Peter Bart: James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ Movies Represent Titanic Commitment In A Changing World
16.12.2022 - 02:25
/ deadline.com
When James Cameron delivered Avatar in 2009, none of us quite grasped that this was not a movie but a constellation of movies – one that will represent a multibillion-dollar investment in the coming years. One iteration is even booked for 2028.
Lesser filmmakers may think from film to film, but Cameron thinks cross-generational. Not since 1928 when Mickey Rooney committed to 34 Andy Hardy movies and shorts has anyone contemplated this sort of longevity (OK, a dubious analogy).
In 1972, Francis Coppola famously announced that, from a filmmaker’s standpoint, sequels suggest a creative void. Even Cameron himself once agreed, pointing out, ”Spielberg didn’t make ET Returns.”
It was a million-dollar deal that changed Coppola’s mind — hence Godfather II. And Cameron’s pricey sequels already have sub-sequels; he’s already shot Avatar 3 and finished the script for Avatar 5.
Flashing his imperial smile, Cameron would argue the Avatar series represents a cultural force and a prophecy on climate change, not a Marvel-like game plan. Indeed, this week’s opening of Avatar: The Way of Water has a surreal backstory colored by Cameron’s other movie — the one titled Titanic.
Hollywood circa 2022 finds itself in a confused and defeatist mood after suffering through a dismal autumn. Precisely 25 years ago, Titanic came ashore in an astonishingly similar set of circumstances, with Hollywood also cowering from a succession of bombs.
Cameron didn’t have time to notice. Titanic was the most expensive movie of all time and became the industry’s first to gross $1 billion. As captain of the boat, he instantly proclaimed himself King of the World.
Not without trauma: Cameron’s production represented the biggest budget overrun on record,