Avatar 2, 3 & 4?

[Jacks]

Apparently they are filming Avatar 2, 3 & 4 at the same time. This sounds like a disaster to me, I'm not looking forward to incomplete movies leading up to a third movie some time way in the future. Not sure how much gas this series really has anyways, do the humans just keep coming back? do the blue people face new alien enemies? Apparently they are going to involve Pandora's oceans and other planets somehow.

I'm predicting this will be worse than the Star Wars prequels.

http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2012/06/avatar-2-3-and-4-will-film-at-same-time-says-sigourney-weaver.html
WHEN James Cameron recently said 'I'm in the Avatar business. Period. That's it', he certainly meant it.

He appears to be moving to Pandora permanently. Bad news for those who are still harping on about Avatar's narrative simplicities and/or deficiences, good news for those (like me) who believe its 3D psychedelia has not since been equalled.

A report now says Sigourney Weaver has confirmed that three more Avatar films will be made at the same time.

Although not quoting Weaver directly on those details, Showbiz 411 caught up with the actress and reports: "She films Avatar 2, 3, and 4 with James Cameron. That's right: they're making three sequels to the blue 3D phenom[enon] all at the same time. Weaver says she has no idea how long it will take, or how it's going to work."

Weaver's only direct quote in the piece is "I just show up," offering us zero information on the content of the films themselves, although we already know Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are also returning and that the stories will explore Pandora's oceans as well as other planets.

Despite Weaver's botanist character dying in the first film and her consciousness then living on in a mystical tree, she will obviously continue to be part of the story - whether still in the tree or somehow given corporeal form again as one of the Neytiri.

This latest update on the Avatar franchise tallies with what James Cameron himself had said in May.

At the Beijing Film Festival, he spoke to the New York Times and here's the full quote explaining his ambitions and intentions: "Last year I basically completely disbanded my production company's development arm. So I'm not interested in developing anything.

"I'm in the Avatar business. Period. That's it. I'm making Avatar, Avatar 2, Avatar 3, maybe Avatar 4, and I'm not going to produce other people's movies for them. I'm not interested in taking scripts.

"And that all sounds I suppose a little bit restricted, but the point is I think within the Avatar landscape I can say everything I need to say that I think needs to be said, in terms of the state of the world and what I think we need to be doing about it. And doing it in an entertaining way. And anything I can't say in that area, I want to say through documentaries, which I'm continuing."

Of course, it makes sense to film the Avatar sequels together so that those involved in all the special effects can work continuously rather than in a stop-start fashion that is ultimately less efficient and more expensive.

The first of the Avatar sequels had been due out in December 2014. But producer Jon Landau said they would be unlikely to meet that date and in April this year Cameron indicated that the next two films would occupy his time for the next five years.

[photon]

I thought you meant the good avatar.

http://i.imgur.com/JfOL4.jpg

[trackercowe]

Really, you want three more of these?

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFCKX28G8duVBgg5IySOCAxAPY5UBQ-HfV2Nc5Gj6GA9gYT0-y9ZVcUr4

[photon]

Really, you want three more of these?

Gag, no!

More like this!

http://i.imgur.com/jSdX2.jpg

[blankall]

I thought the first movie was going to be a total disaster and flop based on the pre-release descriptions. It went on to be the most successful movie in history. Cameron deserves the benefit of the doubt here. I can't see him putting out a sub-par product here. He takes way too much pride in his work. He may be cutting costs by filming scenes from all three movies together, but I can see him spending years to finish the final product. It took Cameron 15 years to create the first movie, I don't see him releasing a half-assed product here.

[cDnStealth]

I absolutely dislike this approach. The problem I've found with sequels (especially lately) is that they tend to simply set the stage for the next movie rather than be a complete film in itself. If you take a look at the Matrix for example what you have is a great film that stands on it own. Once you get into Reloaded and Revolutions it's basically one long movie that's been chopped into two. Now with Avatar, the first was okay. The main draw was it's visuals and 3D but I certainly wouldn't say it's story was anything ground breaking. So they're filming 3 more movies? Where are they going to go with this?

[blankall]

I absolutely dislike this approach. The problem I've found with sequels (especially lately) is that they tend to simply set the stage for the next movie rather than be a complete film in itself. If you take a look at the Matrix for example what you have is a great film that stands on it own. Once you get into Reloaded and Revolutions it's basically one long movie that's been chopped into two. Now with Avatar, the first was okay. The main draw was it's visuals and 3D but I certainly wouldn't say it's story was anything ground breaking. So they're filming 3 more movies? Where are they going to go with this?

It looks like Cameron is taking a different approach with the Avatar films. It sounds like each movie will take place in a different locale in the solar system from the original film. The second one is suppossed to be largely underwater. The third and fourth are potentially on different moons.

....can't believe I'm defending Cameron on this. I though Avatar was pretty average.

[MarchHare]

I thought the first movie was going to be a total disaster and flop based on the pre-release descriptions. It went on to be the most successful movie in history. Cameron deserves the benefit of the doubt here. I can't see him putting out a sub-par product here. He takes way too much pride in his work. He may be cutting costs by filming scenes from all three movies together, but I can see him spending years to finish the final product. It took Cameron 15 years to create the first movie, I don't see him releasing a half-assed product here.

Avatar's problems weren't on the technical side of things. The reason the movie was borderline unwatchably awful was because of the script/story.

Still better than The Phantom Menace, though. ;)

[Regulator75]

Gag, no!

More like this!

http://i.imgur.com/jSdX2.jpg

How about no.

[blankall]

Avatar's problems weren't on the technical side of things. The reason the movie was borderline unwatchably awful was because of the script/story.

Still better than The Phantom Menace, though. ;)

Everything is better than the Phantom Menace. That was a film that relied way too heavily on special effects. Now that the special effects are horribly outdated, that movie is even more unwatchable.

Lucas kept saying the movie was for kids, so that's why the computerized minstrel show Jar Jar got so much time, but then he makes the plot about contrived politics that kids have no way of following...what a mess.

[cDnStealth]

Everything is better than the Phantom Menace. That was a film that relied way too heavily on special effects. Now that the special effects are horribly outdated, that movie is even more unwatchable.

Lucas kept saying the movie was for kids, so that's why the computerized minstrel show Jar Jar got so much time, but then he makes the plot about contrived politics that kids have no way of following...what a mess.

What could be more exciting then the inner workings of the Intergalactic Senate!!!

[Hemi-Cuda]

weren't the LOTR movies all filmed at the same time? not saying that the Avatar sequels will be good, but obviously this method can work

[cDnStealth]

weren't the LOTR movies all filmed at the same time? not saying that the Avatar sequels will be good, but obviously this method can work

Two Towers and Return of the King were filmed back to back but I would count it's success as a rarity.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I know it is really cool to crap on avatar but I liked it.

Sure it was cookie cutter and the acting and writing were average but what are we comparing it to?

I can't think of many big budget action movies that are renowned for incredible acting or writing. Not to mention the fact that it was one of the more visually stunning theatre experiences I've ever had.

I can't wait for the sequels and hope they are as goo as the original. It doesn't hold up quite as well at home because the theatre 3D was so good but it is still a solid action flick.

In fact other than the avengers or a few Nolan movies I can't think of any big budget action flicks that were as good especially considering it was pg rated.

Even the avengers wasn't exactly best picture worthy for its writing or acting.

[undercoverbrother]

hmmm 3 more movies I will never see.

Hate James Cameron

[cDnStealth]

hmmm 3 more movies I will never see.

Hate James Cameron

How can you hate James Cameron? He gave us T2: Judgement Day and Aliens, two of the best sequels ever produced.

[photon]

How about no.

Too late, they already did!

If any film lends itself to filming multiple films at the same time it's a film like Avatar where so much of it is fake.

[Daradon]

No movie franchise deserves four of anything. Very few can pull off three.

I'd actually be excited for a sequel, but hearing a project this big makes me very scared.

[undercoverbrother]

How can you hate James Cameron? He gave us T2: Judgement Day and Aliens, two of the best sequels ever produced.

I will give you that (I love both of those), he also gave us Titanic.....:whaa:

I take the same approach with Jame Cameron as I do with Radiohead.

Aliens = The Bends
T2 = Ok Computer

All after is garbage, IMO.

[cDnStealth]

I will give you that (I love both of those), he also gave us Titanic.....:whaa:

I take the same approach with Jame Cameron as I do with Radiohead.

Aliens = The Bends
T2 = Ok Computer

All after is garbage, IMO.

Agreed. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

[nik-]

They won't be worse than the Star Wars Prequels because James Cameron understands the basics of storytelling and composition. George Lucas, on the other hand, is a yes-man gathering, Hutt sized mouth breather.

[Tinordi]

One Avatar was enough.

[Flabbibulin]

On a somewhat related note, anyone know when the Panasonic exclusivity ends on Avatar 3D blu ray?

[3 Justin 3]

The first one sucked and I imagine the next three to suck as well.

[KTrain]

I can't wait.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2383490/CPPictures/Guy-Covered-In-Avatar-Tattoos.jpg

[To Be Quite Honest]

I know it is really cool to crap on avatar but I liked it.

Sure it was cookie cutter and the acting and writing were average but what are we comparing it to?

I can't think of many big budget action movies that are renowned for incredible acting or writing. Not to mention the fact that it was one of the more visually stunning theatre experiences I've ever had.

I can't wait for the sequels and hope they are as goo as the original. It doesn't hold up quite as well at home because the theatre 3D was so good but it is still a solid action flick.

In fact other than the avengers or a few Nolan movies I can't think of any big budget action flicks that were as good especially considering it was pg rated.

Even the avengers wasn't exactly best picture worthy for its writing or acting.

It was visually amazing but I laughed out loud while watching it in the theaters. A movie that is not a comedy should not make one laugh out loud. Avatar is only eye candy and that's it. Nothing else is special about it. T2 kicked it's butt as a genuine movie IMO.

[trackercowe]

I will give you that (I love both of those), he also gave us Titanic.....:whaa:

I take the same approach with Jame Cameron as I do with Radiohead.

Aliens = The Bends
T2 = Ok Computer

All after is garbage, IMO.

Wait, so are you saying everything Radiohead did after Ok Computer was garbage, or just in terms of those movies?

[Jacks]

The problem I've found with sequels (especially lately) is that they tend to simply set the stage for the next movie rather than be a complete film in itself. If you take a look at the Matrix for example what you have is a great film that stands on it own. Once you get into Reloaded and Revolutions it's basically one long movie that's been chopped into two
Exactly, the second two Matrix movies are a perfect example of how to ruin a franchise with multiple sequels telling one big story.

weren't the LOTR movies all filmed at the same time? not saying that the Avatar sequels will be good, but obviously this method can work
The LOTR movies had the advantage of a massive fanbase before they even aired and one of the best fantasy stories ever proven by decades of book sales. It would have been hard to screw that series up with todays effects and the all star cast.

They won't be worse than the Star Wars Prequels because James Cameron understands the basics of storytelling and composition. George Lucas, on the other hand, is a yes-man gathering, Hutt sized mouth breather.
You're right, I over reacted. When predicting that this would be worst than the Star Wars prequels I had mentally blocked out Jar Jar and all the other horrible characters that Lucas soiled the screen with.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Two Towers and Return of the King were filmed back to back but I would count it's success as a rarity.

I thought Back to the Future 2 and 3 were good also.

[C-Four]

Gag, no!

More like this!


That was one amazing season finale...

[SebC]

Now with Avatar, the first was okay. The main draw was it's visuals and 3D but I certainly wouldn't say it's story was anything ground breaking. So they're filming 3 more movies? Where are they going to go with this?What, you don't want to see Pocahontas 2, 3, and 4... in 3D? I wouldn't actually be surprised if it was the same story again in three new environments.

[cDnStealth]

I thought Back to the Future 2 and 3 were good also.

I forgot about those. Great movies!

What, you don't want to see Pocahontas 2, 3, and 4... in 3D? I wouldn't actually be surprised if it was the same story again in three new environments.

The next one will be the Little Mermaid. Book it.

[sevenarms]

I thought Back to the Future 2 and 3 were good also.

I thought 3 was a bit rough.

[Sr. Mints]

So much hate in this thread for Avatar, Cameron, the colour blue...

Well, someone on this planet must have liked Avatar, being the most successful movie of all time and all.

[blankall]

What, you don't want to see Pocahontas 2, 3, and 4... in 3D? I wouldn't actually be surprised if it was the same story again in three new environments.

I actually have no problem with that. I agree with the others, that the movie was garbage, but the experience of seeing the movie in 3-D in the theatre was fantastic. It's a huge technological accomplishment. It's best to totally ignore the dialogue and story and focus on the snowflakes falling down on you.

[Tinordi]

We all thought it was great. Then we watched in HD at home and realized it was awful.

[undercoverbrother]

Wait, so are you saying everything Radiohead did after Ok Computer was garbage, or just in terms of those movies?

all after Ok Computer was garbage.

[3 Justin 3]

We all thought it was great. Then we watched in HD at home and realized it was awful.

No, I thought it was awful at the theatre. I almost fell asleep in the middle of it, but my bro slapped me to wake me up.

Such a boring movie.

[blankall]

List of films filmed back to back/ at the same time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_back_film_production

Some that didn't suck:

Superman II (the best of the original superman films)
Kill Bill
Lord of the Rings
Hobbit
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

[WetCoast]

all after Ok Computer was garbage.

You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!

[Mike F]

List of films filmed back to back/ at the same time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_back_film_production

Some that didn't suck:

Superman II (the best of the original superman films)
Kill Bill
Lord of the Rings
Hobbit
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
The porn version of Avatar went into production within days of the release of Avatar, and was a vastly superior film, particularly in terms of script and story.

[trackercowe]

The two parts for Skyline sequels being filmed back-to-back.


:blink::blink::blink:

[Sr. Mints]

The two parts for Skyline sequels being filmed back-to-back.:blink::blink::blink:

For ####'s sake. If it's going to be a cliffhanger, my interest just dropped significantly.

[undercoverbrother]

You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!


mumble mumble mumble......

[cmyden]

I wonder if Battle Angel will ever see the light of day.

http://screenrant.com/james-cameron-battle-angel-alita-sandy-165916/

[Bertuzzied]

I still have not watched Avatar entirely yet. I have it on bluray, downloaded and in 3d. Can't watch it because it has Michelle Rodriguez in it. I must have watched the beginning 20 minutes at least 15 times though.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

It was visually amazing but I laughed out loud while watching it in the theaters. A movie that is not a comedy should not make one laugh out loud. Avatar is only eye candy and that's it. Nothing else is special about it. T2 kicked it's butt as a genuine movie IMO.

If T2, which I think is one of if not the greatest action movie of all time, is the only comparison then that's a little unfair.

So what PG blockbuster action movies didn't make you laugh out loud? A few of the Marvel comic book movies have been pretty good. After that I can hardly think of anything that is better than Avatar. It is Citizen Kane compared to any of the Transformers movies or Die Hard 4 or pretty much any of the other tentpole movies that come to mind that are family friendly.

If we're talking 14A or higher then I can think of maybe a few more but not many.

Here is a list of movies, sorted by most recent release, that comprise some of the top grossing action films of the all time. I wasn't able to filter out PG 13 or higher movies so it includes some R rates stuff (those are US ratings BTW).

http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/alltime.mv?adjusted+ByYearDown+All+Act

TDK, Inception, Spiderman 1 and 2 and a handful of others I'd rate near as good, equal or better. The rest of that list is complete crap. Indy 4, anything by Michael Bay or George Lucas, Independence Day, Armageddon, Pirates of the Carribean etc etc.

Then there are a few gems, which once again compared to a good drama are usually complete crap in the acting/writing departments. Jurrasic Park, Indy 3, T2. And all 3 of those are 20 years old or more. Except T2 is rated R and as such isn't really fair to compare.

So if the worst thing you can say about Avatar is that is isn't the best action movie in the last 20 years then that's not much to go on.

[Flash Walken]

Since when is Avatar an action movie?

Avatar is as much an action movie as The Incredibles.

[Champion]

Avatar put me to sleep.