Finally! James Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D Release Details!!

We're finally getting details on James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge 3D feature documentary. It's been awhile coming too, but so glad the time is almost here. I'm very interested in seeing what personal money can buy when it comes to science. I know it's not all Cameron's money as he is sponsored somewhat, but still - I wish more well off individuals would consider science as a philanthropic or personal journey. The Mariana Trench dive project will be released on August 8.

Here's the press release:

DisruptiveLA, a cutting-edge marketing and distribution company for filmed entertainment, has acquired the US Distribution Rights to the feature documentary “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D,” directed by John Bruno, Andrew Wight and Ray Quint. A film about determination, danger and the ocean’s greatest depths, “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” tells the story of Cameron’s journey to fulfill his boyhood dream of becoming an explorer. The movie offers a unique insight into Cameron’s world as he makes that dream reality – and makes history – by becoming the first person to travel solo to the deepest point on the planet.

Opening August 8 in theaters across the US, “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” chronicles the highs, and literal lows, of DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, the first extensive scientific expedition in a manned submersible to the Challenger Deep, Earth’s deepest place. It was inspired, in part, by the fact that we know less about the deep oceans than we do about the surface of Mars. DEEPSEA CHALLENGE was led by Cameron, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for blockbusters such as Avatar and Titanic and a veteran of eight deep ocean expeditions. It was executed in partnership with National Geographic and Rolex and with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. During it, Cameron deployed his unconventional DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible on 13 dives, collecting numerous samples and identifying 68 new species. On March 26, 2012, the Expedition culminated in Cameron’s historic, solo dive to the Challenger Deep, a staggering 35,787 feet (almost seven miles) beneath the ocean’s surface.

Risk and danger are ever-present in the film as Cameron dives progressively deeper in the New Britain Trench off Papua New Guinea and in the Mariana Trench, 200 miles southwest of Guam. Confronting the enormity of the dive to the Challenger Deep, the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, Cameron recalled thinking, “I’ve had years to contemplate this moment, and I won’t say there hasn’t been dread.”

Among his concerns was the risk the sub would implode under the crushing pressure (1,000 times that at sea level) at the ocean’s deepest points. In the movie, Cameron describes an ominous scenario: “As you approach the bottom, with barely a warning sign, the sphere buckles suddenly. Faster than you can scream, you’re smashed into jam.”

Cameron survived to capture the haunting, lunar-like landscape of the Mariana Trench in stunning 3D, and to document the sea creatures he observed in the depths. In a tense 90 minutes, “JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” builds on these images to create a visual sensation that evokes a spirit of extraordinary human aspiration.

Industry veterans Chris Miller and James Burke are DisruptiveLA’s co-founders. Says Burke: “James Cameron and his team’s courage and tenacity in seeing this project through, with findings that scientists are still poring over, is an inspiration to everyone.”

“JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D is everything we’d dreamed it could be and more,” says Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Cinema Ventures and an executive producer of the film. “It’s a heart-racing film experience and an inspiring reminder that our beautiful planet still has much to explore.”

“We are proud to have accompanied James Cameron, a Rolex Testimonee, on this inspirational journey to the deepest reaches of the world’s oceans, encouraging further exploration of the planet’s last unknown frontiers and sparking the interest of new generations in scientific research,” says Rolex Director of Communication and Image, Arnaud Boetsch.

This should be a sight to see! Can't wait.

Update on Cousteau's "Oceans 3D: Into The Deep"

Jim here. International distribution for OCEANS 3D is at full ahead according to THR. It is being hailed as "the first feature-length docu-fiction film shot entirely in digital 3D". Further info: "The film will leave audiences in awe of the beauty and diversity of the oceans - the source of all life on our planet - and inspire an even stronger desire to protect what they have either seen for the first time or re-discovered."

3D Entertainment holds rights for the US and Canada and the Wild Bunch have secured the following foreign sales: Gaga Communications in Japan; Eagle, Italy; New Vision, China; Deltamac, Hong Kong; Filmware International, Taiwan; Festive Film, Singapore; Wanda Distribucion Cinematografica, Spain; Monolith, Poland; Spentzos Film, Greece, Luxor Entertainment, Russia and CIS; Fivia in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bir Film, Turkey; Acme, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; Best Hollywood, Hungary; Hollywood Classic Entertainment, Czech Republic; Independenta Film, Romania; Lusomundo, Portugal; Orlando Films, Israel; Video Vision, South Africa; Europa Cine, Brazil and Europa Filmes in other countries of South America and Queen Films, Indonesia.

I first reported on OCEANS 3D back on October 2, 2008 when it was known as OCEANS 3D: VOYAGE OF A TURTLE. Since then it has evolved into OCEANS 3D: INTO THE DEEP and it is brought to you by master oceanographer and storyteller Jean-Michel Cousteau.

I would wager that a turtle still plays a pivotal role in taking the audience through the movie. Originally the storyline went like this: "The movie tells the story of Ella the sea turtle who embarks on a journey across the oceans in search of the origin of mysterious, far away calls. As movie goers experience the beauty and diversity of the oceans in stunning 3D, Ella encounters both her friends and her predators. What she finally discovers is that the greatest threat to the fate of ocean life doesn’t lie beneath the waves, but in the hands of the people from above." So while the title has changed, I imagine that the shots taken will still be integrated into the movie in some way. Awesome premise for a family movie to me.

I am REALLY looking forward to this project as the underwater scenes are going to knock it out of the park. Seriously. Check this movie out when it hits your local 3D theater. By the way, this is NOT limited to IMAX, but will be made available via RealD installations coast to coast.