Not that it should come as any surprise, but the newly crowned best grossing movie of all time is already in talks for a sequel (though let’s note for the record, the film was designed as a trilogy from almost its original inception). According to THR, News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch has stated that the 20th Century Fox parent company is already having “very early talks about” an “Avatar” sequel. No shit?? Given the wild financial success of the film up to this point and the predicted revenue yet to come, the company apparently feels comfortable in considering the finances for a followup to James Cameron’s sci-fi effects spectacle.
Though Cameron claims he “has ideas” and is also in favor of the sequel, Murdoch warns that we shouldn’t “hold our breath” for a film anytime soon. Given the lofty waiting times between Cameron’s films, you shouldn’t be waiting with bated breath either.
Frankly, we wouldn’t be shocked, given Cameron’s hand-off of “Solaris” to Steven Soderbergh for example, if he gave creative control to a different director while installing himself in a producer with creative control capacity (perhaps in a Blomkamp/Jackson type mentor relationship). It would behoove 20th Century Fox to get a sequel off the ground sooner rather than later, before the new 3D technology fades away (though some might argue it’s already too late and we’re here for good) and before people begin to dismiss the novelty of the visual enhancements (dare we say gimmicks?) involved with the film.
News Corp. also plans for a DVD release of “Avatar” before June 30th of this year, with discussion of a home 3D viewing experience when the technology becomes available (so you can wear those dorky glasses in the privacy of your own home). Obsessive 3D proselytizers, Market Saw rumored very recently that the sequel would take place off the world of Pandora and would be a “war” instead of just a third act final battle. Take that with a grain of salt and or, awesome, at least they’re getting to the heart of the story, huh? Either way Cameron has said he’s had a rough story mapped out for several years now, so that report seems apocryphal. — Jon Davies
