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[Wollan]

Sci-fi movie epic releasing December 18th

Avatar is set during the 22nd century on a small moon called Pandora, which orbits a gas giant, and is inhabited by the tribal Na'vi, ten foot blue humanoids that are peaceful unless attacked. Humans cannot breathe Pandoran air, so they genetically engineer human/Na'vi hybrids known as Avatars that can be controlled via a mental link. A paralyzed Marine named Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) volunteers to exist as an Avatar on Pandora. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.

IMDB info page

July 28th:

• Long, detailed interview with James Cameron

July 25th:

• MovieCityNews exclusive Cameron video interview

• James Cameron / Peter Jackson QA panel @ Marketsaw (full event)

• James Cameron Interview post-panel

• Art poster

• Augmented merchandise

July 23rd (Avatar unveiling):

• http://www.avatarmovie.com/
Music, quick look at Na'vi face, info.

• Official Avatar Twitter launched!

• On August 21st you can watch 15min FREE at most IMAX cinemas and some select 3D cinemas worldwide (dubbed 'Avatar day').
A Trailer will also be released Online as well as for cinemas in all variants. In addition the Ubisoft game trailer will also be released on that day.
Everything will happen August 21st.
Press Release for 'Avatar day'

• Presentation (minus film footage):

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gre...rketsaw.blogspot.com/&feature=player_embedded
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV9n...rketsaw.blogspot.com/&feature=player_embedded
Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrXA...rketsaw.blogspot.com/&feature=player_embedded
Part 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ayf...rketsaw.blogspot.com/&feature=player_embedded

• NeoGAF got first Tweet impressions on page 15:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368960&page=15

• G4 Liveblog log:
http://g4tv.com/comiccon2009/pressconference/20th-century-fox-and-james-cameron-present-avatar/29/

• FirstShowing.Net Liveblog log:
http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/07/23/comic-con-2009-live-james-cameron-presents-avatar/

• Empire Online Impressions

• Quint @ Aicn

• Harry @ Aicn

• Na'vi faces

• Na'vi face HD

July 22nd:

• First screen of Comic-Con Floor

• 'Stugg' alien from Weta (not confirmed Avatar yet)
http://jamescamerononline.com/

July 21st:

• YouTube now supports stereoscopic 3D video

*Thread approved by Scullibundo & duckroll
This original post will be updated with the news that stream in this week
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Keywords:
Seeing the world through someone else's eyes
The movie to make stereoscopic 3D
In planning for the last fourteen years and in production for the last four
Had to wait for cinema technology to catch up with the vision
Effects by Weta Digital
Story before fx, 2D version for non-upgraded cinemas


Impressions from 24min presentation in Amsterdam (June)

“3-D until now has been used as a gimmick... ...It took my breath away. I thought–just like you guys–that I’ve seen it all with Gollum, or The Hulk, but Cameron has done it again. These creatures seem so real, that within minutes you forget you’re watching an enormous and very blue CGI character. Even the eyes are totally convincing. The characters have real personalities and a soul... ...How the hell is it possible that I never once felt like I’ve been watching a moviewhere almost everything comes out of a computer?” … “The effects are in a league of their own. After some disappointing or even pointless 3-D movies, Avatar maybe the first movie where 3-D is properly utilized.”

“stunning, literally jawdropping. Amazing visuals unlike any before seen, with incredible detail.” … “CGI was photorealistic, characters look really real. Believe the hype, this movie will be massive!”

“The clips were amazing” … “You will NOT believe the detail.” … “The world outside is amazing. It all lives, breathes and works... ...so photorealistic you don’t want to think it’s CGI. You believe this world from the get-go. It’s there, you don’t need to believe it because you will experience it.”

“It’s nothing you can imagine, it’s real. Cameron made a new planet and took a cam there.” … “THIS WILL CHANGE MOVIES FOREVER."

Avatar is James Cameron's return to Sci-fi after an eighteen year hiatus.
A legend when it comes to combining storytelling with action and ground breaking effects, he will once again create a new cinematic milestone.

His resume:
Terminator - 1984
Aliens - 1986
The Abyss - 1989
Terminator 2 - 1991
True Lies - 1993
Titanic - 1997
(32 Oscar nominations, majority won).

Cameron showing the machines that let humans transfer their minds to the Avatar bodies

Jim directing Sam Worthington (lead actor)

Comic-Con banner:

Clearer version

Art:

Avatar avatar:

Actors: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, CCH Pounder, Stephen Lang
Music: James Horner
Visuals: Stan Winston(R.I.P), Ryan Church, Weta Digital

NOTICE: Remember to thoroughly spoiler tag and to include warnings when discussing the full script (old or new).

 

[Snaku]

:lol

 

[Costanza]

Sculli APPROVED you posting this?!

 

[Veidt]

approved? awesome.

 

[Roders5]

Why

Edit: Oh, you got approval, carry on

 

[The Shape]

I wish someone could stop feeding the sci fi trolls and give Whedon the money needed to complete the Firefly story while all of the cast are still young and alive enough to make it not look weird.

EDIT: General post, not directed at Cameron at all.

 

[Futureman]

I never would have guessed he directed "True Lies."

 

[bud]

i'm still kinda looking forward to this, but the hype's died down considerably for me--mainly because of the lack of any real news.

that blue chick isn't really helping, either.

 

[critch]

I wish someone could stop feeding the sci fi trolls and give Whedon the money needed to complete the Firefly story while all of the cast are still young and alive enough to make it not look weird.

EDIT: General post, not directed at Cameron at all.

Judging from ratings and box office, nobody wanted anything more from Serenity/Firefly.

I think this is gonna disappoint pretty much across the board, but it's going to outgross the combined efforts of every Whedon produced work handily.

 

[Ceres]

Couldn't this info just go into the Avatar hype thread?

 

[Wollan]

i'm still kinda looking forward to this, but the hype's died down considerably for me. that blue chick isn't really helping, either.

The hype will kick into gear in a major way in the next 36 hours.

I would be great if we could get impressions from NeoGaffers attending the event.

 

[Koodo]

So, can we actually expect an online trailer tomorrow or sometime this week?

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

Couldn't this info just go into the Avatar hype thread?

Is there even any info in the Avatar hype thread?

 

[Zeliard]

I never would have guessed he directed "True Lies."

Got a problem with True Lies, punk?

 

[Veidt]

The hype will kick into gear in a major way in the next 36 hours.

I would be great if we could get impressions from NeoGaffers attending the event.

I hope you're right and they put up the trailer, online.

 

[Gary Whitta]

We're up to three threads now? :lol

 

[Costanza]

Is there even any info in the Avatar hype thread?

:lol

 

[Chinner]

plz tell me they found a role for michael biehn

 

[kaching]

but it's going to outgross the combined efforts of every Whedon produced work handily.

That would be good, considering it's going to cost more than all of Whedon's work as well.

 

[Ceres]

Is there even any info in the Avatar hype thread?

Which is why it'd be perfect to finally put that thread to use. I feel like the more Avatar threads that get made, the more my interest disappears. Luckily Sculli stopped with his weekly blog updates on who's wearing an Avatar t-shirt this week in the trailer that never appeared thread.

We're up to three threads now? :lol

Three? You should take a look at threads made by Sculli.


Edit: And I hope he does nothing more than go on a 40 minute tangent about Avatar without showing any footage just like at E3.

 

[The Shape]

Judging from ratings and box office, nobody wanted anything more from Serenity/Firefly.

I think this is gonna disappoint pretty much across the board, but it's going to outgross the combined efforts of every Whedon produced work handily.

I still want more Firefly dammit :c

 

[bud]

Is there even any info in the Avatar hype thread?

yeah. sculli's friend who works at weta says it looks, and i quote, ''awesome.''

 

[ZeoVGM]

I almost want this movie to bomb and I know nothing about it.

 

[rezuth]

I never would have guessed he directed "True Lies."

He did? :lol

 

[Solo]

We need more Avatar threads. I'm calling dibs on International Teaser #2C Hype Thread right now.

 

[Wollan]

That would be good, considering it's going to cost more than all of Whedon's work as well.

Avatar seems to be hovering around a 240-300m$ budget right now.
Movie length should be around 2.5 hours.

 

[The Librarian]

Scullibundo approved? Awesome.

I want to see a trailer ASAP.

 

[Veidt]

I almost want this movie to bomb and I know nothing about it.

:lol

Spoiler

I want trailer. So I can finally make up my mind up.

 

[Lord Error]

First time I've seen that first picture. Nice!

 

[LaneDS]

Avatar seems to be hovering around a 240-300m$ budget right now.
Movie length should be around 2.5 hours.

Holy shit at that budget. Would that make it the most expensive production ever?

Edit: Wikipedia says no, but it's close if not tops if it hits $300 million.

 

[critch]

I am gonna laugh so hard if they don't release a damn thing for people that aren't at Comic-Con. The problem that Avatar has right now is that there is NO hype outside of the hardcore internet geeks, and even then they have had to search out the information. Nobody else knows that it is coming. If they don't start cranking it up they're going to have a real problem. We've got trailers for the movie a lot of people are going to mistake this for ("The Last Airbender") out already, and that's not out until July '10!

There is also the chance that they don't want people to know a whole lot about it. I've read the scriptment, and I understand that. Outside of the supposedly awesome effects, the story is Dances with Wolves with The Spirits Within with a dash of Pocahontas, and then the two furries fuck in the forest.

Still waiting on Cameron to put up or shut up. Maybe tomorrow is the day.

 

[Max]

I always thought this was a live action Avatar: The Last Airbender. Then I remembered M. Night was doing that, and now i'm even more confused about this movie.

 

[gdt]

Holy shit at that budget. Would that make it the most expensive production ever?

IIRC it's POTC 3.

 

[LaneDS]

IIRC it's POTC 3.

Yeah, just looked it up and that's apparently tops, adjusted for inflation or not. Not sure where all the money went on that one.

 

[Solo]

Still waiting on Cameron to put up or shut up. Maybe tomorrow is the day.

God, do you ever stop? If you're not championing Transformers 2, you're trying to tear down the guy who brought us Terminator, The Abyss, True Lies, Aliens, etc. Its like you're a beacon for all things wrong.

 

[Veidt]

Yeah, just looked it up and that's apparently tops, adjusted for inflation or not. Not sure where all the money went on that one.

Johnny Depp I reckon:

Coming in second on the list is Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp, an actor who is known to vacillate between commercial work and artier fare. He still managed to pull down $72 million this year.

No exact number, but atleast half of that is form POTC.
Just incase anyone was wondering. The highest paid actor is Will Smith. He deserves the position in my opinion, his name can drag people to cinemas like crazy. Although, I still believe actors get paid too much.

 

[KillJade]

My most wanted film of 2009.

I already know I want to see it, so the question becomes, do I watch the trailer and ruin something for myself, or go in blind and be blown away in December?

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

Yeah, just looked it up and that's apparently tops, adjusted for inflation or not. Not sure where all the money went on that one.

Wasn't it because it was filmed back to back with potc2?

 

[Wollan]

I'm not sure if this is the case anymore but with LOTR it was a huge budget benefit having the main production in New Zealand because of taxes and what not. Maybe they have the same benefits with Avatar (and I doubt the actor budget is nearly the same though Sigourney Weaver probably cost)?

 

[gdt]

Wasn't it because it was filmed back to back with potc2?

That was part of the reasoning IIRC.





For my money, either AVATAR or LOST will take my prize this year.

 

[LaneDS]

Wasn't it because it was filmed back to back with potc2?

I would think each movie would have an individual budget listing, but that would make a lot more sense. None of the three movies are bad looking by any means, but I can't imagine why the third would end up as the most costly film of all time.

 

[Chiggs]

Nice thread, Wollan. And you're right about the hype kicking in shortly. Should be fun.

 

[Veidt]

I'm not sure if this is the case anymore but with LOTR it was a huge budget benefit having the main production in New Zealand because of taxes and what not. Maybe they had the same benefits with Avatar (and I doubt the actor budget is nearly the same though Sigourney Weaver probably has a steep price)?

Yeah, I figure it that way too.

 

[Koodo]

Wasn't it because it was filmed back to back with potc2?

I think POTC2 is listed with a separate budget of about 200ish million?

Which would mean they spent upwards of $500 million on the last two movies and still unable to churn out a quality product. At least they got profit...

Spoiler

I have faith in Cameron to do the right thing

 

[Tim the Wiz]

Still waiting on Cameron to put up or shut up. Maybe tomorrow is the day.

Yeah, that hack has a lot to prove!

Spoiler

:rolleyes

 

[critch]

God, do you ever stop? If you're not championing Transformers 2, you're trying to tear down the guy who brought us Terminator, The Abyss, True Lies, Aliens, etc. Its like you're a beacon for all things wrong.

When the hell did I champion Transformers 2? Only thing i've said about that is that it's going to hit 400 and would shut up all the haters who think that somehow it's a failure. I liked it but it's not my favorite movie of even the past month.

Cameron hasn't made a movie in a decade. Everything that has been talked about for Avatar reminds me very much of the hype for Episode One, which is OMG EFFECTS SO AMAZING and the story is shit. Cameron has done great movies, though I think his people directing takes a back seat to his action directing, just like Lucas. So yeah, we've been here before, lets see if it turns out any different. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and Cameron's been out of the game for a long time.

I also don't like the way he's trying to push 3D and Mo-cap as this great amazing way we should be doing movies from now on. Every 3D movie that has been produced is gimmicky and wears out it's welcome quickly. Mo-Cap movies Polar Express and Beowulf look like crap. And a two and a half hour 'epic' of them together makes my head hurt.

People have been saying this was going to hit 400-500 million for a year with nothing other than it's name. I think they're wrong just like they were wrong with how Star Trek was going to perform. The audience for a movie like this, especially in the Christmas season, does not exist, and to say it's going to get anywhere close to Titanic is insanity.

If I'm wrong, I'll say so, but don't slam my opinions when yours are just as suspect.

 

[Razorback]

I am fully expecting this to be the most amazing movie ever made, but I see where the doubters are coming from, they need to see it to believe it.

Aside from the comments from the few that have seen glimpses of it, the sole reason I believe it will be beyond everything else is the director. He embodies all that I love about story telling and science fiction.

But my faith is not blind, there is still a chance he may have gone senile like George Lucas in the last decade, but all signs point to otherwise. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[LQX]

I am gonna laugh so hard if they don't release a damn thing for people that aren't at Comic-Con. The problem that Avatar has right now is that there is NO hype outside of the hardcore internet geeks, and even then they have had to search out the information. Nobody else knows that it is coming. If they don't start cranking it up they're going to have a real problem. We've got trailers for the movie a lot of people are going to mistake this for ("The Last Airbender") out already, and that's not out until July '10!

There is also the chance that they don't want people to know a whole lot about it. I've read the scriptment, and I understand that. Outside of the supposedly awesome effects, the story is Dances with Wolves with The Spirits Within with a dash of Pocahontas, and then the two furries fuck in the forest.

Still waiting on Cameron to put up or shut up. Maybe tomorrow is the day.

Are you even interested in this movie? At this point you really have to go out of your way to find threads like this to know about this movie. The hype/promotion has not yet kicked in, not even a trailer. So why so down on it when it has not even had a its public unveiling yet?

 

[Wollan]

there is still a chance he may have gone senile like George Lucas in the last decade, but all signs point to otherwise. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

That dude shows more energy than I will ever have. He works in the dirt, he's strict, he doesn't stop working when eating..etc..etc. There was a comment from him not long ago that he simply wasn't happy if he didn't end his work days bruised and exhausted. His big movie hiatus alone demonstrates his persona where has spent all his time doing submarine explorations and oceanic activities.

 

[G-Fex]

Ok i'm game, I'll definitely check out the trailer.