It feels like with every update that comes up for Avatar 2 and 3, the status of the project takes two giant steps back. We’ve already heard that Cameron would like to film the Avatar sequels back-to-back, and possibly make the fourth movie a prequel. Now Cameron is giving us a few details as to why the development for the Avatar sequels have been taking so long.
In an interview with The LA Times, Cameron revealed he is taking his time with writing the scripts for the first and second sequel, and that it could be completed before the end of the year. But writing two individual scripts for a films that will have one collective idea is proving to be difficult for the seasoned filmmaker.
It’s a little bit of a daunting writing task because it’s two scripts and they’ve both gotta be done at the same time. I’m writing it as separate stories that have an overall arc inclusive of the first film. I don’t want to suffer from the ‘Matrix 2′ problem, where it just ends, like, what the hell? It’s gotta end. There’s gotta be a sense of conclusion, but also a sense that the journey will continue, and that’s a fine line.
Most films that shoot back-to-back have mixed results. While that filmmaking style may have worked for Lord of the Rings, it has proven to be a disastrous for Pirates of the Caribbean. Obviously the weak story was overshadowed by Cameron’s use of motion capture technology and 3D, but the director doesn’t expect to repeat some of the mistakes he made and intends to surpass the first film in every way.
Hearing that Cameron is putting so much time and effort into the script gives me some hope that the story will be better this time around. I imagine since Avatar was such a box office hit for Fox, he has been given a lot more room to creatively express himself both in the story and in the visuals. But we’ll have to see if Cameron can truly deliver a great story.
[Source: The LA Times]
