AVATAR RETURNS

The long delay for a sequel to 2009 superhit Avatar has largely been caused by the wait for technology to be invented that matches director James Cameron’s ambitious vision. But now the moviemaker finally has the tools he needs and the next chapter in the sci-fi saga is set for release in December 2022. Cameron says of the advanced tech, “It’s all insanely complicated.” But its mind-blowing impact could change movies forever. Avatar 2 features so many industry changing innovations that it will open up new worlds of possibilities for films to do what was previously unthinkable. Among them is the first ever use of motion capture filming underwater, which is needed because so much of the follow up takes place beneath the waves of the planet Pandora.

GOES DEEP The cast – which includes Kate Winslet, along with stars of the original movie, like Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana – had to film many of their scenes in a specially built 900,000 gallon water tank while wearing motion capture suits (see below). Those scenes will be mixed with computer generated imagery and live action sequences to make Avatar 2, quite possibly, the most spectacular production ever put on film.