The James Cameron new movie 'Avatar could get nine Oscar nominations (best picture
, director, visual effects, editing, art direction, sound, sound editing, score and song). Cinematography, costumes and makeup are more of a stretch, given how much of that work was done digitally.
, director, visual effects, editing, art direction, sound, sound editing, score and song). Cinematography, costumes and makeup are more of a stretch, given how much of that work was done digitally.
'Avatar' starring by Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang and was produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox. 'Avatar' had been in development since 1994 by James Cameron, who wrote a 114-page scriptment for the film. Filming was supposed to take place after the completion of Titanic, and the film would have been released in 1999, but according to Cameron, "technology needed to catch up" with his vision of the film. In early 2006, Cameron developed the script, the language, and the culture of Pandora. He has stated that if Avatar is successful, two sequels to the film are planned. The film was released in traditional 2-D and 3-D formats (specifically RealD), along with an IMAX 3D release in selected theaters. Avatar is officially budgeted at $237 million; other estimates put the cost at $280 – $310 million to produce and an estimated $150 million for marketing. The film is being touted as a breakthrough in terms of filmmaking technology, for its development of 3D viewing and stereoscopic filmmaking with cameras that were specially designed for the film's production. Opening to critical acclaim, it grossed an estimated $27 million on its opening day and an estimated $77,025,481 domestically its opening weekend.
Worldwide, the film grossed an estimated $232,180,000 its opening weekend, the ninth largest opening-weekend gross of all time, and the largest for a non-franchise, non-sequel and original film. It is also considered to be a front-runner for awards and nominations at the 82nd Academy Awards.
Worldwide, the film grossed an estimated $232,180,000 its opening weekend, the ninth largest opening-weekend gross of all time, and the largest for a non-franchise, non-sequel and original film. It is also considered to be a front-runner for awards and nominations at the 82nd Academy Awards.
But even though "Avatar" isn't expected to pick up the 14 noms that "Titanic" commanded, if it makes it into best picture contention, that will be an achievement in itself since the Academy -- at least under its old five-pic rule poise -- has been fairly resistant to fantasy and sci-fi movies in its top category.
Since 1977's "Star Wars," only 1982's "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" and the three "Lord of the Rings" movies at the beginning of this decade have made that select list of nominees. A movie like 1993's "Jurassic Park" -- groundbreaking in its day -- had to settle for visual effects and two sound noms, all of which it won.
"Avatar" is looking like it will join that club -- and potentially attract lots of self-proclaimed Avartards to the March 7 Oscar broadcast as well.
Adam Shankman, who's producing the show with Bill Mechanic, certainly was jazzed when he tweeted early Monday: "'Avatar' is not only brilliant but has the most powerful environmental message of the year. Amazing. Game-changer." Cue the dancing Na'vi.Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX589W 5.1-Channel Theater System (Black)
'Avatar' earned $3,537,000 from domestic (United States and Canada) midnight screenings, partly due to the fact that it was limited to 2,200 3D screens The film earned $27 million on its opening day, and $77,025,481 over its opening weekend domestically, making it the second largest December opening ever, behind I Am Legend, and the 25th largest national US weekend opening, despite a blizzard which blanketed the East Coast of the United States and reportedly hurt its opening weekend.
Avatar's worldwide gross was an estimated $232,180,000 after three days, the ninth largest opening-weekend gross of all time, and the largest for a non-franchise, non-sequel and original Film
(adjusted for inflation, it would rank second after The Da Vinci Code regarding a non-franchise, non-sequel opening). To date (December 2009), the film has grossed $109,497,762 domestically and $191,811,230 internationally, with a worldwide total of 301,308,992.
Avatar's worldwide gross was an estimated $232,180,000 after three days, the ninth largest opening-weekend gross of all time, and the largest for a non-franchise, non-sequel and original Film (adjusted for inflation, it would rank second after The Da Vinci Code regarding a non-franchise, non-sequel opening). To date (December 2009), the film has grossed $109,497,762 domestically and $191,811,230 internationally, with a worldwide total of 301,308,992.
