Cameron talks Avatar rerelease, wants to compete with Tolkien, Lucas and Rodenberry
Aug. 26, 2010
James Cameron has a rather lengthy interview with the LA Times concerning the re-release of AVATAR in theaters. He claims that since ALICE IN WONDERLAND and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON stole half his 3D screens when they were released, many people didn't get the chance to see it in its "true form."
I'm not here to debate the merits of the re-release, as I've already stated that yes, of course it's a cash grab, but it's a cash grab that the studio has every right to make. No one's forcing you to see it. But rather I wanted to focus on one quote near the end of the piece.
Cameron admires the universes created by George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry and the man who now has the two highest-grossing films of all-time (Cameron's "Titanic" from 1997 still floats there at No. 2 worldwide with $1.8 billion) openly admits that he aspires to compete with his own cosmic aspirations.
"You've got to compete head on with these other epic works of fantasy and fiction, the Tolkiens and the ‘Star Wars' and the ‘Star Treks,'" Cameron said. "People want a persistent alternate reality to invest themselves in and they want the detail that makes it rich and worth their time. They want to live somewhere else. Like Pandora."
Despite all its monetary and even critical accomplishments, I think that one thing the soon-to-be AVATAR series will NOT have is eternally lasting appeal like LOTR, STAR WARS or STAR TREK. Those franchises have been around for dozens and dozens of years, and you can "oh time will tell with AVATAR," but I just don't think the magic is there.
Why? Well if you ask me, it's the completely lack of a cast of memorable characters, something all the other series have, and the core reason as to why they work. Yes, they all have crazy action and great visuals, but it's the characters that are the most memorable pieces. The Fellowship of the Ring from LOTR, the crew from any STAR TREK ship, Vader, Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, etc. from STAR WARS. These are characters who have stayed with us most of our lives most likely.
Who does AVATAR have at this point? Jake Sully and Neytiri, as nearly all the extraneous characters, both heroes and villains alike, were killed off in the first film. And the fact is, giant blue people and a landsacpe of rainbow colored animals and plants is fundamentally not as cool of a universe as any of those other franchises. It may be well designed, and I may think AVATAR was a solid film, but one with lasting impact outside of its visuals? I think not.
What say you?
| Extra Tidbit: | Sam Worthington isn't even that convincing as a human, and it's even harder to empathize with him in a CGI body. |
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| Source: | LA Times |
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among many other things of course.
among many other things of course.
The first would be some sort of game changer in the plot. Having Arnold become the good guy in T2 is a great example of this because it forced the characters, and audience, to view the "machines" in a different light and was far more interesting than just "new bad guy who's even more dangerous!".
The second would be for Cameron to re-realize that he's much better at writing compelling women than he is men (Sarah
The first would be some sort of game changer in the plot. Having Arnold become the good guy in T2 is a great example of this because it forced the characters, and audience, to view the "machines" in a different light and was far more interesting than just "new bad guy who's even more dangerous!".
The second would be for Cameron to re-realize that he's much better at writing compelling women than he is men (Sarah Connor, Ripley, even Rose in Titanic had a more compelling character arc than Jack) and taking the focus off Jake Sully.
On a side note, I will defend to the grave that even though Cameron's Aliens is a decent movie it still pales in comparison to the first Alien from Ridley.
He already has his.....
I agree with Paul's answer, but not his logic...
Similarly, Star Trek built up that world over time. Having NextGen take place 100 years AFTER the world already established in Original was genius
Similarly, Star Trek built up that world over time. Having NextGen take place 100 years AFTER the world already established in Original was genius because, again, you're building on a foundation.
Star WARS is, I think, the weakest of the three. This is predominantly because the story BEGINS in chapter 4, before the foundation is built. And we all know that when he finally went back and BUILT that foundation in chapters 1-2-3, he kind of fucked it up a bit.
So enduring characters, yes, that's important. But I think the real test of time is going to lay on the shoulders of whether the politics, geography and mythology are firmly established and not messed with.
Oh, by the way, this is why Harry Potter is in danger of NOT being re-read 50 years from now (in contrast to LOTR) -- JKR did NOT have a concrete foundation...her "rules of magic" changed throughout the books...she also failed miserably to explain how an entire magic society (monsters and all) can actually, believably co-exist next to the "muggle world", which put cracks into her foundation. I predict Harry Potter will not survive the test of time, nor will Avater.
I agree with you cupajoe: Terminator is his memorable film!
Lost my faith in Cameron
I completely agree with Paul on all counts. This
I completely agree with Paul on all counts. This just is not a good idea. There are no worth while characters to keep this franchise alive. We all know that the visuals would be fueling this. And that's it.
You Already Did It
Wah-wah-waaaaaaah. Sad Face.
Wah-wah-waaaaaaah. Sad Face.
How about in Return of the Jedi when Luke decides to strike at Vader in the darkness and that deep Emperor theme plays. It gives me chills every
How about in Return of the Jedi when Luke decides to strike at Vader in the darkness and that deep Emperor theme plays. It gives me chills every time!
Not once during Avatar did I get REALLY excited for something, or even moved by anything.. This is the problem. If he fixes this issue and gives us a better connection with the characters in Avatar 2, maybe we can forgive him lol.. But honestly i dont think he gives a shit when he looks at his bank statement.
He can do it.
Now if only they made a better hard R Star Wars film...
Now if only they made a better hard R Star Wars film...
And as far as the re-release being a cash grab, well when your film is still making 20 mil a weekend and you loose half your screens I think it's a fair call to say your film didn't reach it's full potential. For every film that's a sucess three more
And as far as the re-release being a cash grab, well when your film is still making 20 mil a weekend and you loose half your screens I think it's a fair call to say your film didn't reach it's full potential. For every film that's a sucess three more aren't. Avatar's success will no doubt finance several other movies you may actually like.
Oh and what, he's an A-hole for being ambitious???
That's why he has the two biggest films in the world and you sleep on your moms couch.
Get a life you clowns.
two-cents.
Star Wars is FULL of flat characters. The first time I ever remembered watching
two-cents.
Star Wars is FULL of flat characters. The first time I ever remembered watching Star Wars, I was passionately ready to hate Luke for the rest of the series, but as time went on, and my intellect subsided in favor of my emotional core, that whiny kid from the first film became my favorite.
Avatar is not prefect. But hating it is such a waste of time.
i am your god!!
BOO!
Let the Flaming Begin
But, even if he doesn't I'll still watch it because it is interesting. I just wonder what else is on this planet and the planets around it. I am also hoping that we can see more space shots and stuff.
But, all-in-all I think it is too early for both
But, even if he doesn't I'll still watch it because it is interesting. I just wonder what else is on this planet and the planets around it. I am also hoping that we can see more space shots and stuff.
But, all-in-all I think it is too early for both sides to judge the Avatar franchise with this.
Sorry James
Character Flaws
characters...
Tolkien not Tolkein
Wow..
Sorry Jimmy
Give the man his day in court
Cameron must be stuck in Limbo
Persistent Reality
Who wants to live on Pandora? Yeah, I'd love to go to a planet where, as a human, I'm either a one-dimensional asshole villain or a one-dimensional self-loathing asshole whose only happy if they can "trade up" to a "superior" race. There is no sense of escapism. Basically the message is "if you're a human, you're a putz, and these cats are way cooler than you'll ever
Who wants to live on Pandora? Yeah, I'd love to go to a planet where, as a human, I'm either a one-dimensional asshole villain or a one-dimensional self-loathing asshole whose only happy if they can "trade up" to a "superior" race. There is no sense of escapism. Basically the message is "if you're a human, you're a putz, and these cats are way cooler than you'll ever be." Yeah, that makes me want to live there . . .
Seriously, when even your best creation, Terminator, was bit from a short story by Harlan Ellison, you lost the credibility to create anything original. Avatard just sealed the deal.
Seriously, when even your best creation, Terminator, was bit from a short story by Harlan Ellison, you lost the credibility to create anything original. Avatard just sealed the deal.
Sorry Jimmy...
WHATEVER ...
Can you Plan this?
About Time!!!
avatar 2 = a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, na'vi hobbits use something called the fo'rce to go where no na'vi has gone before.
avatar 2 = a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, na'vi hobbits use something called the fo'rce to go where no na'vi has gone before.
Cameron is a cocky SOB.
Can't compare
The one franchise that I thought did an amazing job building up lore and setting itself up for an expanding universe through multi mediums is a franchise that people turned their back to. The Matrix. It may seem like a couple of shitty sequels but there's so
The one franchise that I thought did an amazing job building up lore and setting itself up for an expanding universe through multi mediums is a franchise that people turned their back to. The Matrix. It may seem like a couple of shitty sequels but there's so much to sink your teeth into. I would have loved more to come out of those. Oh well. James Cameron (and fans) know what they need and want. Apparently that's more blue.
I won't be watching it or it's sequels, big screen or small. They tricked me out of my money once. That's enough.
Meh
The characters in Avatar are all Jar Jar Binks (albeit not nearly as annoying) and computer animated giant creatures. Not the same connection.
The characters in Avatar are all Jar Jar Binks (albeit not nearly as annoying) and computer animated giant creatures. Not the same connection.