ROTTEN TOMATOES: James Cameron Talks Avatar

James Cameron Talks Avatar

by | August 07, 2008

Summary

With just under a year and a half before the scheduled release of his latest big-budget epic, Avatar, James Cameron has given the Hollywood Reporter a peek inside the production, which he calls the "most challenging film" he's ever made. Back to Article

(1-15 of 15 posts) | Reply

Merlin235 writes:
on Aug 07 2008 09:35 AM

For someone who hasn't made a movie in over a decade, this guy sure gets his name in a lot of press. I guess that's what directing some quality movies will get you: a long line of fans.

I don't have any desire to see this, but at one time Cameron wanted to direct a Spider-man movie. He didn't want to do an origin story, so now would be a good time for him to jump on board. Puh-lease James?

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harrismonkey writes:
on Aug 07 2008 10:05 AM

I obviously wasn't there, so treat it as a rumor, but supposedly they kicked him off Spiderman. I can't imagine he'd come back for a fourth sequel. Maybe a reboot in ten years?

As far as this article goes, he's always been on the cutting edge of technology- but somehow this article sounds like he's now developing the equivalent of big puff directors chairs. I doubt the fruits of his new technology will really LOOK all that different on screen from other well done effects movies. (3D aside)

But this is neither here not there. His strength has always been his story telling skills. Hopefully he's still on top of that. Unless it somehow looks god awful, I know I'll see it.

BTW- My feature "Into the Arms of Strangers" is now available on DVD at Netflix, amazon and some other places!!!

Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIw1VCd5qZo

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on Aug 07 2008 11:05 AM

Cameron is amazing even though he hasnt made a great movie in like 16 years (T2), I thought True Lies and Titanic were B movies. I am looking foward to this it sounds cool. Also I hope he dosnt take another 10 year break after this movie.

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BK Style writes:
on Aug 07 2008 01:13 PM

Who cares about 3-D crap, if he makes this a good story it could be sweet, I know Avatar is a kid's cartoon, but the storyline is realy good, and the characters are deep, so hopefully this wont be homo like Titanic.

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trgdr777 writes:
on Aug 07 2008 01:37 PM

In reply to this comment (#1960580)
Dude this isn't Avatar the Last Airbender...

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markbart0305 writes:
on Aug 07 2008 01:38 PM

I predict another bomb ala Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

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Rockslide writes:
on Aug 07 2008 04:12 PM

haha, yeah I can already see the complete confusion to many people over the two Avatar movies in production. I'm assuming Nickelodeon will just call theirs "The Last Airbender" ? Although that would be cool if Cameron were doing Aang and crew. I guess I'll give M. Night one more shot with it, I wonder how he'll handle someone else's material, he better stay true. (I guess I'm way off topic here)

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Product_of_You writes:
on Aug 07 2008 05:59 PM

I read Cameron's Spider-Man treatment online last year. I'm very glad he didn't make the film, the treatment was rooouuuuggghhhhhh.

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Daniel Aaron writes:
on Aug 07 2008 10:36 PM

Im not sure what to think I believe a lot of older directors are taking the wrong turn here yes it is "cutting edge" but cutting to what sometimes i think cgi has become what MTV is to music..and idea which on the surface "hey maybe" but has become and is a bad call I believe cgi should be the last resort motion capture looks lame period watch Beowulf. The magic of film is a built set and real creations wether latex or human or model ( i will still take jabba's palace Endor the opening sequence of Star Wars when Lea's ship was boarded over all three "first episodes" they were trash) so we come to Cameron smoking the Crack pipe intitled "motion capture" who knows can't say tell I see what he does but even Zemitckus had admitted it was a waste;hard to explain but anyway..so one more takes a hit. As a screen writer and future director I must say I see the pull, thats why to me it is a Crack pipe. The bottom line is this (quick story..) When Steven Speilburgh directed the first Jurassic park film and if you read the book the initial chase with the t-rex was much longer and they filmed the water fall scene brought it back in 2 if I recall as an ode anyway it looked like trash so they dumped it. Now I would have dumped 90 % of episode 2 but alas just like the original star wars died to Lucas's coke habit..this time he found the pipe..CGI..anyway make of this what you will don't mind my spelling im more a bard then a typist and thats what my editor is for if you hate me mail him in Vegas(write me back I will give you his address and he will read it between lap dance and martini's..just joking he's not like that ..I dont think ..but he sure does have a big smile all the time and love's 110 degree heat?....and isnt even thinking about moving.. soo..you figure I dont know) Im down south outside of L.A and can give a f-k about your "problems with my spelling" if you want a dog from pinks im buying if you need a soda it's you..just kidding what do you like to drink if you need some magic in it my co-pilot or "flask" as they call it is in the car
God bless
Daniel Aaron

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Coyote22 writes:
on Aug 07 2008 11:09 PM

In reply to this comment (#1959669)
NOt even James Cameron could save Spiderman, Merlin, unless he did an entire re-boot a la Batman Begins. It will be great to have Cameron back the meticulous master of sci-fi. If Avatat is anything like Cameron's other Sci-Fi projects it will be awe inspiring.

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P'city Psycho writes:
on Aug 07 2008 11:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#1961986)
Sorry dude, I need a translator for your post. Anyway, I have more faith in James Cameron making a good film with cutting edge technology and CGI, etc. than any other filmmaker--any. T2, The Abyss...almost all of his films have used CGI in a way that wows you--probably because even in a movie like T2, the special effects are secondary and jump out that much more with how "real" everything else is around them. Of course, Avatar looks like it's going to be different for sure, but he's not coming out of this quasi-retirement from Hollywood to make crap.

Strange Days is the only film of his that I didn't particularly enjoy. Everything else is And if you want to consider True Lies and Titantic "B" movies (a silly label for any of his films if you ask me--especially the biggest movie ever...inflation aside), then his "B" movies beat the hell out of 99% of the "A" variety. And let's be real...most guys are afraid to admit liking Titantic from fear of losing their man-card.

Back to the subject. Cameron has a stellar resume. Very likely that Avatar will rock.

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harrismonkey writes:
on Aug 07 2008 11:55 PM

Remember, Cameron didn't actually make Strange Days. Yes he wrote it years before and produced it, but he let some one else (his then wife) direct it. If he felt the project was all it could have been I'm sure he would have done it himself. So it's not fair holding that one against him.

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markbart0305 writes:
on Aug 08 2008 12:08 AM

Are you ****ing kidding me?! Strange Days is one of the greatest sci-fi films I ever seen. Kathryn Bigelow did a great job with that film and really made it her own. James Cameron wrote a fantastic screenplay, but chose not to direct it because he was still busy doing True Lies.

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Matanuki writes:
on Aug 10 2008 02:12 AM

In reply to this comment (#1960580)
You're on the wrong board, chief. Shyamalan is doing The Last Airbender.

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FURY.UK writes:
on Aug 10 2008 02:19 AM

Cameron, we've missed you!

When it comes to Sci-Fi you can't beat him. Cameron also influenced the design of the predator with its face mandables.

I haven't been able to get past the first 20 minutes of Titanic without falling asleep. Twice I've tried and twice I've failed.

Camerons good because he pushes the actors to get the best out of them. Watch the making of the Abyss, everyone hated him lol.

He is an innovator of Special Effects (Lightstorm Entertainment) and worked extensively with Stan Winston.

Aliens
True Lies
Terminator I & II
The Abyss
Avatar (2009)
Battle Angel (unknown)

He's very careful and only chooses projects he knows will work.

I have faith, cant wait for his next film.

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