The Making of Avatar

James Cameron’s movie, Avatar, is a science-fiction thriller that has been in the works since the director’s successful hit movie, Titanic. Considering over half of the movie is CGI, it is no wonder the heavily computerized project was too expensive (costing an estimated $400 million) for the 1997 technology.

As computer animation progressed and movies like Lord of the Rings showed the potential of CGI and a successful merging of the live action and CGI, the hope for producing Avatar was revived. Avatar is an entirely original work that is not associated with any comic book or other franchise.

Avatar Movie

With a theme that includes aliens and Sigourney Weaver in one of the lead roles, there has been speculation that Avatar will be similar to one of James Cameron’s early successes, Aliens. Although Michael Biehn, one of the lead actors in Aliens, was originally consulted about playing one of the main characters, it was decided that this would invite too many comparisons and Stephan Lang accepted the part. Movie goers will see an entirely different planet populated by humanoid aliens. Unlike the cold confines of Aliens, Avatar takes place in a lush environment, and was filmed in Hawaii.

The movie’s premise portrays humans as more the bad guy a couple of centuries in the future. Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, is a paralyzed Marine who is given a chance to leave Earth and go to Pandora. His task is to participate in the Avatar project, which wants to exploit the resources on the alien moon. The human-like aliens, called Navi, are threatened by the earthling intrusion into their territory. While they are normally a peaceful race, the Navi are also skilled fighters who are left with little choice but to defend their home. Because humans cannot breathe on Pandora, they have created Avatars.

Avatar Pandora

Avatars are a genetically engineered crossbreed of humans and Navi that do not think for themselves. Humans control the Avatars through a type of telepathy. This is Jake’s incentive to go to Pandora as it will give him a chance to walk, although vicariously, through one of the Avatars. He will be a scout for finding the minerals and resources sought by the humans. This leads him into a new world where he gets caught between the mission and the Navi.

Avatar Navi

With roughly 1,000 staff, a budget reportedly approaching $500 million, 14 years of anticipation, and increasingly heightened expectations, Avatar promises to attract a lot of attention. The initial release was postponed for more than half a year to ensure that the special effects where perfected. They also wanted to make sure that the film would work with the new 3D technology being installed in theaters since the Avatar can be shown in 3D. After ten years on the shelf, two years in production, and another two years in post-production (nearly a record for time in post-production), Avatar will finally hit boxes offices December 18, 2009. Ironically, this historically corresponds with the release of his Titanic masterpiece. Have you read Avatar movie review?


 
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Comments submitted from other visitors

Name :

Nihar

Comment:

Good Job Mr.James...........You are a great source of inspiration

Name :

hmb

Comment:

best movie ive seen all year... gw people

Name :

Comment:

this is the best movie i've seen this year... Yes, the special effects are superb...and the story itself is breath-taking... ten-thumbs up.

Name :

Rob Day

Comment:

By far, the best SCI-FI Movie that I have ever seen. I recommend seeing it in 3D. The special effects are incredible!

Name :

Alyssa

Comment:

Wow, BY FAR the best movie I have ever seen. The effects were unbelievable and the plot was amazing ; it must have taken some lively imagination! Not to mention it was really original. A movie I'd definately recommend. Those 14 years really paid off! I give this work of art ten stars... out of five! ♥ :)

Name :

hansaa

Comment:

its absurd. what nonsense all the plot is about... one person enters a machine and enters a different planet where the natives look very similar to humans on earth and speak english with american accent and surprisingly russian... y dont aliens or these kind of people speak any asian languages??..crap

Name :

jay

Comment:

this is to hansaa maybe they spoke like americans and they spoke english becuase americans tought them how to speak it has that ever crossed your mind. idiots need to stop watching movies and then spewing out mindless blabber becuase they were to do to grasp the basic concepts easily layed out in the plot. shut the fuck up if you dont like the movie dont comment......... and oh best Fucking movie i've ever seen

Name :

ram

Comment:

good film in the year

Name :

MEMNON @ Javith

Comment:

Jaw dropping visuals, awesome screenplay and high end creativity and technology used in this movie.. What do you need more than this to make your dream in to a perfect visual... :) Thumbs up JC...

Name :

Javaid Shaikh

Comment:

Hi I am famous Pakistani director Javaid Shaikh. I will come up with similar movie but more advanced and far superior than Avatar. The film is "De-Maar" and it stars Shan and Reema. Be prepared for this mega budget movie with CGI effects and estimated budget of $1Billion

Name :

Audrey Saloman

Comment:

Superb Movie... 14 years paid off.... best ever ....

Name :

siddharth

Comment:

this deserves a bow,! sir cameron its beyond d word beyond,! fabulous, speechless, thanks alot,

Name :

Kori

Comment:

No words can accuratly describe this movie. It is a must see movie!

Name :

meshack

Comment:

why does it have to end like that? we need more chance or the making of part 2. is the best I have seen so far.

Name :

Dr Steve

Comment:

One of the finest and more thought provoking as well as mind blowing movies I've ever seen. Excellent!!

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