Avatar: The Way of Water finally arrives on Disney+ and Max (formerly HBO Max) this June.
The sequel to Avatar has been available digitally since March, but I've waited for director James Cameron's (Aliens) latest blockbuster to surface on Disney+, which will include bonus content featuring filmmakers, cast and crew.
Will you watch Avatar: The Way of Water on Disney+ on 7th June? Let me know in the comments below.
As Avatar: The Way of Water continues to dominate the box office, James Cameron’s Titanic is returning to cinemas this February to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
In the years before its release, I avidly followed reports of Titanic's troubled production, which suggested Twentieth Century Fox had a box office disaster comparable to Cleopatra. As the budget ballooned, Paramount Pictures stepped in to distribute the movie in the US.
At the time of Titanic’s original release in the UK, I wrote that the film had transcended my (admittedly) low expectations in the wake of a preview screening on my birthday.
In a sold-out Odeon Exeter Screen 1, I got swept away by this sepia-toned ghost story based on an infamous real-life tragedy. Nothing could've prepared the audience for the audacious spectacle and sheer grandeur that leapt from the great expanse of widescreen before us.
Cameron is indeed a master magician of montage and emotion. His craft would be further honed for Avatar.
The self-proclaimed king of the world had come of age with his Oscar-winning epic romance, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, underscored by composer James Horner’s haunting orchestrations - filled with Easter Eggs from an illustrious career cut too soon. Incidentally, I owned the original soundtrack on CD and MiniDisc. Now I can stream alternate versions on Apple Music, how times and technology have changed.
Ultimately, Titanic conquered the box office and was the first film to reach a billion dollars. The moral of the story is to never bet against Cameron.
Like Avatar, Titanic has been remastered in 4K 3D. However, I'll wait to see it on Disney+. It will be available on Paramount+ in the US.
What are your memories of watching Titanic? Let me know in the comments below.
Tickets for Avatar: The Way of Water went on sale this week. Disney released a new trailer for director James Cameron's (Titanic) long-awaited sequel.
Read the official synopsis:
"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."
Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment Production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. Screenplay by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.
The House of Mouse has bet big on Cameron's sequel and it's difficult to imagine how Avatar: The Way of Water will fail at the box office this holiday season. The movie is on track for a $175 million domestic opening and needs to bank $2 billion to break even. The true test will be the release of future sequels. At least there's always Disney+.
Avatar: The Way of Water is in cinemas on 16th December.
Are you looking forward to Avatar: The Way of Water? Let me know in the comments below.
On Wednesday, Disney dropped an official trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water on Good Morning America (GMA).
Director James Cameron (Aliens) has been working on the Avatar sequel for years. During this time, Disney bought Twentieth Century Fox's film and television assets. Cameron was given more time and money for his film franchise.
Read the official synopsis:
"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."
The sequel 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.
In the 13 years since the original Avatar was released, the 3D format has become a niche in the home market and television manufacturers have all but abandoned it in favour of 4K UHD.
The House of Mouse has bet big on Cameron's sequel for the holiday season and it's difficult to imagine how Avatar: The Way of Water will fail at the box office. Especially with the allure of immersive 3D. The true test will be the release of future sequels. At least there's always Disney+.
The original Avatar was pulled from Disney+ when the remastered movie returned to cinemas last September. Hopefully, the 4K UHD version will be on Disney+ during the holiday season.
Avatar: The Way of Water is in cinemas on 16th December.
What did you think of the Avatar: The Way of Water official trailer? Let me know in the comments below.
On Monday, Disney dropped an official teaser trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water, which was first shown at CinemaCon and exclusively in cinemas with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Director James Cameron (Titanic) has been working on the Avatar sequel for years.
Read the official synopsis:
"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."
The sequel 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.
In the 13 years since the original Avatar was released, the 3D format has become niche in the home market and television manufacturers have all but abandoned it. I recently rewatched Avatar on Disney+ and my enjoyment of 'Cameron's greatest hits collection' hasn't diminished.
It remains to be seen whether or not cinemagoers suffer from the so-called 'Pandora blues' this holiday season.
The House of Mouse has bet big on Cameron's sequel and it's difficult to imagine how Avatar: The Way of Water will fail at the box office. Especially with the allure of immersive 3D. The true test will be the release of future sequels. At least there's always Disney+.
Avatar: The Way of Water is in cinemas on 16th December.
What did you think of the Avatar: The Way of Water teaser trailer? Let me know in the comments below.
The 13-year wait to return to Pandora is almost over. The first sequel to Avatar (2009), Avatar: The Way of Water, will be in cinemas this holiday season.
Director James Cameron (Aliens) made the announcement during Disney's presentation at CinemaCon 2022 in Las Vegas.
"We wanted our return to Pandora to be something really special," Cameron told the CinemaCon attendees. "We set out once again to push the limits of what cinema can do."
The sequel 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.
In preparation for the upcoming sequel’s release. The original Avatar will be remastered and back in cinemas on 23rd September. Cameron's sci-fi epic was 3D's killer app in cinemas and at home. Panasonic Hollywood Laboratories (PHL) was instrumental in the early success of the format.
A trailer will be exclusively shown with Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. There'll be a week delay before it's officially released online. Let's see how quickly someone uploads it.
Avatar: The Way of Water is in cinemas on 16th December.
Are you looking forward to Avatar: The Way of Water? Let me know in the comments below.
Academy Award-winning director James Cameron (Titanic) took a break from working on his Avatar sequels to become the latest member of a growing pantheon of creatives to be featured on MasterClass.
"From The Terminator and Titanic to Avatar, James Cameron has directed some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. Now, for the first time in his 40-year career, he opens up about his process. Through behind-the-scenes breakdowns, James shares his approach to developing ideas, storylines, and characters; harnessing technology; and worldbuilding on any budget. Explore the innovation and imagination behind epic moviemaking."
“I’ve been directing films for almost four decades, and if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s that learning is a constant process,” Cameron said in a statement. “Every filmmaker stands on the shoulders of the filmmakers who came before them, and I hope that my MasterClass will allow members to filter and develop my techniques through their own subjective lens and experiences.”
Added MasterClass founder and CEO David Rogier: “Having directed two of the top three highest-grossing films of all time, there’s no question the impact that Jim has had on both the film industry and film fans around the world. In his class, Jim takes our members behind the camera and, for the first time in his career, shares what he’s learned in four decades of directing epic films.”
25 years ago I graduated with a degree in Media Production from Bournemouth University. Cameron, along with contemporaries George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, inspired me to pursue a career in the creative arts.
As I've written previously, a textual analysis of Terminator 2: Judgment Day (handwritten and lost to time) garnered unconditional offers to study on several university courses, which was in stark contrast to what a high school career tutor suggested would ever be possible as outlined here.
Will you be watching James Cameron's MasterClass? Let me know in the comments below.
Avengers: Endgame ends Avatar's decade-spanning reign at the top of the box office.
Director James Cameron congratulated the Russo brothers on the achievement as he did previously when Endgame beat Titanic.
Cameron posted on Avatar’s official Twitter account: "Oel ngati kameie, I see you Marvel – Congratulations to Avengers Endgame on becoming the new box-office King."
Avatar is now a Disney franchise, following the acquisition of Twentieth Century Fox's film and television assets earlier this year, and the first sequel is expected in cinemas December 2021.
During San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced Phase 4 beginning with Black Widow starring Scarlett Johansson.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga, spanning three trilogies, this December. However, a new trilogy begins in December 2022 with sequels released in 2024 and 2026 respectively.
This seemingly contradicts Disney CEO Bob Iger's comments regarding the franchise going on hiatus following saturation. However, that's relative given the three-year gap, something original trilogy fans (myself included) were used to, between The Rise of Skywalker and first instalment of the next trilogy.
No details have been released regarding whether the trilogy is from director Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi) or Game of Thrones' showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff.
The House of Mouse has also announced it's releasing James Cameron's four Avatar sequels every other year starting in 2021. Disney will continue to dominate the box office in the next decade with its Avatar, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Star Wars franchises.
“We’re excited to put in place a robust and diverse slate that lays the foundation of our long-term strategy, bringing together a breadth of films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Fox, Fox Searchlight and Blue Sky Studios to create an extraordinary collection of cinematic experiences for audiences around the world,” said Cathleen Taff, president of theatrical distribution, franchise management, and business and audience insights at The Walt Disney Studios.
“With a strong summer already in place, we are eager to carry that momentum forward over the coming years thanks to a creative wellspring of bold and imaginative stories coming from our world-class studios – including several new chapters of two revered franchises, Avatar and Star Wars.”
You can't keep a 40-year-old xenomorph down for long. The Alien and Planet of the Apes franchises aren't going anywhere now that Disney has completed its acquisition of Fox's film and television assets.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox’s Emma Watts, speaking during CinemaCon, said the Walt Disney Company has plans for the Avatar, Kingsman, Alien and Planet of the Apes franchises:
“We intend to do our part, and it is in that spirit that we will continue to create new stories.”
Given Disney's successful reboot of the Star Wars franchise, don't be surprised to see a new series of Alien movies with big-name directors at the helm.
In the meantime, director James Cameron's toiling away on his Avatar sequels for the House of Mouse. Expect these to fill the December void vacated by Star Wars, after this Christmas' conclusion to the Skywalker saga in Episode IX, for the foreseeable future.
IGN continues to showcase selected fan films to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Alien in the run-up to Alien Day on 26th April.
What Alien stories would you like told? Let me know in the comments below.
Dua Lipa's anthemic Swan Song, taken from Alita: Battle Angel, is accompanied by a suitably post-apocalyptic video that evokes Mad Max and WALL-E.
Directed by Floria Sigismondi, the video places Lipa in the film’s environment. Sigismondi explains “While in the film Alita is quite literally on a journey to discover who she is, her story serves as a really powerful allegory for any girl who doesn’t yet know her own power. I wanted to play with that same profound notion by dropping Dua into a facet of Alita’s world and allowing Alita to serve as a surrogate that leads her on a journey to discover she’s stronger than she ever could have imagined.”
Alita: Battle Angel, from visionary directors James Cameron (Avatar) and Robert Rodriguez (Sin City), is in cinemas 6th February.
Alita: Battle Angel, from visionary directors James Cameron (Avatar) and Robert Rodriguez (Sin City), is in cinemas next month. The long-gestating film adaptation of Yukito Kishiro's manga pushes the boundaries of visual effects.
In related news. James Cameron has completed principal photography on Avatar 2 and 3. These sequels will be in cinemas December 2020 and 2021 respectively. Disney's acquisition of Fox's film and television assets will see Avatar fill the void whilst Star Wars fans wait for new trilogies.
Alita: Battle Angel has been in development by director James Cameron (Avatar) for decades. Finally, fans of the original manga will be able to see the iconic character, brought to life by actress Rosa Salazar and the wizards of Weta, in action on the big screen next February.
Twentieth Century Fox, currently in the process of being acquired by Disney, wisely moved Alita: Battle Angel away from an overcrowded holiday season thus avoiding a Christmas clash with both Bumblebee and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Robert Rodriguez (Sin City) is at the helm with Cameron producing as he's currently steeped in pre-production on multiple Avatar sequels.
Winona Ryder was linked to play Alita: Battle Angel back in the mid-nineties with director James Cameron (Avatar) at the helm. This December, Robert Rodriguez's live-action cyberpunk movie, produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, is released in theatres.
"From visionary filmmakers James Cameron (AVATAR) and Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY), comes ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, an epic adventure of hope and empowerment. When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past – she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she’s grown to love."
James Cameron has handed directing chores to Robert Rodriguez as he's in pre-production on sequels to Avatar. Presumably, these will go ahead following Disney's acquisition of Fox's film and television assets.
Alita: Battle Angel seemingly has far more heart and soul than Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson. Comparisons to Detroit: Become Human and Ready Player One are... welcome. That said, Alita's divisive large eyes, in homage to the original manga created by Yukito Kishiro, speaks to the uncanny valley but with cutting-edge visual effects further honed, since the teaser trailer, due to the release date being pushed back from July to December. Alita will go up against Bumblebee this holiday season.
I've long loved Japanimation of which the live-action Alita: Battle Angel is so evocative. The opening shot from the trailer reminded me of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and Avengers: Infinity War. The Spirits Within was released in the wake of PS2 and Aki Ross (Ming-Na), evidently based on Sandra Bullock, adorned magazine covers everywhere in the summer of 2001. The hype was real. So much so, I discussed the upcoming movie with fellow PlayStation fans during lunch breaks. Whilst The Spirits Within was a critical flop and lead to the closure of Square Pictures, the CGI animation was phenomenal and holds up. Mostly.
Alita: Battle Angel, directed by Robert Rodriguez, stars Rosa Salazar, Eiza González, Jennifer Connelly, Michelle Rodriguez, Mahershala Ali, Christoph Waltz, and Jackie Earle Haley. It will be in cinemas 21st December.
Really looking forward to this and it stars my other teen crush, Jennifer Connelly. What are your thoughts on Alita: Battle Angel? Let me know in the comments below.
As expected Disney has bought 20th Century Fox for over $52 billion dollars. This encompasses film and television assets including Sky.
The Alien, Avatar, Buffy, X-Men and The X-Files franchises, to name just a few, will bolster the Mouse House's content ahead of launching its own streaming service to rival Netflix. The company will also have a controlling stake in Hulu.
Disney now has the rights to the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, which Fox originally owned in perpetuity. Timely in the wake of The Last Jedi premiering in cinemas this week.
Bob Iger will remain Disney CEO through 2021. Presumably to oversee the successful acquisition that will disrupt the Hollywood studio system.
Are directors Sir Ridley Scott and James Cameron seemingly in friendly competition at 20th Century Fox? Both are expanding their respective sci-fi franchises.
Alien and Avatar will serve up a sequel avalanche over the next decade as the studio battles Disney with its Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Star Wars sequels. The latter once had pride of place at 20th Century Fox before the Mouse House bought Lucasfilm in 2012.
Speaking to Fandango, a booking site dedicated to film fandom, at SXSW Film Festival, Ridley Scott outlined his vision for four more Alien prequels.
"It will go Prometheus, Awakening, Covenant.. fairly integral where this colonization ship is on the way...."
Presumably, the director meant Prometheus, Covenant and Awakening, which begins principal photography as early as 2018. Actress Katherine Waterston called him out on potential spoilers. "You're giving away too much!", she screamed.
Scott continues, “If this is successful, and then the next one, and then there will definitely be three more.”
Will the franchise remain truly alien after six prequels? Let me know in the comments below.
Star Wars: Episode VIII gets pushed back to 15th December 2017, as part of a strategic move by Disney, and pundits excitedly predicted it would go up against James Cameron's Avatar sequel in a fierce festive box office battle. However, it looks like the return to Pandora has been delayed, again, according to a report in The Wrap.
Cameron has yet to begin principle photography and Twentieth Century Fox has not issued a new release date for the next installment, nor the further two sequels shot back-to-back in New Zealand.
Given the director's propensity for perfection, developing new and ambitious technologies, and prolonged post-production. It's highly possible the Avatar franchise won't continue until the conclusion of the new Star Wars trilogy at Disney in 2019.
Star Wars fans will have to wait seven more months for the release of Episode VIII!
The Force Awakens sequel, written and directed by Rian Johnson, has been moved from 26th May, which marks the 40th anniversary of the original Star Wars' release in the US, to 15th December 2017. Pitting the Star Wars franchise directly against James Cameron's sequel to Avatar during the lucrative Christmas release window.
This makes more sense. The Force Awakens was a critical and commercial success last December, gives Johnson time to make a darker sequel to rival The Empire Strikes Back and Disney can spread its tentpole blockbuster franchises more evenly throughout the year. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Lies will now occupy the 26th May release date.
Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story should bridge the gap this December.
Star Wars: Episode VIII begins principal photography in London next month.
Move aside Skyfall. There's a new box office king in town.
After only 22 days of release, the latest installment in the Star Wars saga has passed £100 million at the UK box office and continues its record-breaking ascent.
This during a week that witnessed The Force Awakens surpassing Avatar's domestic box office gross to become the number one movie of all-time in the US. The movie still has some way to go to eclipse James Cameron's sci-fi movie's global tally, but the force has a lot of power...
All eyes are now on China where the new Star Wars movie opens on 9th January.
Briefly emerging from seasonal slumber to catch up with Star Wars: The Force Awakens' box office tally before New Year.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the new movie has taken over a billion dollars at the box office. This is unprecedented in such a short time frame and suggests The Force Awakens may surpass James Cameron's Avatar as the biggest grossing movie of all time.
"You almost have to rewrite all the record books for this movie," box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak said. "It's absolutely mind-blowing that 'Star Wars' could get to a billion dollars in 12 days and it hasn't even opened in China, the second biggest movie market in the world."
"It's great for the audiences, great for studios and theater owners in particular who can point to this and say the movie theater industry is as viable and relevant as it's ever been," he said.
Through the good times and bad, Star Wars is the defining film in my life. Thank you, George Lucas!
