw it again there recently. I enjoyed it in the cinema but it is absolute scutter when you're watching it on your TV at home. Unobtainium… ffs.

Digital Solitude · 03-02-2017 3:18pm

I watched the first one recently, I genuinely thought it was a mockbuster version, the first 30 minutes or so are just daft and it's terrible from there on.

I'd agree it's more of a cinema experience than a good film, I'd expect the same from this, daft story, cliches everywhere but technically and visually marvellous.

Joeface · 03-02-2017 3:26pm

This a James Cameron self love fest.

No one can argue that Avatar IS in 3D a visual spectacle in all its wonder but it stops at that . Fern Gully assaulted by the smurfs is what the story boiled down to . This has happened a lot of directors , they start out making good movies (Alien , Terminator , The Abyss ) they say they would love to do more if the technology was available....they get it and they spend more time playing with the tech than actually making a movie worth looking at.

South Park Describes him in his own words best
"James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Cameron is James Cameron!"

I will probably watch them at some point ....if he some how pulled a decent story or plot I could be persuaded to part with my money but for now Its in the "when it arrives on Film4" category

Oafley Jones · 03-02-2017 10:14pm

LG and Sony are exiting the 3D tv business this year, leaving exactly zero manufactures. As poor a movie as Avatar was, I've got to give Cameron credit for giving me one of the few decent (technical) experiences of the format.

brevity · 03-02-2017 10:30pm

It's a daunting task to start filming on 4 movies at the same time, especially with the complicated special effects and the fact the 3D isn't exactly the darling of the cinema world.

I enjoyed Avatar in the cinema. It was an incredible experience but it doesn't hold up to repeated viewing.

Seems like a risk to film four more...

Hande hoche! · 03-02-2017 10:33pm

Given the rake of money the first one made, surprised it took so long for filming to start.

AMKC · 03-02-2017 11:10pm

Apocalypto= One of the most overrated films of the last 20years.

LG and Sony are exiting the 3D tv business this year, leaving exactly zero manufactures.

Great to hear that it was only as silly expensive gimmick anyway.

B.A._Baracus · 03-02-2017 11:15pm

How are they just filming it now? :pac:
It was announced years ago and it was meant to originally come out soon before it was pushed back. Surely it must mean filming the live action parts now and most of the cgi work is done?

Sad Professor · 04-02-2017 12:47am

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

How are they just filming it now? :pac:
It was announced years ago and it was meant to originally come out soon before it was pushed back. Surely it must mean filming the live action parts now and most of the cgi work is done?

I don’t think so. They only just finished the writing and designing and with the release date almost 2 years away I doubt they’ve done any of the CGI yet.

humanji · 04-02-2017 1:39am

Hande hoche! wrote: »

Given the rake of money the first one made, surprised it took so long for filming to start.

With his previous successes Cameron has enough money to last many lifetimes, so he has the luxury of not having to give a crap as his films will be made when he wants them made. I don't rate him much as a director, but I do admire his love of technology and trying to use it to create amazing experiences. His Avatar and Battle Angel films may flop, but I've little doubt that they'll look impressive at least.

Wedwood · 04-02-2017 11:40am

Just on the home 3D thing. When I saw Avatar in the cinema, I loved the 3D and thought you could never replicate that at home.

I bought the 'active' 3D TV, the horrendously expensive glasses and loads of 3D BluRays and truth be told was fairly underwhelmed with the result. Apart from screen size issue which doesn't immerse you as much, the 'active' 3D suffers from regular crosstalk and ghosting.

I tried a friend's 'passive' 3DTV which uses the cinema glasses and was underwhelmed as it cuts the 1080p resolution by 50%.

I was about to give up on home 3D, when I decided to upgrade my projector to a 1080p which happened to also have 3D. I bought a cheap pair of glasses on the internet to give it a try and WOW !!!. I can honestly say it's a better experience than the cinema. Brighter 1080p picture, better contrast/ colour and zero crosstalk. (And the complete set up cost less than half what I spent on the 3DTV alone)

It's just a pity that projectors are such a niche market they probably won't be enough to keep 3D Bluray going.

TerrorFirmer · 04-02-2017 11:57am

I bought a really expensive 3D TV a good few years ago when 3D was still a fairly big talking point. Avatar looked incredible on it, but the problem was, very little else did. The only other movie that stood out to me as making good use of the technology was The Final Destination.

I think the hands down worst '3D' movie ever was Clash of the Titans. You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd accidentally put on the 2D version. It was efforts like that and a great many others like it that destroyed the credibility of the technology.

Sad Professor · 11-03-2017 1:54pm

Has been delayed again. Currently no release date but definitely not 2018.

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2017/03/09/james-cameron-on-the-lure-of-atlantis-and-making-avatar-2-3-4-and-5.html

Avatar 2

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