News Analysis India

Tag: Avatar: The Way of Water

  • Hyderabad swoons to ‘Avatar’ frenzy

    By Express News Service

    Avatar: The Way of Water will take us back to the world of the Na’vis after the wait of 13 long years on December 16. The first movie Avatar released in 2009, remains the biggest movie of all time. It was certainly a visual masterpiece — beautiful to behold, and Hyderabadis have a special place for it.

    Back in 2009, some millennials spent their month’s worth of pocket money on it, and this time movie goers are travelling from other states — to experience it on the newly renovated IMAX big screen. “Last month I decided that whatever may happen I will watch Avatar: The Way of Water on the big screen only!” said Hemanth, a freelance writer from Vijayawada. Hemanth has come to Hyderabad to watch the first show on day one, travelling 300 km. “The movie is only experienced to the fullest when screened on the big screen. I watched it back in 2009.”

    There are some 60-70 screens in Hyderabad and if not all, most are packed with Avatar:  The Way of Water shows, back to back. Prasad multiplex has 20 shows on six of its screens in 3D format on December 16, beginning at 8 am. Some of the single-screen talkies in the city are, like never before, running movie shows from 7.30 am onwards.

    Tickets are available, but one will have a hard time catching up with the show at IMAX big screen. “I remember it well, two months ago, Avatar 2009, was re-launched, and I had a hard time booking the tickets. Because it was housefull in the first week. Also, the IMAX big screen was under renovation so I had to watch the movie on a 70mm screen. This time, I booked the ticket two weeks back, yet I was unable to get a seat in the top row,” says Prahasith Reddy, a designer for a gaming company in the city. He added, “To be honest, I have watched the trailer at least 50 times.”

    “When the first Avatar movie was released, I was in college and I vividly remember the craze it had. It was an experience then and it would be an experience now too. I am trying very hard to book tickets for the new Avatar movie for this weekend.

    But almost everywhere it is sold out. I will have to be patient and wait till I get tickets on the IMAX big screen. No one can beat the movie-watching experience of that screen when it comes to movies like Avatar,” said Joy Mukherjee, an MNC employee.

    “I’ve seen Avatar in IMAX 3D on the same screen and it was breathtaking. But I’m sure the normal digital print also delivers there. They recently updated the old dull projector to the Barco DualLaser projection system but still use a single laser for reasons known to them, and it’s really good. The sound is also a lot better even though they have not updated it, but are planning for Atmos. Avatar: The Way of Water is being planned for the usage of dual laser projection,” shared Allvaiis, a user wrote on Reddit, four months before the movie’s release.

    Avatar: The Way of Water will take us back to the world of the Na’vis after the wait of 13 long years on December 16. The first movie Avatar released in 2009, remains the biggest movie of all time. It was certainly a visual masterpiece — beautiful to behold, and Hyderabadis have a special place for it.

    Back in 2009, some millennials spent their month’s worth of pocket money on it, and this time movie goers are travelling from other states — to experience it on the newly renovated IMAX big screen. “Last month I decided that whatever may happen I will watch Avatar: The Way of Water on the big screen only!” said Hemanth, a freelance writer from Vijayawada. Hemanth has come to Hyderabad to watch the first show on day one, travelling 300 km. “The movie is only experienced to the fullest when screened on the big screen. I watched it back in 2009.”

    There are some 60-70 screens in Hyderabad and if not all, most are packed with Avatar:  The Way of Water shows, back to back. Prasad multiplex has 20 shows on six of its screens in 3D format on December 16, beginning at 8 am. Some of the single-screen talkies in the city are, like never before, running movie shows from 7.30 am onwards.

    Tickets are available, but one will have a hard time catching up with the show at IMAX big screen. “I remember it well, two months ago, Avatar 2009, was re-launched, and I had a hard time booking the tickets. Because it was housefull in the first week. Also, the IMAX big screen was under renovation so I had to watch the movie on a 70mm screen. This time, I booked the ticket two weeks back, yet I was unable to get a seat in the top row,” says Prahasith Reddy, a designer for a gaming company in the city. He added, “To be honest, I have watched the trailer at least 50 times.”

    “When the first Avatar movie was released, I was in college and I vividly remember the craze it had. It was an experience then and it would be an experience now too. I am trying very hard to book tickets for the new Avatar movie for this weekend.

    But almost everywhere it is sold out. I will have to be patient and wait till I get tickets on the IMAX big screen. No one can beat the movie-watching experience of that screen when it comes to movies like Avatar,” said Joy Mukherjee, an MNC employee.

    “I’ve seen Avatar in IMAX 3D on the same screen and it was breathtaking. But I’m sure the normal digital print also delivers there. They recently updated the old dull projector to the Barco DualLaser projection system but still use a single laser for reasons known to them, and it’s really good. The sound is also a lot better even though they have not updated it, but are planning for Atmos. Avatar: The Way of Water is being planned for the usage of dual laser projection,” shared Allvaiis, a user wrote on Reddit, four months before the movie’s release.

  • James Cameron tests positive for COVID-19, skips Hollywood premiere of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

    The movie, which is the sequel to Cameron's 2009 blockbuster science fiction film, is set to showcase on Monday evening in Los Angeles.

  • The Weeknd to work in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

    By Express News Service

    The Canadian singer, The Weeknd, will compose a soundtrack for James Cameron’s much-anticipated sequel Avatar: The Way of Water.

    According to Variety, the Canadian singer recently uploaded a short clip displaying the film’s logo and December 16 release date.

    In the background, a choir can be heard, supported by a booming drum beat—reminiscent of the previous film’s grandiose James Horner score. Following that, the official account of the upcoming film retweeted the post on Twitter.

    Jon Landau, the film’s producer, who also posted the clip, wrote, “As the Na’vi (the fictional language of the film) say, ‘Zola’u niprrte’ soaiane Avatar’a Welcome to the Avatar family (sic).”

    According to Variety, it remains unclear what the extent of the Weeknd’s involvement will be in the film or the soundtrack.

    The Weeknd recently featured on Metro Boomin’s newest record, which also featured performances by A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, Future and the late Takeoff. Earlier this year, he released Dawn FM, which followed 2020’s chart-topping After Hours.

    Avatar: The Way of Water, the sequel to the 2009 blockbuster, is set more than a decade after the story of the first film ends. It follows Jake and Neyitiri as they build their family and battle their past, which seems to be catching up with them. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet, the film releases on December 16.

    The Canadian singer, The Weeknd, will compose a soundtrack for James Cameron’s much-anticipated sequel Avatar: The Way of Water.

    According to Variety, the Canadian singer recently uploaded a short clip displaying the film’s logo and December 16 release date.

    In the background, a choir can be heard, supported by a booming drum beat—reminiscent of the previous film’s grandiose James Horner score. Following that, the official account of the upcoming film retweeted the post on Twitter.

    Jon Landau, the film’s producer, who also posted the clip, wrote, “As the Na’vi (the fictional language of the film) say, ‘Zola’u niprrte’ soaiane Avatar’a Welcome to the Avatar family (sic).”

    According to Variety, it remains unclear what the extent of the Weeknd’s involvement will be in the film or the soundtrack.

    The Weeknd recently featured on Metro Boomin’s newest record, which also featured performances by A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, Future and the late Takeoff. Earlier this year, he released Dawn FM, which followed 2020’s chart-topping After Hours.

    Avatar: The Way of Water, the sequel to the 2009 blockbuster, is set more than a decade after the story of the first film ends. It follows Jake and Neyitiri as they build their family and battle their past, which seems to be catching up with them. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet, the film releases on December 16.

  • WATCH | ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ trailer gives us a deeper glimpse into Pandora

    By Express News Service

    The first full-length trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water has been released online. A teaser for the film had previously been released five months ago.

    The trailer gives us a deeper look into the world of Avatar and introduces us to new characters and hints at the conflicts and larger themes handled in the film. The much-awaited sequel to the 2009 sci-fi film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 16 December 2022.

    It was recently announced that Avatar: The Way of Water has a runtime of 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is 30 minutes longer than the original film.

    James Cameron, who has several films that stayed at the top of the global box office, took a decade-long hiatus from filmmaking to work on the Avatar sequels. It was previously announced that James Cameron was simultaneously working on Avatar 3, 4, and 5.

    The sequel brings back cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, from the original film. The recurring cast members will be joined by newcomers Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Winslet.

    It was earlier reported that James Cameron had already shot scenes for the planned sequels and is currently working on the visuals for the film.

    (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

    The first full-length trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water has been released online. A teaser for the film had previously been released five months ago.

    The trailer gives us a deeper look into the world of Avatar and introduces us to new characters and hints at the conflicts and larger themes handled in the film. The much-awaited sequel to the 2009 sci-fi film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 16 December 2022.

    It was recently announced that Avatar: The Way of Water has a runtime of 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is 30 minutes longer than the original film.

    James Cameron, who has several films that stayed at the top of the global box office, took a decade-long hiatus from filmmaking to work on the Avatar sequels. It was previously announced that James Cameron was simultaneously working on Avatar 3, 4, and 5.

    The sequel brings back cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, from the original film. The recurring cast members will be joined by newcomers Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Winslet.

    It was earlier reported that James Cameron had already shot scenes for the planned sequels and is currently working on the visuals for the film.

    (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

  • WATCH | ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ trailer gives us a deeper glimpse into Pandora

    By Express News Service

    The first full-length trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water has been released online. A teaser for the film had previously been released five months ago.

    The trailer gives us a deeper look into the world of Avatar and introduces us to new characters and hints at the conflicts and larger themes handled in the film. The much-awaited sequel to the 2009 sci-fi film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 16 December 2022.

    It was recently announced that Avatar: The Way of Water has a runtime of 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is 30 minutes longer than the original film.

    James Cameron, who has several films that stayed at the top of the global box office, took a decade-long hiatus from filmmaking to work on the Avatar sequels. It was previously announced that James Cameron was simultaneously working on Avatar 3, 4, and 5.

    The sequel brings back cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, from the original film. The recurring cast members will be joined by newcomers Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Winslet.

    It was earlier reported that James Cameron had already shot scenes for the planned sequels and is currently working on the visuals for the film.

    (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

    The first full-length trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water has been released online. A teaser for the film had previously been released five months ago.

    The trailer gives us a deeper look into the world of Avatar and introduces us to new characters and hints at the conflicts and larger themes handled in the film. The much-awaited sequel to the 2009 sci-fi film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 16 December 2022.

    It was recently announced that Avatar: The Way of Water has a runtime of 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is 30 minutes longer than the original film.

    James Cameron, who has several films that stayed at the top of the global box office, took a decade-long hiatus from filmmaking to work on the Avatar sequels. It was previously announced that James Cameron was simultaneously working on Avatar 3, 4, and 5.

    The sequel brings back cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, from the original film. The recurring cast members will be joined by newcomers Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Winslet.

    It was earlier reported that James Cameron had already shot scenes for the planned sequels and is currently working on the visuals for the film.

    (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

  • Return of the Na’vi;  Avatar (2009) re-releasing in theatres on September 23

    Express News Service

    James Cameron’s epic science fiction eco-parable Avatar (2009) is re-releasing in theatres on September 23. The impetus is obvious: the first sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, opens globally in December. It makes sense that viewers would want to reacquaint themselves with the world of Pandora on the big screen before plunging into its oceanic depths.

    It’s not the kind of opportunity you’d like to miss on its own terms. Cameron, however, supplies a more immediate reason to book that 4K HDR IMAX seat. “It’s been over 12 years since the release, so basically if you’re under 22 or 23 years of age, it’s very unlikely that you’ve seen the film in a movie theatre.” Which basically means that… “you haven’t seen the film.”

    Cameron is talking during a virtual global presser hosted by Jon Landau, his producer and friend since Titanic (1999). On Zoom, Cameron, now 68, looks as calm and focused as ever, if also a tad preoccupied. He and his team only recently wrapped up the restoration process of Avatar. It kind of blew them all away, he shares with a glint.

    “It’s hard to say this with any degree of humility, but we are really impressed with how the movie looks. Just the physical experience of the film… we’re really excited to share it with people.” 

    In Avatar, paraplegic ex-marine Jake (Sam Worthington) replaces his deceased twin on a space mission to Pandora. “You’re not in Kansas anymore,” grunts Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), head of security detail, when the troops arrive. Jake’s role, we quickly learn, is in the upstart science department, neurologically piloting tall, blue-skinned humanoids sent in to infiltrate the native Na’vi.

    Jake escapes Thanators, falls in love, links up with a giant dragon-like bird and mobilizes an epic indigenous mass movement against the greedy earthlings.

    “The first time I read the script, it had things like floating mountains and carnivorous alien cats,” recalls Sam Worthington, still giddy from the rush and adventure of it all. In the end, Sam, like everyone else involved, just went along with his director’s vision—standard protocol on any Cameron film.“That’s how we did it,” Sam chuckles, recalling his time inside ‘the volume’, an expansive studio floor Cameron outfitted with infrared cameras to mo-cap his actors.

    “It was Jim every day saying, “Look, I’m gonna create something that will translate to floating mountains… and I need you to jump off it.”

    Sigourney Weaver, no stranger to capricious yet fascinating ‘alien’ environments, looks back with pride that Cameron called on her to play a scientist in Avatar. She played Dr Grace Augustine, the tough, wise (and very chain-smoking) lead of the Avatar programme.

    Late in the film, she takes a fatal gunshot wound from Quaritch. “I need to get samples,” she purrs in Jake’s arms, looking up at the mystical and bioluminescent ‘Tree of Souls’ into which she’ll ultimately pass.

    “Well, you know, Jim is a scientist, and that may be his first love,” Sigourney says. “He gave my character this whole new universe of new flora and fauna, taking it so seriously. Even things that seemed impossible had incredible science behind them. He wasn’t dumbing things down for the mass audience. In fact, he was lifting ‘em up.”

    James Cameron’s epic science fiction eco-parable Avatar (2009) is re-releasing in theatres on September 23. The impetus is obvious: the first sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, opens globally in December. It makes sense that viewers would want to reacquaint themselves with the world of Pandora on the big screen before plunging into its oceanic depths.

    It’s not the kind of opportunity you’d like to miss on its own terms. Cameron, however, supplies a more immediate reason to book that 4K HDR IMAX seat. “It’s been over 12 years since the release, so basically if you’re under 22 or 23 years of age, it’s very unlikely that you’ve seen the film in a movie theatre.” Which basically means that… “you haven’t seen the film.”

    Cameron is talking during a virtual global presser hosted by Jon Landau, his producer and friend since Titanic (1999). On Zoom, Cameron, now 68, looks as calm and focused as ever, if also a tad preoccupied. He and his team only recently wrapped up the restoration process of Avatar. It kind of blew them all away, he shares with a glint.

    “It’s hard to say this with any degree of humility, but we are really impressed with how the movie looks. Just the physical experience of the film… we’re really excited to share it with people.” 

    In Avatar, paraplegic ex-marine Jake (Sam Worthington) replaces his deceased twin on a space mission to Pandora. “You’re not in Kansas anymore,” grunts Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), head of security detail, when the troops arrive. Jake’s role, we quickly learn, is in the upstart science department, neurologically piloting tall, blue-skinned humanoids sent in to infiltrate the native Na’vi.

    Jake escapes Thanators, falls in love, links up with a giant dragon-like bird and mobilizes an epic indigenous mass movement against the greedy earthlings.

    “The first time I read the script, it had things like floating mountains and carnivorous alien cats,” recalls Sam Worthington, still giddy from the rush and adventure of it all. In the end, Sam, like everyone else involved, just went along with his director’s vision—standard protocol on any Cameron film.
    “That’s how we did it,” Sam chuckles, recalling his time inside ‘the volume’, an expansive studio floor Cameron outfitted with infrared cameras to mo-cap his actors.

    “It was Jim every day saying, “Look, I’m gonna create something that will translate to floating mountains… and I need you to jump off it.”

    Sigourney Weaver, no stranger to capricious yet fascinating ‘alien’ environments, looks back with pride that Cameron called on her to play a scientist in Avatar. She played Dr Grace Augustine, the tough, wise (and very chain-smoking) lead of the Avatar programme.

    Late in the film, she takes a fatal gunshot wound from Quaritch. “I need to get samples,” she purrs in Jake’s arms, looking up at the mystical and bioluminescent ‘Tree of Souls’ into which she’ll ultimately pass.

    “Well, you know, Jim is a scientist, and that may be his first love,” Sigourney says. “He gave my character this whole new universe of new flora and fauna, taking it so seriously. Even things that seemed impossible had incredible science behind them. He wasn’t dumbing things down for the mass audience. In fact, he was lifting ‘em up.”

  • ‘Avatar’ puts us back into childlike wonder about nature: James Cameron

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Visionary filmmaker James Cameron says his popular film “Avatar” resonated with people across cultures as it combined the themes of nature and environment with the science fiction genre.

    The multiple Oscar-winner is bringing back the 2009 blockbuster movie, starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, to the theatres for another run.

    According to Cameron, “Avatar” reminded the audience about their innate love for nature and the beauty around us.

    “I think people found a universal human experience that they could relate to. And there’s one other thing, which is when we were kids, we just innately loved nature, animals, we loved being out in nature. As our lives progress, we become more and more away from nature. And society at large anywhere in the world is suffering from nature deficit disorder of some kind. This movie puts us back into that childlike wonder about nature, about nature’s grandeur and complexity and beauty,” the director said during a virtual press conference on Monday night.

    Set in the year 2154, “Avatar” explored how humans establish a colony on a fictional moon called Pandora, populated by lush green forests, huge beasts and its native community Na’vi.

    The film focuses on Jake, a paraplegic US Marine dispatched who is transported to Pandora on a unique mission but becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.

    “From whatever culture you are in, whether you were in China, Japan, Europe and North America, it didn’t matter. People saw some universality of their lives in these characters, through this lens of science-fiction,” Cameron said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Enfant terrible’ of French new wave, Godard is dead

    “Avatar” will be re-released in English in India on September 23 by 20th Century Studios India.

    The first part of the epic science fiction film franchise arrives three months before its much-anticipated sequel ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on December 16.

    Asked about why he chose to bring back ‘Avatar’ on the big screen, Cameron said the aim is to reach out to a younger audience, who didn’t get a chance to experience the world of Pandora back then.

    “It’s been 12 years since the release and basically if you are under 22 or 23 years of age, it’s unlikely that you have seen the film in a movie theatre, which in a way means you haven’t seen the film,” the Oscar-winning filmmaker said.

    Earlier, the movie was released in 3D and now the makers have remastered it in 4K High Dynamic Range format.

    The latest version is looking better than it looked during its initial release, added Cameron.

    “There’s so many people out there, a whole new kind of generation of film fans coming up. Even if they like the movie on streaming or Blu-ray or however they see it, they still haven’t really seen the movie, the way we intended it to be seen,” he said.

    Upon its release in 2009, “Avatar” became the top-grossing film of all time at the worldwide box office with more than USD 2.8 billion in revenues.

    It was nominated for nine Academy Awards including best picture and best director, and won three Oscars, for best cinematography, production design and visual effects.

    ALSO READ | Harry Styles accepts his first acting award of Oscar season

    The film also introduced cinephiles to unforgettable visuals that came to life on celluloid through special effects.

    Cameron said while ‘Avatar’ was not the first film to use advanced computer-generated effects, it contributed to filmmaking grammar through the use of 3D technology.

    “The 3D was embraced in general for a period of time. ‘Avatar’ won best cinematography with the 3D digital camera (at that time) no digital camera had ever won the best cinematography Oscar before. And then two out of the three subsequent years, the same cameras were used by the cinematographers that won the Oscars,” he added.

    When ‘Avatar’ was released, people had thronged to theatres because of the novelty of the 3D format, said the filmmaker, adding that today technology alone can’t lure audiences to cinema halls.

    “There are other factors by which we choose a film. So, I think, it had an impact on the way films was presented, that’s now just sort of attempted and part of the zeitgeist and how it’s done. In terms of long-term cultural impact, I guess we will find out if people show up for ‘Avatar 2′.

    The experience of working with the cast and crew of Avatar was so great that it compelled him to develop the story into a franchise, he said.

    “I just look back on everybody’s work and am just so grateful to have had an opportunity to work with these amazing people. That’s why I probably went out and wrote another, and another, and another. I just wanted to continue with this family. It was just such a great experience,’ he added. 

    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ will mark the return of Worthington as Jake Sully, Saldana as Neytiri, Weaver as Dr.Grace Augustine, and Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch.

    The new entrants in the sequel include Vin Diesel and Kate Winslet, who had famously starred in Cameron’s 1997 hit ‘Titanic’, besides actors such as Cliff Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, and David Thewlis.

    MUMBAI: Visionary filmmaker James Cameron says his popular film “Avatar” resonated with people across cultures as it combined the themes of nature and environment with the science fiction genre.

    The multiple Oscar-winner is bringing back the 2009 blockbuster movie, starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, to the theatres for another run.

    According to Cameron, “Avatar” reminded the audience about their innate love for nature and the beauty around us.

    “I think people found a universal human experience that they could relate to. And there’s one other thing, which is when we were kids, we just innately loved nature, animals, we loved being out in nature. As our lives progress, we become more and more away from nature. And society at large anywhere in the world is suffering from nature deficit disorder of some kind. This movie puts us back into that childlike wonder about nature, about nature’s grandeur and complexity and beauty,” the director said during a virtual press conference on Monday night.

    Set in the year 2154, “Avatar” explored how humans establish a colony on a fictional moon called Pandora, populated by lush green forests, huge beasts and its native community Na’vi.

    The film focuses on Jake, a paraplegic US Marine dispatched who is transported to Pandora on a unique mission but becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.

    “From whatever culture you are in, whether you were in China, Japan, Europe and North America, it didn’t matter. People saw some universality of their lives in these characters, through this lens of science-fiction,” Cameron said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Enfant terrible’ of French new wave, Godard is dead

    “Avatar” will be re-released in English in India on September 23 by 20th Century Studios India.

    The first part of the epic science fiction film franchise arrives three months before its much-anticipated sequel ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on December 16.

    Asked about why he chose to bring back ‘Avatar’ on the big screen, Cameron said the aim is to reach out to a younger audience, who didn’t get a chance to experience the world of Pandora back then.

    “It’s been 12 years since the release and basically if you are under 22 or 23 years of age, it’s unlikely that you have seen the film in a movie theatre, which in a way means you haven’t seen the film,” the Oscar-winning filmmaker said.

    Earlier, the movie was released in 3D and now the makers have remastered it in 4K High Dynamic Range format.

    The latest version is looking better than it looked during its initial release, added Cameron.

    “There’s so many people out there, a whole new kind of generation of film fans coming up. Even if they like the movie on streaming or Blu-ray or however they see it, they still haven’t really seen the movie, the way we intended it to be seen,” he said.

    Upon its release in 2009, “Avatar” became the top-grossing film of all time at the worldwide box office with more than USD 2.8 billion in revenues.

    It was nominated for nine Academy Awards including best picture and best director, and won three Oscars, for best cinematography, production design and visual effects.

    ALSO READ | Harry Styles accepts his first acting award of Oscar season

    The film also introduced cinephiles to unforgettable visuals that came to life on celluloid through special effects.

    Cameron said while ‘Avatar’ was not the first film to use advanced computer-generated effects, it contributed to filmmaking grammar through the use of 3D technology.

    “The 3D was embraced in general for a period of time. ‘Avatar’ won best cinematography with the 3D digital camera (at that time) no digital camera had ever won the best cinematography Oscar before. And then two out of the three subsequent years, the same cameras were used by the cinematographers that won the Oscars,” he added.

    When ‘Avatar’ was released, people had thronged to theatres because of the novelty of the 3D format, said the filmmaker, adding that today technology alone can’t lure audiences to cinema halls.

    “There are other factors by which we choose a film. So, I think, it had an impact on the way films was presented, that’s now just sort of attempted and part of the zeitgeist and how it’s done. In terms of long-term cultural impact, I guess we will find out if people show up for ‘Avatar 2′.

    The experience of working with the cast and crew of Avatar was so great that it compelled him to develop the story into a franchise, he said.

    “I just look back on everybody’s work and am just so grateful to have had an opportunity to work with these amazing people. That’s why I probably went out and wrote another, and another, and another. I just wanted to continue with this family. It was just such a great experience,’ he added. 

    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ will mark the return of Worthington as Jake Sully, Saldana as Neytiri, Weaver as Dr.Grace Augustine, and Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch.

    The new entrants in the sequel include Vin Diesel and Kate Winslet, who had famously starred in Cameron’s 1997 hit ‘Titanic’, besides actors such as Cliff Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, and David Thewlis.

  • ‘Avatar’ to re-release on September 23

    By Express News Service

    James Cameron’s Academy Award-winning 2009 epic adventure Avatar, returns to theatres on September 23, 2022. The film will be released in 4K High Dynamic Range format. The team has released a new trailer and poster to celebrate the rerelease of the 2009 film.

    The much-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water will be releasing on December 16, 2022. The Way of Water will be followed by Avatar 3 which was shot back to back with the upcoming film. Avatar 4 and 5 will also hit production soon, but, Cameron has shared doubts about his directorial return. The director will concentrate on other projects in the meantime.

    Avatar stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Sigourney Weaver as Dr Grace Augustine, and the upcoming sequel adds Kate Winslet as Ronal among others.

    James Cameron’s Academy Award-winning 2009 epic adventure Avatar, returns to theatres on September 23, 2022. The film will be released in 4K High Dynamic Range format. The team has released a new trailer and poster to celebrate the rerelease of the 2009 film.

    The much-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water will be releasing on December 16, 2022. The Way of Water will be followed by Avatar 3 which was shot back to back with the upcoming film. Avatar 4 and 5 will also hit production soon, but, Cameron has shared doubts about his directorial return. The director will concentrate on other projects in the meantime.

    Avatar stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Sigourney Weaver as Dr Grace Augustine, and the upcoming sequel adds Kate Winslet as Ronal among others.

  • Kate Winslet’s look as Na’vi warrior Ronal from Avatar: The Way of Water out

    By Express News Service

    The first look images of English actor Kate Winslet’s character from the upcoming film, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, are out now. The images were released by British publication Empire Magazine exclusively worldwide. Kate, who previously collaborated with Cameron in Titanic, will be seen as Na’vi warrior Ronal in the second instalment of Cameron’s Avatar franchise, following the 2009 film.

    Avatar is set in the mid- 22nd century of Pandora, a habitable moon in the Alpha Centauri star system, which is colonised by humans to mine valuable minerals. In the upcoming film, Avatar: The Way of Water will explore the oceans of Pandora that will also feature new clans, creatures and adventures.

    Speaking to Empire Magazine, Kate said about her character, “She is a strong warrior. Even in the face of grave danger, and with an unborn baby on board, she still fights for what she holds most dear. Her family and their home.” In the sequel, Kate’s Ronal leads the Metkayina tribe, who live in Pandora’s oceans.

    According to reports, Winslet learned how to hold her breath underwater, which also resulted in her breaking Tom Cruise’s record of holding his breath underwater for six minutes for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. For the Avatar sequel, Kate held her breath for seven minutes and 14 seconds. The film is set to hit the theatres on December 16.

  • Avatar  sequel titled Avatar: The Way of Water

    By Express News Service

    The official title of Avatar 2 was revealed to be Avatar: The Way of Water at CinemaCon 2022. It was also announced that a remastered version of the original Avatar will be released in theatres on September 23, 2022. Producer Jon Landau has revealed that Jake and Neytiri’s family will be at the centre of each of the four sequels. Each film will have a standalone story, but all of them will be connected and will sum up a larger tale.

    Director James Cameron appeared in a pre-recorded message and said he is excited for the world to see Avatar: The Way of Water in theatres on December 16, 2022, and teased that his team has “set out once again to push the limits of what cinema can do.”

    The attendees at CinemaCon 2022 were also presented with a teaser trailer of Avatar: The Way of Water, featuring the Avatar world and underwater footage. The trailer will debut exclusively in theatres with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on May 6, and it won’t be released online until a week after.

    The official description of the sequel reads, “Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.”

    Avatar: The Way of Water will be directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Landau. The film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Winslet.