EXCLUSIVE: Source Update On AVATAR Sequels ! Something More Valuable Than Unobtainium !! More Worlds!

Ok guys - here's the latest on James Cameron's upcoming AVATAR 2 (nothing concrete yet on the others)! You know MarketSaw is best known for it's AVATAR and STAR WARS coverage, well we're continuing in that tradition today. First the STAR WARS update, and now AVATAR.

Pandora awaits, so let's dive into it (pun intended):

My source is in italics:
"The Avatar universe is progressing through various changes and stages. It's going to be the most ambitious post ever attempted. As I told you many years ago Stephen Lang is going to assume his iconic role again. In more ways than one next time out."
- Probably the most ambitious due to a combination of Cameron's scale and pushing the limits of his team and the effort it will take in post-production to handle 4K 3D in 48 or 60 frames per second!

"Suites are being upgraded to allow for a quicker post workflow, allowing the elements captured to be integrated into architecture in a less cumbersome load out, and allowing for more dexterity to be captured in real-time."
- Cameron's performance capture volume is going to be a thing of beauty! Would love to see shooting in action.

"There are going to be many battles, both above and below Pandora. Other solar bodies in the system will be explored too and will have interesting inter-connectivity. Big ideas, epic in scope, hard science, and the future military getting the green light to teach those naughty natives a lesson, only to stumble onto something far more valuable than unobtainium. It's going to be 'big' in all senses of the word, and that's just 2."
- Hello. Something more valuable than Unobtainium ($20 million a kilo)! What physical properties will THAT have? What fantastic environment will that create for us to explore? I love the hard science Cameron puts into his stories too. Of particular note here is the inter-connectivity between worlds! So an extension of Eywa? Something more sinister or a greater defense possibility against humans? A lot of questions. "Big" in quotes? Perhaps larger fauna for humans to deal with...

More when I get it! AVATAR 2 is slated for a December 2016 release.
 

Further Confirmation Of Our Exclusive: Mark Hamill Says Original Cast In Talks...

Yes - Mark Hamill has chimed in on the story we broke back in November that the original cast will be back for the third trilogy, the real possibility of including the Skywalker offspring as characters and that the tone of the new trilogy will be much closer to Ep IV, V and VI then I, II and III.

I've been paying very close attention to franchise developments especially since we broke the story that there will indeed be a new STAR WARS trilogy and that it will be in 3D. In fact, Steve Sansweet even had the gall to to call our story ignorant and stupid. One of the beautiful things about the Internet is that it never forgets :-)

Anyway, Hamill had a few things to say on the subject:
(On whether he will appear in STAR WARS VII):  "They're talking to us. George [Lucas] wanted to know whether we'd be interested. He did say that if we didn't want to do it, they wouldn't cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out. … I can tell you right away that we haven't signed any contracts. We're in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were postponed -- on their end, not mine. They're more busy than I am."

(On the tone he would like to see used with STAR WARS VII): "I said to George that I wanted to go back to the way it was, in the sense that ours was much more carefree and lighthearted and humorous – in my opinion, anyway. And another thing I'd want to make sure of is are we going to have the whole gang back? Is Carrie and Harrison and Billy Dee and Tony Daniels, everybody that's around from the original [returning]? I want to make sure that everybody's on board here, rather than just one. I guess I'll have to tune into your show to figure out who's on board."

"I'm assuming, because I haven't talked to the writers, that these movies would be about our offspring -- like my character would be sort of in the Obi-Wan range [as] an influential character. ...'Well, I'm going to wind up like Sir Alec [Guinness]. I'm going to be a lonely old hermit living out in some kind of desert igloo with a couple of robots.'"

"I hope they find the right balance of CGI with practical effects. I love props, I love models, miniatures, matte paintings -- I'm sort of old school. I think if you go too far in the direction of CGI it winds up looking like just a giant a video game, and that's unfortunate. … If they listen to me at all, it'll be, 'Lighten up and go retro with the way it looks."

So a fair amount of things to say with the end result being bang on with what we presented. I'll have more information on the new trilogy and hopefully the spinoffs when I get in touch with our magnificent source with knowledge of the situation!

Source: ETOnline

EXCLUSIVE: More Secret Details Revealed From My Original STAR WARS Source! SKYWALKER Returns Again!!

Ok guys, by now you know of my history with this particular source and the stellar information that has been given us about STAR WARS way back in 2009. We remain in touch to which I am deeply grateful. Again this source has spoken up about what we can now expect from the Disney / Lucasfilm tandem in the coming years, and it is all very, VERY exciting.

Here is what my source has told me, some segments and some word for word, from his email I just received:

"Disney now has the power to make STAR WARS films, and everything else in the Lucasfilm archives. The movies I told you about are indeed the primary focus. Luke Skywalker is a primary focus, as are many of the original trilogy cast. Disney also realised that George Lucas and STAR WARS are one and the same, so George will certainly have a voice on any angle taken, in fact I believe it's one of many stipulations. However he will no longer have creative control, and as I said before George was already looking at other creative talents to bring his canon to life back before Disney and Lucasfilm really started negotiating (or at least to the best of my knowledge)..."

Hit the jump for more...

EXCLUSIVE: Twilight Star Sinks His Fangs Into HOUSE OF THE DAMNED 3D

Teen idol Booboo Stewart, known for his role as Seth Clearwater in Taylor Lautner's Wolf Pack in the Twilight Franchise is set to sink his fangs into HOUSE OF THE DAMNED 3D.

Here's the official storyline:
Five friends band together to save the historic part of their town and inadvertently become targets of a serial killer after uncovering the truth behind a series of grisly murders that went unsolved ... Until now!

Filming is set to begin late March in Baton Rouge and Clinton Louisiana.

Another reason to be excited about the production is that they are using 3ality Technica rigs to shoot the horror film in native 3D.

One of the producers, Ethan Terra said: "With House of the Damned 3D our goal is to cross utilize the 3D to submerge the audience so they feel like they are apart of the movie, and of course to pull off some really cool in depth 3D effects. Because this film is controlled by an independent studio we have more creative control over what we can and can not do, and this film is aimed right at the horror fan in all of us."

The Producers: Michael George, David Forbes, Ethan Terra, Nick Smith, and John Sweeney are currently locking cast and in talks with the Legendary Japanese Director Takashi Miike.

All the remaining details of the film are being held strictly confidential to the production, so much in fact that they have circulated various screenplays to the talent and agents so that nobody knows how the actual film ends or which character is the killer....

The Official Fan Page: www.Facebook.com/HOTD3D

More to be announced soon. Stay tuned.

3ality Technica is a sponsor of MarketSaw

Exclusive Interview: UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING's James McQuaide, Exec Producer & Visual Effects Supervisor

Hey guys - have a special treat for you this week! I want to show you why UNDERWORLD AWAKENING has placed so highly on my most anticipated list of 2012 and we'll do that by giving you several cool technical and behind-the-scenes interviews with the crew behind this project. I hope to underscore just how creative and exciting these guys are.

All of these interviews took place either in the underground garage set, the gorgeous Vancouver waterfront, the University of British Columbia or at one of the catering locations. I want to thank Sony Screen Gems for setting this all up and in particular Gloria Davies who coordinated the whole thing. Thanks Gloria!

We'll be starting with James McQuaide, Executive Producer and Visual Effects Supervisor. We were sitting at a small cafe on Vancouver's busy waterfront so please excuse any wind or background noise!

James is well known for his visual effects. Check out this list of some of his awesome films: UNDERWORLD, CRANK, UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION, CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE, UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, GAMER, THE LINCOLN LAWYER and of course UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING. The guy knows what he is doing and it shows. Clearly he is a key ingredient to the UNDERWORLD franchise.

James and I clicked immediately as we have many things in common, not the least of which is the technology behind blockbuster movies! So have a listen to the interview...



0:32 - James introduces us to an exciting technology known as LIDAR!
4:50 - On why they went with shooting native 3D. 28 weeks of post production to deliver 800 effects shots.
5:40 - What shots needed to be done in 2D and converted. For example the Vancouver rush hour street scenes where the lycans are out in the open and running amok. The 2D rain had to be taken out for the shot and reinserted in 3D. How LIDAR helped in these circumstances after taking those scans every 20 feet of the 3 or 4 blocks of streetscape.
9:00 - Placing LIDAR 3D, geometric, RGB scene information on top of the 2D optical scenes and assisting in 3D conversion.
10:50 - Using Microsoft's Kinect technology (similar to LIDAR only it uses infrared) to present Kate's psychic connection
13:55 - On the script was being creatively rewritten on the fly but the pre-vis was almost shot frame by frame and was the driving force.
15:20 - Myth debunked: LIDAR is not expensive and does not need an outside facility.
15:55 - On not bringing in a third party 3D solutions company and shooting native all in house with an experienced stereographer (Kasimir Lehto).
17:30 - Using Red Epic cameras (bought six & renting two) and 3ality Technica 3D rigs (own 3 or 4 Atoms). No issues using the Reds or 3ality Technica rigs. Remarkably easy to use systems. Lakeshore Entertainment owns two Red Ones as well.
21:40 - The production had internal dailies (turnaround time 1 hour from a single card) using the Red Rocket (enables 4K and 5K decoding in realtime). It was done through Outpost stations with a couple of Red Rocket cards in it. All of this was viewable with two on set 65" 3D televisions in a segregated black tent.
25:10 - On the possibility of "hourlies" or a collection of hourlies as opposed to "dailies".
25:45 - On Red Epics 5K resolution and a higher framerate for the finale of the film. The two Red Epics are genlocked at 72 frames per second. Then they got a build from Red that allows 120 frames per second at 5K! Compression then goes from 5:1 to 12:1 or 13:1.
28:00 - Introducing 3D to others in the crew / talent. They used the Sony 3D Professional Workshop that eliminates much of the fear behind the format.
29:10 - Admiration for AVATAR and how good 3D is easily forgotten by the audience while watching it.
31:25 - They may have released at a higher framerate if Peter Jackson or James Cameron had of announced their intended rate by the start date of the UNDERWORLD production.
32:10 - On testing some footage at the Vancouver Science Center IMAX theater and the possibility of a 5K 3D image.

What LIDAR seems to be able to do is dramatically improve post production conversion of 2D to 3D scenes (be it for 1 scene or a whole movie) so that the guesswork is eliminated from spacial and color considerations. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to have the director present for conversions before LIDAR! The director would have to recall why he shot it a certain way and most of the time it included spacial and color considerations. With LIDAR, you get a confident representation of the scene - even better than the director's memory. It adds reality to conversions that can sometimes stretch the truth a great deal.

And of course with the 3D Red Epics at 5K & 120 frames per second (at times) and the stability & versatility of the 3ality Technica 3D rigs, you have one heckuva cool, technically shot film.

Can you see why I am so excited about how this film was shot and how it will look?

I was able to see all of this technology in action and in great detail. I saw what they were shooting pre-vis wise and then the scenes in action. Very cool stuff indeed.

Thanks so much for your time James and I'm looking forward to the next time we talk!

Stay tuned for more interviews coming up - including the film's stereographer Kasimir Lehto!

UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING opens January 20. Check. It. OUT.

LISTEN: Exclusive Interview With PRIEST Visual Effects Producer Jenny Fulle!

If you have been following my coverage of PRIEST from the beginning, then I think you know that I am looking forward to its release a great deal. I have to say that the visual effects professionals working on this production are some of the best in the industry, and top of mind here is Visual Effects Producer Jenny Fulle. More on PRIEST in a moment.

Jenny has started her own visual effects company called The Creative-Cartel that I think has found an ideal niche in Hollywood - an outsourced visual effects department. Here is what makes her company stand out: They will contract with a production to work with the director and examine each shot in the movie to determine the best possible visual effects shop to tackle it. Each shop has their own areas of expertise. Sometimes a shot may require an ILM or WETA, but other times it can be a small boutique shop. The Creative-Cartel then manages it all. They have their own infrastructure in place that is carried through from project to project.

But here's the rub: The Creative-Cartel (TCC) also does this for S3D conversion needs! They will shop around for the best conversion companies to do particular shots and then will oversee the piecing together of these components into one cohesive movie that is seamless to the viewer. Brilliant.

The end result is that the studio will achieve 2 or 3 times more special effects for their money with TCC than if they had to hire, build, produce, tear down and release for each production. Make sense? It sure does.

Which leads us to PRIEST. Sony Screen Gems doesn't normally do effects laden films and yet they felt that they could tackle this genre with the assistance of TCC and to me it looks like a slam dunk.

I am really liking the world they have created for the priest warriors and vampires, and they are not your standard vampires! Actually I can see hints of past work from both Jenny and Scott in the trailers: The vampires have minute similarities to the creatures in I AM LEGEND (She did FX for that movie too) and the atmosphere of PRIEST reminds me a small bit of LEGION (Stewart directed). The feelings are subtle but adds to the air of the production for me as I simply was floored by I AM LEGEND. One of my favorites (in fact I just watched it again last night!).

I will say that I have not seen any absolutely finished 3D from the movie yet, and the fact that there was no stereographer on set to assist with setting scenes and shooting (yes, even in 2D) concerns me. But that concern is greatly mitigated by the fact that Jenny Fulle is looking after all of that. My fingers are crossed for a great conversion!

Jenny talks about her company and of course her work on PRIEST in the interview - I invite you to listen to the whole conversation...
Here's a breakdown of what we covered:

1:20 - On working with director Scott Stewart for PRIEST

5:00 - How she accomplished "suspension of disbelief" on such a complex film

5:45 - Jenny talks about her new company and what they offer the industry

9:00 - Very cool story on how she got her start in Hollywood - at 18, she was hired as a janitor for Lucasfilm!

10:20 - Tips to anyone wanting a career doing what she does in visual effects

11:30 - What's next for her? She is finishing up effects and 3D conversion for GHOST RIDER 2 and also has work on TED





Hope you enjoyed it! PRIEST opens on May 13. Here's the official website.

Stay tuned for more PRIEST coverage!!

Exclusive Interview: James Cameron & Vince Pace On New Business: Cameron - Pace Group. Details On ARRI Collaboration!

Hey guys - have a special treat for you! I had the opportunity to interview James Cameron and Vince Pace via phone from their NAB appearance to announce their new business, the Cameron - Pace Group (CPG).

I shared the discussion with two other reporters but their audio was so low that I had to unfortunately cut out their questions entirely. They asked questions about 3D sports and high definition so I included the relevant answer portions from Cameron and Pace which was loud and clear. Of course my questions came through with no issue at all.

The biggest thing I got out of the discussion was that the Cameron - Pace Group will be stepping up to the plate to push a "gold standard" for the 3D industry to aim to match going forward. They are not the only ones. I will have more on that in a new post coming soon.

It's always a pleasure to speak with these guys who clearly have an ample finger on the pulse of S3D and are driving forces of the modern S3D changeover. I have also included several clips from their NAB presentation that I'm sure you will find enjoyable!

Here is what transpired during the interview - feel free to skip to the parts of your interest, but I invite you to listen to the whole thing:

1:20 - "Gold Standard" 3D: Ensuring the public gets the best 3D possible. Probably the single most important aspect of this announcement for me.

6:40 - Higher Frame Rate Discussion

10:35 - Higher Resolution: Essentially it should be listed as a second tier priority after higher frame rates and for very elegant reasons as outlined by Cameron.

12:18 - New Technologies In Play For Upcoming Projects: Cameron talks about their new system utilizing the ARRI ALEXA M camera, which is a 5.5 lb sensor block that is designed for S3D use. Pace talks about their new automation software suite that helps automate many aspects of shooting in 3D, thus reducing production time, costs at both set and bringing experts in.

14:52 - 3D Sports Discussion

Have a listen:




Further, I invite you to watch some clips provided to me highlighting Cameron and Pace at the NAB Show in Las Vegas that is happening right now. ENJOY!












Stay tuned for more on the Hollywood "Gold Standard" for S3D!!

EXCLUSIVE: Cameron WILL Be Diving The Pacific Despite Rumors; We Talk Higher Frame Rates & An AVATAR Novel Update!

Finally had some time to edit, render and upload this clip for you after getting back from CinemaCon. More on the way!

In this clip I am talking with James Cameron about a few things:
1. Cameron dismisses the rumors that he will not be shooting at the bottom of the Pacific after the Japan earthquake and aftershocks. He will indeed be diving and shooting, potentially AT THE SITE of the quake in the Japan trench to see what has happened. His plans are to head down in June of 2012. Note how eloquently he corrected me about the name of the third plate that interacts with that area of the Pacific floor! I did know that it was the Australian plate, but for some reason I said Indian. He was on the ball though.

2. We discussed his brilliant higher frame rate presentation! The action scenes looked especially spectacular. With Peter Jackson now shooting THE HOBBIT at 48 fps and Cameron definitely going with a higher frame rate for AVATAR 2, it is only a matter of time for this new standard to become the norm.

3. As many (I say MANY) of you have been asking me privately and publicly for an update on the AVATAR novel I did take the time to ask Cameron about it. Unfortunately there is no real news to report on and it will be ready when it is ready. Don't forget that he is also hard at work on the script for AVATAR 2 too and if they are to start shooting next summer that has to be the priority I would wager.



Time was clearly an issue when speaking with Cameron as he is in high demand. I want to thank Jim for the time he was able to share and I look forward to further discussions!

EXCLUSIVE: Update On Ridley Scott's Ultra Secretive PROMETHEUS!!

Hey guys! Got an exclusive update from one of my inside sources and in this case it is in turn from a source of his own, so take all of this with a grain of salt. But know this, my source here is one of my top taps of information so I am always excited to hear from him! Man I hope this is all true...

**WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW!!!
Do not read further unless you want to risk a pristine viewing experience of Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS.

This is directly taken (mid email) from my source (emphasis is mine):

Be aware, there is a campaign of disinformation that is going to be used about this upcoming movie, I do not know that if inadvertently I am being used, however, the manner in which the conversation came about, I seriously doubt it.

Ridley Scott's sci-fi movie, currently going by the name Prometheus, is going to be a very large and intense story, with a scope that is epic, the final act is where the movie switches gears and shifts into Aliens territory. Pinewood houses an exact replica of the H R Giger Space Jockey command post. You may notice in the original Alien that the Space Jockey had a puncture on its considerably large chest, where the xenomorph broke out through the flesh of the creature and broke through the biomechanical armor it wears. You may also notice how big the Space Jockey is in relation to its human counter parts in the film. So imagine how big the baby must be, which is yet to grow. Then imagine quite a few of these. If you can do that, you got a pretty good grasp on the final act. And do not be expecting the traditional look either, these are very different creatures that will keep the general architecture of the xenomorph, but will have a considerably different look, and do very perverse things.

However, before all of this I hear that the story is not only reminiscent of 2001, but is also trying to push the boundaries of what a modern tent pole science fiction movie could be. This is all I can share, but trust me, you seriously need to start being excited about this project, because not only is this I am assured, not nostalgia for nostalgia reasons, but a whole new spin on that old chestnut.(Editor's note: I am definitely excited about this project! As many of you can attest I'm sure :-)

The story is a very closely guarded secret in Hollywood, and while it is not a direct prequel "officially" it has more than just passing ties towards the Alien saga's canon. You will have all the things that worked in the Alien canon, and very new and fresh and some controversial ideas presented, sexuality is dealt with quite directly. There may even be a robot or two. And the ship, which I am told is the current titles name, Prometheus. Highly original, both in concept and design I hear.

Man I can't wait to hear and see more about this project! We all know what Ridley Scott is capable of, and this is his beloved ALIEN universe!! It is beginning to sound like we are about to get everything we have ever wanted in a prequel.

So what do you think of the inside info? Do you think it's true or "true rumor"? :-) Most of it holds water with me so time will tell. I assume that the prequels revisit the ALIEN star system Zeta 2 Reticuli.

Personally I think we may be shocked at what is in this movie. Seriously shocked. I think there may be elements of sexuality never before explored in a major tentpole sci-fi before. My opinion of course, but look out. I am sooooo hoping for a 'hard R'.

EXCLUSIVE: Slash Airs New Music Video in 3D in Canada

Another exclusive for MarketSaw readers from our friends at PassmoreLab in San Diego! Famed rock guitarist Slash is launching his new stereoscopic 3D music video from his super hot 2010 album to viewers in Canada via Rogers...

Here is the press release one day in advance (emphasis is mine):
San Diego, CA (Nov 9, 2010) – Slash’s 3D music video, “By the Sword”, the first video off of his #1 Rock Album SLASH, which hit retail in April and has received rave reviews worldwide, is now being be broadcast in 3D and available exclusively to customers of Rogers Communications Inc. in Canada, it was announced today in a joint statement by San Diego-based 3D Production studio PassmoreLab & Slash.

The 5-minute 3D rock video, “By The Sword”, is the first video ever from Slash to be released in 3D. It features the vocals of Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother, and Slash’s signature shredding.

“It’s really cool to be broadcast in 3D in Canada,” said Slash.

SLASH hit the charts on April 6. Featuring an incredible lineup of rockers and vocalists like Kid Rock, Dave Grohl, Myles Kennedy, Fergie, Adam Levine, Chris Cornell, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and more, the album has been critically-acclaimed all over the world.

PassmoreLab produced all 3D aspects of the video, which was released internationally in theatres in August. The 3D video has never been aired before on 3D TV.

“My guess is Canadians may need to buy their 3D TVs twice now because of Slash,” says Steve Glum, PassmoreLab's head of Branding & Distribution. “They will buy one the first time just so they can see Slash rock out in 3D. Then they’ll have to go buy another 3D TV because their kids blew out their speakers in the first one.”

The “By The Sword, in 3D!” video is set in a post-apocalyptic future, in a deserted power plant where people are starved for music. And that’s where Slash and the band are found mesmerizing an audience.

“Rock ‘n Roll is universal, and Slash is an icon,” continues Steve Glum. “This is a historic moment, a new chapter in entertainment programming, akin to when MTV launched. Everybody will remember that when 3D TV hit Canada, the first thing they saw was Slash.”

Slash’s "By The Sword, in 3D!” can be seen 24/7 starting today on Rogers Digital TV Channel 900, free to Rogers Digital Cable subscribers.

About Slash
Slash is widely considered one of the greatest rock guitar players of all time. He has received countless accolades and awards including a 2007 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside his idols Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. An original member of iconic rock band Guns N’ Roses, Slash helped the band create signature sounds like the guitar riff of #1 hit “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Welcome To The Jungle.” The band dominated the 1980’s and 90’s music scene selling more than 100 million albums worldwide and ushered in a decade of hard charging rock music. After leaving the band, Slash went on to critical acclaim in his personal project Slash’s Snakepit, and global success with supergroup Velvet Revolver. He has been widely sought after by the biggest musicians of all time, performing with everyone from Michael Jackson to Stevie Wonder to Ray Charles. Slash is one of the marquee playable characters in Guitar Hero III, has two signature Gibson guitars in his name, and authored his own top-selling biography Slash in 2007. Slash recently landed on the top of the charts with his first true solo album, SLASH, which debuted as #1 Rock Album and #3 overall on Billboard’s coveted Top 200 charts, in addition to going #1 in more than 13 countries. The album features an all-star roster of guest musicians including Ian Astbury, Chris Cornell, Rocco DeLuca, Fergie, Dave Grohl, Myles Kennedy, Kid Rock, Lemmy Kilmister, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Duff McKagan, M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother. In addition to a long career filled with prestigious awards and accolades, Slash was just honored this week by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce who named him as an official selection for 2011 to receive a star on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame. A date for the ceremony has yet to be determined. For information, visit www.slashonline.com.

About PassmoreLab
Passmorelab, the San Diego-based multi-media 3D production studio, has the world’s largest library of 3D content available for licensing. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions. Passmorelab’s proprietary technology for state-of-the-art 3D post production is known in the industry for quick turnaround times and competitive costs. Additional offices in Russia and the Philippines. www.passmorelab.com, or contact Steve Glum 858.200.5813.

I've long been a fan of Slash, especially his days with Guns N' Roses - too bad Roger's isn't in my area. Then again, I need a S3DHD TV too! All in due course...

Exclusive: Open Discussion Being Held In Wellington On Future Of The NZ Film Industry And THE HOBBIT - Oct 20, 5PM

It looks like action is taking place in Wellington regarding the future of the New Zealand film industry as well as recent developments with Peter Jackson's THE HOBBIT!

I have it from a very trusted source that a meeting is taking place at Stone Street Studios, A Stage, Miramar at 5pm on the 20th of October for ALL MEMBERS of the New Zealand Film Industry, regarding recent news with THE HOBBIT and the future of the film industry as a whole.

Actors, crew, technicians and production are all URGED to attend this open discussion.

Click here to see our exclusive image of this new sound stage in Wellington from earlier this year.

What have they settled? Anything at all? Or are they going to try and bring everyone together for consensus? Regardless of what their intentions are, the world will know in very short order what has become of the labor dispute it seems.

Fingers crossed THE HOBBIT stays in New Zealand!! More info when I get it...

Let's Talk A Little AVATAR 2!

Got an AVATAR 2 update that many of you have been screaming to me about and yes, you are right - it is time to talk some AVATAR again!

Firstly, from one of my best sources, it is true that there is no final script or breakdown yet. There is a breakdown of the Jake / Warrior King story arc however. Further, entire sequences and situations that were developed during the production of AVATAR that were intended for the sequel(s) or simply couldn't make it into original are queued up too.

I have this confirmed from three top sources. Another source said "Yeah no ready script at all. What I've heard it's more of a pitch. But the storyline and where the characters go is already there and quasi discussed. I don't know where he (Cameron) is, but he's not in the states."

Yet another source said: "News will start to gather soon on Jim's next adventure into another world "or two", I do have news for your readers, I have heard Jim wants to push the Alien world further into the abyss. Pandora best prepare for all war, because I promise you it's on it's way."

And don't forget what we already think will take place: AVATAR 2 will continue several years after the events of the original. The oceans play a key role. It will also lay the groundwork for the other moons in the system. Things are going to get quite "weird" to the point of becoming somewhat abstract! Each movie will stand on its own and there will definitely be NO shooting the sequels back to back. Trilogy? Actually no. The sky is no limit for this universe - the plot lines are endless.

And of course don't forget this AVATAR 2 SPOILER ALERT: This is verbatim from my source...
"Oh and Pandora has a lot of shit coming its way. Break out the space marines, looks like some bugs need a stomping."

The first two quotes are from this week and those last two quotes were from late April / early May and things can change of course, especially as JC has not finalized a script but it certainly is VERY interesting. More when I get it guys. It is very hard to acquire anything that isn't there yet! But as you know we have the best internal sources for AVATAR right here and when I get - you will get it!! Hang on, it will be a heckuva ride in the coming months.

Incidently, that Neytiri pose is actually what Sideshow will be using for their upcoming Neytiri collectible. Can't wait for that one! I have not managed to get an AMP Suit to review, but I will be reviewing another 3D property soon that you will find very interesting. :-)

Exclusive Weta Update! MORTAL ENGINES In 3D, DISTRICT 10 Shooting This October AND AVATAR 2 Spoiler!!!

*EXCLUSIVE*

Jim here. What's new in Weta world?? I have got the goods for ya from two of my top embedded sources!

MORTAL ENGINES is definitely a GO! And it WILL BE in stereoscopic 3D!! It is extremely hard to get any information on this project at all - but you know us, we are in there digging all the time :-) Peter Jackson is both Director and Producer on this project. Mortal Engines is based on a series of five books by Phillip Reeve set in a devastated post annihilation world. Huge floating cities roam the skies and do battle with one another.

DISTRICT 10 (Production title at least) is now in pre-production with filming to start in the October time frame this year. Shooting locations will be South Africa once again as well as New Zealand. There has been no word on whether it will be shot in S3D or not as of yet. You will be the first to know! Peter Jackson is again producing the sequel with Neill Blomkamp directing.

AVATAR 2 will continue several years after the events of the original. It will also lay the groundwork for the other moons in the system. Things are going to get quite "weird" to the point of becoming somewhat abstract! Each movie will stand on its own and there will definitely be NO shooting the sequels back to back. Trilogy? Actually no. The sky is no limit for this universe - the plot lines are endless.

AVATAR 2 SPOILER ALERT: This is verbatim from my source...
"Oh and Pandora has a lot of shit coming its way. Break out the space marines, looks like some bugs need a stomping."

Holy Makarov! You didn't think Weta has been sitting idly by and doing nothing but TINTIN have you? :-) I have asked for clarification on the quote I gave you about AVATAR 2 and if he can go into any detail for us. Keep in mind that things could change this early in the AVATAR 2 creative process but he felt comfortable in telling me this. It must have graduated from Lightstorm Entertainment ideas to Weta concept design. STAY TUNED!! Exciting stuff!

Exclusive: Photo Of New Weta Sound Stages Nearing Completion AND THE HOBBIT Coverage Kicks Off!!

Jim here. I am officially starting MarketSaw coverage on THE HOBBIT as of right NOW. :-)

There seems to be enough activity to warrant scaling up spy activities for our readers and may I say the wait has been arduous! WAIT NO MORE. lol.

I heard back from one of my better sources connected with THE HOBBIT and it seems that because the movie is not going to be 2D (which would have had a July'ish start), it will be ramping up in the November time frame as more prep is needed for S3D. This is not just from my source either - this is the word from the film community, set people and vfx folks. Another reason for the delay is the obvious financial issues with MGM (TORn has a good recent article on this).

The project itself is EXTREMELY quiet right now - to get this information out was very difficult. The cone of silence has definitely been lowered over this project and justifiably so; the world is holding its breath for more Middle-earth news.

That said, we can start talking about a couple of things: Sound stages AND Hobbiton - their construction is well underway. Amazing that there is no official green light as of yet on this thing because there is definitely money being spent!

The new sound stages on the film lot are almost finished and it looks like two large rooms under one roof with the potential of connecting the two.

One of our intrepid spies managed a shot of the exterior of the buildings.

Are we sure they are part of the lot? Yes! Walls are being torn down and ramps built to the central parking lot / production buildings on the opposite side.

One can almost imagine the giant green screens eventually being positioned within the new buildings to help create the dragon Smaug interacting with our adventuresome hobbits.

And what about Hobbiton? TORn has some great shots of how Hobbiton is being groomed for action! Check out one of the shots here and click on over to TORn for the rest.

Apparently a team of 60 has started work breaking new ground on Hobbit holes. Seems we may be able to actually enter these ones as they are significantly larger that the originals.

Keep it right here on MarketSaw as we activate our embedded assets in Wellywood :-) It is time to cover THE HOBBIT!!

Exclusive: PHISH 3D Photos AND Previews Sell Out FAST!

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Phish's sneak preview has SOLD OUT in EVERY market (except one where the computer ordering system went down). So they then pushed the movies to larger theaters which in turn sold out in a matter of hours! Theaters were reportedly getting hundreds of calls for tickets. Word is OUT. This will be one hot commodity the week of April 30, let me tell you. Act early if you can!

Jim here. Got some exclusive stills from the upcoming PHISH 3D movie coming our way on April 30.

Great seeing the news of the concert movie ripple through the swaths of PHISH heads around the world :-) Click to zoom. Check 'em out:

TOLDYA! Cameron CONFIRMS That AVATAR 2 Will Journey To Other Polyphemus Moons

Jim here. Thanks to Kostas2 for the heads up on this ultra cool interview with Jim Cameron! Two kids with Na'vi makeup had the chance to briefly speak with Cameron about AVATAR and in particular where the sequels may take place.

Here is what Cameron said at the 1:30m point of the clip:
"About the other moon? I can't say anything about the other moons in the Polyphemus system because that's top secret, because they're going to appear in the sequel".

We had the exclusive news that AVATAR 2 would take place OFF of Pandora back in October 2009. Gotta love our sources!

I have to say that this interview (other than my own of course) is my favorite that Cameron has given on AVATAR. Those kids were VERY GOOD! I think it is safe to say that Michael and I would love to have them on our team!! :-) Be sure to check out their whole clip right here. In 1080p no less!!

EXCLUSIVE: Want The Early Word On AVATAR 2? I've Got Some News For Ya... WAR Is Coming...

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Heard from my source again and he says AVATAR 2 WILL be made within 4 years. Still no word on when official pre-production will start. Hopefully we will hear more soon.

This makes sense as a movie like THE DIVE would not take long to spin out should he go in that direction.

Jim here. Never too early to start talking AVATAR 2 right? I mean, AVATAR - the original - has already passed $2b and is set to relegate TITANIC from first class to steerage this week for domestic box office! Well, ok not steerage. Second class. :-)

I have the same sources embedded for AVATAR 2 as we did for the first one and let me tell you the excitement is palpable! Thanks to those guys, we ruled the exclusives for AVATAR. The confidence that is being exuded by the guys that worked on AVATAR is a pleasure to behold and this after taking months and months of verbal abuse focused on their task at hand from some sites. The payoff for them now is ultra sweet let me tell you.

NOW they have credentials behind their effort coming forth for AVATAR 2. Which brings me to the first question: Will AVATAR 2 be James Cameron's next picture? The answer is... we don't know yet. Honestly. Some sites are saying right now that pre-production is underway - that is inaccurate: They are preparing, but it is not officially underway yet. Cameron is always in some sort of prep for many movies on his slate. Hirings happen all the time in his world. Heck BATTLE ANGEL has tons of work done already in prep. I will relay this though: He is under IMMENSE pressure to make AVATAR 2. Of course this makes sense. Many people took huge risks on Cameron and his comeback of all comeback movies. Is it time to pay back Fox and investors with a return to Jake and Neytiri? Strike while Home Tree is still hot? I have no confirmation through my sources one way or the other yet, but I am working on it. One thing is pretty much written in stone though - BATTLE ANGEL is back-burnered. It will either be THE DIVE or AVATAR 2 at this point. Slight chance that THE LAST TRAIN FROM HIROSHIMA could sneak in, but doubtful.

But will that stop them from getting ready for AVATAR 2 either way? No. Discussions and preparations are underway right now. Whether it is next remains to be seen. I will have an update on this the instant I receive it - you can count on that!

Now for the interesting stuff: Just what is being discussed right now? Well for one, what we saw in AVATAR's finale was just a battle. AVATAR 2 will be full blown war. War is coming - Jim Cameron war that is! We know that Cameron and Landau are taking AVATAR sequels OFF of Pandora and I am working closely with my sources to determine exactly where they will take place.

Don't forget it was MarketSaw who broke the story that AVATAR 2 will be off of Pandora (October 26, 2009). Not the LATimes (who published on December 22, 2009!). I mean, wow. Almost a full TWO months after we post the story. Feels a lot like what happened last week with us too. Guess it is par for the course.

Further to what is in AVATAR 2, portions of the original scriptment that were left untouched by AVATAR will indeed be touched by AVATAR 2. I am seeking details as I write. Will update when I get it.

This news comes from one of my top AVATAR sources guys.

Do us a favor and note where you heard this from first! :-) Seems many sites like to take whenever they want and yet other sites will brand you for not having accurate info. Which is it? lol! The Internet is a joke sometimes... Enjoy the news and STAY TUNED for more from Jim Cameron and S3D Central - MarketSaw.

Celebrate The Massive 1-2 Punch With Us: AVATAR Passes TITANIC For Top Movie Of All Time!!

Jim here. What more can be said? AVATAR is now the top grossing movie of all time (AVATAR's Monday gross was $3.2 million domestic and an est. $16.9 million foreign, which put it at $1.859 billion, compared to TITANIC's $1.843 billion - BoxOfficeMojo). It really has earned it too. Only someone like a James Cameron could even get a project like this off of the ground let alone pull it off. Cameron knows that the second one of his movies does not make money, the wheels fall off.

I could go on and on about how AVATAR got to this point but really it has been talked about ad nauseum already on this site and others. But what I will talk about quickly is this new box office record we have here.

AVATAR will pass $2 billion. Think about that for a moment. That is almost DOUBLE the nearest non-Cameron movie (LOTR: THE RETURN OF THE KING). Double. Everyone else is relegated to $600m to $1b in the top 50.

There is no point in the naysayers trying to cast doubt on the record as you just cannot compare movies from different decades. Too many variables come into play and no, it is not just the difference in the price of a ticket. When STAR WARS was playing for example it was very common to have theatrical runs of months - indeed George Lucas' epic played for over a year straight. Imagine the results if AVATAR were in a position to do that? There simply wasn't the number of movies made back then as there are today and to compare them is ludicrous.

Even if you take a modern comparison with say THE DARK KNIGHT, it is a stretch to compare the two. TDK played in 4,366 theaters - many with multiple screens. AVATAR in contrast played in a maximum of 3,461 theaters - some with only one 3D screen.

Yes, AVATAR is enjoying a 3D premium for screenings and so they should. It is fundamental marketing. If the demand is there, fill it.

The people out there that blasted S3D and/or AVATAR before during and now after its release are being proven wrong without a shadow of doubt. Movies are entertainment and nothing has ever delivered like AVATAR or stereoscopic 3D before.

There is no doubt now as to the viability of S3D. It is time for the whiners and complainers to pack up their flyer mileage and go somewhere remote. The number one movie of ALL TIME is now stereoscopic. 3D has arrived, will stay and has forever changed Hollywood. To those still frothing at the mouth at our success? Get over it. :-)

Now comes the fun part! Watching all the other genres of movies come over to S3D!! We now firmly have horror, animation and science fiction I believe. Don't forget that AVATAR won Best Picture at the Golden Globes for DRAMA - it will be a very interesting evening come Oscar night this year.

We have come a long way guys. I remember back in March of 2007 conjecturing on why AVATAR is important. I called the movie a catalyst for 3D and a game changer as far as ramifications for the industry is concerned - even more than STAR WARS and THE MATRIX. I essentially based this whole site on this movie. Seriously. I heard about the movie and thought - that's it! That is what I want to do. I want to ensure the world knows about this movie now and can watch it develop from infancy to whatever future it holds.

But the top grossing movie of all time?? I had my moments dreaming about that happening. But I was realistic too at the same time - TITANIC had truly pulled off a miracle run and to repeat it would be almost impossible. Had I downplayed the effect that 3D had on people and at the box office? Perhaps. But we did not have a firm grasp on just how many screens would be up at the time of AVATAR's release either - or just how much of a total audience would see it in 3D. I think it is running about about 80% right now.

Think about how many cinema owners have made the call to convert to 3D during the run of AVATAR - many of whom may have been on the fence pragmatically. Not anymore. People want to be entertained and S3D delivers time and time again.

I feel quite nostalgic right now! How about taking a little ride in a time machine...

Let's take a look at MarketSaw's AVATAR scoops over the years:

- The FIRST look at the outdoor green screens being used in Wellington, New Zealand (here, here, here, here and here).
- The FIRST look at the AVATAR lots in Los Angeles.
- Production Details of the ships, mess hall, buildings, avatars, animals and plants of Pandora.
- Lighting of AVATAR.
- AVATAR T-Shirts!! (here, here, here and here) Second one has a look at the first silhouette of the BANSHEE and the third a look at a Navi silhouette holding a bow.
- Exclusive FIRST LOOK at the AVATAR Motion Capture Suits! (here and here)
- Exclusive Set Signs.
- Exclusive outdoor set shot of a plant from Pandora? Hard to say if this was actually in the movie though in retrospect - may have been a positional tool for mocap. It WAS used for AVATAR though.
- Exclusive: Horner Using Navi Language in AVATAR soundtrack!
- Exclusive HI Resolution Image of the AVATAR performance capture VOLUME!
- Exclusive Interview with AVATAR artist Mark Goerner!
- Jim Cameron Talks To Michael!
- Exclusive disclosure of the set location (security command area) in official photo.
- Exclusive FIRST LOOK at AVATAR's hand held weaponry!
- Exclusive FIRST LOOK at the BANSHEE's homeland (fairly certain this is what is in the photo)
- THE GRAND-DADDY of all the exclusives! THE FIRST LOOK AT A NAVI!
- Exclusive Interview with AVATAR Concept/Production Designer James Clyne!
- EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK at AVATAR's AMP SUIT!!
- Exclusive Open Letter From AVATAR Crew Person!
- Exclusive After Party Photos From CineExpo Amsterdam! Including Full AMP Suit!
- Exclusive Colonel Quaritch Photo!!
- Exclusive Trudy Chacon Photo!!
- Exclusive: AVATAR 2 will NOT take place on Pandora!
- Exclusive: Second AVATAR trailer (the good one) release window!
- Exclusive: Interview with professor Debra Fischer of Yale on the astronomy of AVATAR!
- Exclusive Interview with Pascal Blanche, art director of AVATAR: The Game!
- Exclusive: AVATAR wraps up production!
- Jon Landau gives MarketSaw a shout out!!
- EXCLUSIVE interview with JIM CAMERON!

...and that was just our AVATAR scoops! We had much more additional material from other sources and websites to augment our coverage. And of course all of our industry leading coverage of other 3D movies, 3D gaming and home entertainment!

I actually held back what would have been the biggest scoop of them all - the video clip of AVATAR being shown at Comic Con 2009. Its quality was not the best and far off to one side and it was in 3D so quite blurry at times. I decided to hold it back from the public for the sake of the movie and I am glad I did. Sorry to put you through that guys! I think we set a record for comments on that post too at over 300.

So yeah, we had some other sites upset at how good our coverage was and now everyone can see exactly WHY we did all of this work: AVATAR was worth it! It IS the best movie of all time and the box office backs it up. Do you see why Michael and I are so excited and have been for years? I am so glad you came along for the ride with us!

Here's the good news! It is NOT over. We will be here as the top source of AVATAR 2 and 3 too. Anything from Mr. Cameron will be covered here with the same intensity. Why? Because Michael and I love movies and nobody delivers better than James Cameron. Stay tuned - it's going to be a ride!!

EXCLUSIVE: New AVATAR Photo - Michelle Rodriguez!!

**UPDATE: Oct 28 - Just got word from a source that her call sign is "Maya", which is partially visible above her head. The pin is for Sec Ops, the private security arm of the RDA. And it is a tiger on the nose art! Awesome update! :-)

Jim here. Fox just sent me this exclusive shot of Michelle Rodriguez standing beside her aircraft and looking very intense! Perhaps thinking about what perils she will be encountering while piloting through hostile airspace on Pandora! :-)

To download the high res shot just go here.

Some sort of sabre toothed cat on the aircraft - wonder what her call sign will be?

I have tried to get an interview with Michelle but to no avail. I have the right contacts, but she has been hard too land so far. So I want you guys to comment on why she SHOULD give us an interview! Deal?

The attention to detail is amazing! Check out the second zoom in shot I added of her shoulder pin - looks to be made up of a few crosses with one centered in the middle. Note that it more or less matches the cross on her sewn on chest badge. Definitely flying insignia.

Can't make out too much in the cockpit itself. Serious seat and restraints! I would say that is a mission briefing handheld she is placing in the window too. Finally seeing these aerial battles after hearing so much about them will be spectacular! Here's hoping she makes it right through to the end - for that massive fight. Think she will make it?

Don't forget to comment on why she needs to give us an interview! Michelle is a kick @ss character in so many movies - she needs to fill us in on AVATAR! :-) And thank you Fox for the image! Oh and if you use this photo - please link back as I do!