Sunday, December 26, 2010

James Cameron gifts cars to Avatar cast


Filmmaker James Cameron has gifted a car to each of the cast member of his blockbuster film Avatar.

Cameron and producer Jon Landau have bought 11 Toyota Prius, one for each of the movie's principal actors to thank them after record-breaking box office earnings and massive DVD sales of the popular sci-fi film, reports contactmusic.com.

However, the Avatar actors are not the only stars to be gifted with expensive presents this year. Actor Adam Sandler thanked the cast of his successful summer (10) comedy Grown-Ups by handing out luxury Maserati vehicles.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Sigourney Weaver On Avatar Sequel: My Character “Changed”


The fate of Sigourney Weaver’s character, Grace, in the original Avatar seemed to have been pretty clearly shown on-screen, but Weaver’s holding out for something more in the sequel. Spoilers, in case you somehow haven’t seen Avatar yet.

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Weaver responded to the idea that Grace was killed during the movie by saying,

Well, I wouldn’t use that word. I wouldn’t use that word — she was changed. You know, it’s science fiction, so we saw something happen to her, and we don’t quite know what it is. She definitely went into the Tree of Souls, right? It’s science fiction. What looks like death, who knows?

She went on to say that Ghostbusters III was most likely happening and that Bill Murray is on board.

James Cameron penning Avatar Bible


Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron is currently writing an Avatar Bible on which he will base the script for the sequel to his blockbuster 3D sci-fi epic adventure movie. Sam Worthington who played the lead Jake Sully in the first movie has confirmed work has begun on the Avatar follow-up, with director Cameron writing a book on which to base the script, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"At the moment, he's still writing what he calls 'The Bible' and detailing the world. Once he's detailed the world - more so than it's already detailed in his big brain, anyway - then, he said he can write the script, and we can go explore the world," said Worthington.

"Things like going underwater, going into the floating mountains," he added.

The 34-year-old star adds the Canadian director has had some "really cool" ideas about what the sequel would entail.

"We've been discussing that with Jim. He has had some ideas he told us, while we were filming, which were really cool and out there," he said.

Avatar which grossed $2.7 billion worldwide is set to have two follow-up movies, the first of which is due in December 2014.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Avatar Wins Another Award: Most Pirated Film of 2010


James Cameron's Avatar broke yet another record, this time for being the most pirated movie of 2010.

Avatar is the highest-grossing film of all time, but more people saw it than just those who paid for it. TorrentFreak has compiled its annual "most pirated" list, and Avatar came out on top. Not only did it win the title by a large margin, but TorrentFreak reports it destroyed the record of last year's most pirated film, Star Trek, with over 16,580,000 downloads to Trek's 10,960,000.

Other films near the top of the list are Kick-Ass in the number two spot (11,400,000 downloads), followed by Inception (9,720,000), Shutter Island (9,490,000), and Iron Man 2 (8,810,000). Rounding out the top ten are Clash of the Titans, Green Zone, Sherlock Holmes, The Hurt Locker, and Salt.

Some of these films may seem surprising, but the most downloaded films don't always correspond to the highest-grossing ones. Absent from this list are Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland, both of which, like Avatar, had theatrical grosses of over $1 billion worldwide.

'Avatar' Director Has 'Great Ideas' For Sequel, Sam Worthington Says


Actor behind Jake Sully tells MTV News he talks to James Cameron 'all the time,' and expects more details in 2011.

At this time last year, most movie talk revolved around "Avatar" and its record-shattering box-office numbers on its way to being anointed the most successful film of all time. This year, however, all the discussion has revolved around the inevitable "Avatar" sequels

Fox has announced there will be two and that director James Cameron will shoot at least one of them partially underwater. When MTV News caught up with star Sam Worthington on the set of his new thriller "Man on a Ledge," the in-demand actor (seriously, check out his IMDb lineup for proof) said he's been in close contact with Cameron about follow-ups but that specifics will start to take shape next year.

"I talk to [Cameron] all the time," Worthington said. "I talked to him last week. I think at the moment he's still doing the ['Avatar'] bible, the book, and I think the book will then inspire where he wants to take it," the "Clash of the Titans" star explained. "He's got great ideas; what he told me about, where he wants to set it, things he wants to explore. We'll probably talk next year, and then he can fill us in on where, personally, he wants to take it, where emotionally he wants to take it."

Regarding the sequel's underwater setting, Worthington said only some of the action will take place in the water.

"[Cameron] is going to explore that [underwater] world," he said. "It won't fully take place underwater but he's definitely going to explore — same as the mountains, he can explore more, outer space [as well] — it's up to him," Worthington added. "He created the world."

And finally, we asked Worthington about the future of Jake Sully, specifically whether audiences will ever see his human form onscreen again. Worthington said he had "no idea."

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Blu-ray Review: AVATAR in 3D (Panasonic Exclusive)


The excellent Blu-ray resource website Blu-ray.com has done the first review of the new 3D Blu-ray edition of James Cameron's AVATAR -- which currently is exclusively available from Panasonic with a purchase of 3D equipment (TVs, Blu-ray player, 3D glasses).

Juan Calonge of Blu-ray.com News provides the following introduction summary...

James Cameron's AVATAR is by far the top-grossing 3D movie in history, and helped immensely the adoption of stereoscopy in theaters. However, its recently-released Extended Collector's Edition lacked precisely that: a 3D Blu-ray version, as it will only be offered to buyers of Panasonic 3D hardware. Blu-ray.com already has a Avatar 3D review of that exclusive edition.

Most readers just will want to know how well the BD 3D edition measures up to the theatrical experience, and according to staff reviewer Martin Liebman, they are in for a treat - if they can get that disc, that is.

The Blu-ray 3D transfer of Avatar "delivers a mesmerizing 1080p experience that's about as close to perfection as any high def 3D release is likely to come for quite some time." The 3D image "is simply stunning in how seamless it truly is; every moment practically transports viewers to Pandora." Depth, detail and colorare also excellent. Ghosting, the bane of many 3D discs is only slightly and sporadically noticeable.

Marty feels that if this disc were to be released wide, rather than as an exclusive bundle, that alone would sell 3D displays. "Why the highest-grossing film of all time and the one fans want to see more than any other in 3D is saddled with an exclusive and therefore pricy release is beyond the imaginations of anyone but the highest-ups at Fox and Panasonic," he laments. (end)

So check out the new Blu-ray.com Review of James Cameron's AVATAR Blu-ray 3D edition (reviewed by Martin Liebman).

By the way, according to ConceivablyTech.com, new copies of the 3D Blu-ray edition of AVATAR are now being offered on eBay at prices of up to $400!

A report from their website...

There is a sure way to extinguish that last light that keeps current 3D TVs on life support. Keep content scarce to support nose-bleed prices and keep movies out of reach for average consumers. If you want to see AVATAR in 3D at home today, you will need to shell out at least $300 and possibly as much as $400.

Buying a 3D TV today must feel like to you are taken for a ride virtually every time you turn around. First you are asked to pay a premium over regular LED TVs, then you are told you only get one pair of glasses, with each additional pair costing somewhere around $150.

3D Blu-ray discs have also been sold for a premium, but there are now limited edition discs that are so short in supply that you won´t find them in stores, but only on eBay. Don't ask us why it is exactly Avatar that is such a limited edition, while it could be the most attractive title for 3D TVs. If you want to see Avatar in 3D on your home TV, you should budget about $300 for the disc. Bidding currently starts at $275 and the most confident buy-it-now price on eBay at the time of this writing is $399.

It is generally believed that Avatar 3D will be generally available to Panasonic 3D TV buyers sometime in December. The general release is expected for 2011.

We are not aware of any regular store supply for this movie, but we did notice that 40" TVs dropped below $300 for the first this Black Friday, 32" TVs below $200 and 40+" LED TVs dropped below $700. 3D TV deals were largely offered in bundles, but prices are well above $1000 and miss the mainstream market by a long shot.

You have to wonder whether the industry is really serious about 3D TV. (end)

And if you want to purchase the Panasonic exclusive AVATAR 3D Blu-ray Ultimate Starter Kit, then click the link^ to purchase from Amazon for $379.95 (includes AVATAR 3D Blu-ray Disc, and 2 rechargable glasses). Of course, you must own a 3D TV display and 3D capable Blu-ray player if you want to view playback in 3D.

Amazon.com LIMITED TIME OFFER:
For a limited time, get a free AVATAR Ultimate 3D Starter Kit and 3D Blu-ray Disc player when you purchase a qualifying Panasonic 3D HDTV. To take advantage of this special offer, simply add a qualifying 3D HDTV, the AVATAR Ultimate 3D Starter Kit, and the 3D Blu-ray Disc player from the list (see link above) to your cart -- you will not be charged for the Starter Kit or the 3D Blu-ray Disc player.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Sky to give 'Avatar' 3D world premiere


Sky has confirmed that Avatar, the biggest grossing movie in cinema history, will get its 3D TV world premiere on Sky 3D this Christmas.

On Christmas Eve at 8pm, James Cameron's blockbuster 3D epic will be aired on the Sky 3D channel, which is available to all Sky+ HD customers on the top tier package.

The movie forms part of Sky 3D's lineup for the festive season, including sport, documentaries and entertainment programming.

Sir David Attenborough's Flying Monsters 3D, a ground-breaking documentary about the evolution of pterosaurs some 200 million years ago, will premiere on the channel on Christmas day.

Coverage of The Prince's Trust Rock Gala, a musical extravaganza that recently took place at The Royal Albert Hall featuring artists such as Tom Jones, Eric Clapton and Brian May, will air in 3D on December 19.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland will get its 3D TV premiere on Sky 3D on New Year's Eve. On January 1, the channel will air Diversity 3D, a documentary following the dance troupe as they prepare for a sell-out show at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Sky 3D viewers will also be able to watch coverage of the Premier League clashes between Chelsea and Manchester United on December 19, Manchester City and Everton on December 20, and Arsenal and Chelsea on December 27.

John Cassy, the Sky 3D channel director said: "Confirming Avatar in our Christmas lineup for Sky 3D is a huge honour and fantastic news for customers.

"We've got an action packed schedule of 3D programmes on the channel over Christmas with everything from big movie blockbusters and all the major Barclays Premier League fixtures, to the history of pterosaurs with Sir David Attenborough's Flying Monsters.

"We hope 3D will bring people together to enjoy a whole new television experience over this festive and special time of year."

From January 6, Sky will also offer all three of Pixar's Toy Story films in 3D, with Toy Story 3 being available on Sky Box Office and Toy Story 1 & 2 coming to Sky 3D.

World of 'Avatar' coming to Seattle's science-fiction museum


"Avatar" director James Cameron and Paul Allen are collaborating on an interactive exhibition about the blockbuster film to be unveiled at Seattle's Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum in June.

"Avatar" director James Cameron says he and Paul Allen — co-founder of Seattle's Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum — "love to geek out together" about science fiction.

That friendship has led to something tangible for Seattle's sci-fi fans: "Avatar: The Exhibition," a collection of memorabilia from the 2009 blockbuster film, will be launched at the museum beginning June 4.

The exhibit will include some 40 to 50 artifacts from the film, such as costumes, props, concept models and sketches, said museum associate curator Brooks Peck.

Also included will be several interactive displays in which visitors can experiment with concepts explored by Cameron while making the film: performance capture, virtual cameras, sound design and the Na'vi language created for the film. Regular ticket prices will apply to the exhibit.

"Avatar," a science-fiction epic set in the year 2154, became the highest-grossing film of all time, both in North America and worldwide.

Cameron, in a phone interview, said he's long been a fan of EMP|SFM. "What better place, I thought, to curate some of the artifacts from the making of the film?" he said.

The exhibit has been in the works for nearly a year, since "Avatar" arrived in theaters in late 2009. Cameron visited the museum and "walked the floor space" where the exhibit would be (the gallery currently titled "Homeworld" — the first room you enter in the museum), and staffers traveled south to visit Cameron's prop room and select artifacts with him.

Cameron said he's especially pleased that visitors can participate in much of the exhibit.

"I wanted to make it interactive," he said. "I wanted people to grab the virtual camera and look around within the virtual world of Pandora and get a taste of the experience, of what it's like making the film."

Among the artifacts will be the bow used by Zoe Saldana's character Neytiri (it's 9 feet long, Cameron said — "it reminds you of the scale difference between Na'vi and humans"). Busts of characters, soldier uniforms and other Na'vi props and costume pieces also will shown.

While these items didn't actually appear on screen in "Avatar," Cameron explained that everything created digitally had to be created physically first, "so they could be scanned and modeled and studied in terms of how the lighting worked and so the actors could get a feel for them.

"People think because it's a CG [computer-graphics] movie that everything is created in the computer, but we had to create everything in the real world first."

The exhibit will stay at the museum through Sept. 3, 2012, then go to other cities.

Cameron, now at work on two more "Avatar" movies (to be in theaters in 2014 and 2015), says he's reserved the right to "pull back" anything needed for the sequels. But he's happy to have the artifacts on display.

"I don't keep much from my films," he said, noting he kept only the ship's wheel from "Titanic" and a small statue of Neytiri made by "Avatar" artists. "I'd rather put it where people can see it."