James Cameron On The "Parallel Process" Of Writing Three Avatar Sequels Concurrently

So James Cameron had some interesting things to say at the LA Times Hero Complex Film Festival over the weekend and in particular about writing AVATAR 2, 3 and 4.

At this point we know about his writing team of Shane Salerno (AVATAR 4), Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa (Married and co-writers on AVATAR 3) and Josh Friedman (AVATAR 2), but we didn't know how it would all work. How do you bring together 5 writers (Cameron is obviously involved too) to get these productions done back to back to back?

Well as it turns out, I don't need to paraphrase what was said as Cameron can communicate very well - so here are his comments:

James Cameron: "We tried an experiment. We set ourselves a challenge of writing three films at the same time. I knew I could certainly write any one of them but to write three in some reasonable amount of time – we wanted to shoot them together so we couldn’t start one until all three scripts were done and approved. So I knew I was going to have to ‘parallel process’ which meant I would have to work with other writers. And the best experience I had working with other writers was in television when I did Dark Angel. The television room is a highly collaborative and fun experience. So we put together a team, three teams actually — one for each script. The teams consist of me and another writer on each one of those three films. Each [individual writer] would have their own script that they’re responsible for. But what we did that was unique beforehand was we sat in a writing room for five-months eight-hours-a-day and we worked out every beat of the story across all three films so it all connects as one three film saga. I didn’t tell [the three writers] which sequel was going to be theirs to write until the very last day. So everybody was equally invested story-wise in all three films. So the guy that got the third movie, which is the middle film of this new trilogy, he now knows what preceded and what follows out of what he’s writing at any given moment. We all consider that to be a really exciting, creative and groundbreaking experiment in screenwriting. It worked as a process to get our minds around this epic and all these new creatures and environments and characters."

Love how he did not disclose who would be writing what early on! That would cultivate the best ideas from all of them during the massive group sessions so that they can be spread out equally and thoughtfully throughout the timeline. It would also lead to cohesiveness of the storyline too - you don't want abrupt changes from one movie to the next. I'm thrilled to hear how this was done!

AVATAR 2 is slated for a December 2016 release with AVATAR 3 and 4 due out in 2017 and 2018.

Source: Collider

Fancy Yourself A Writer? Like GI Joe? Then Check This Out !

If you haven't heard about Kindle Worlds yet and you're a writer, it's time you did.

Here's how it works: Kindle Worlds is a publication submission platform where you choose a licensed World, read the Content Guidelines for that World, write your story, upload that story, create a cover using free images or your own image, and accept a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing. It’s simple and it’s fast. Every Kindle Worlds story will be featured on Amazon.com and Kindle devices and apps.

But here's the kicker: Amazon just came to an agreement with Hasbro for the G.I. Joe universe!

Amazon and Hasbro shaking hands on this allows writers to publish their own fiction and earn royalties using established characters such as Snake Eyes, Cobra Commander and Zartan.

Amazon is throwing serious licensing fees at intellectual property owners to allow this to take place. GI Joe? Veronica Mars? Harbinger? Gossip Girl? The Vampire Diaries? Ravenswood? Something for almost everyone.

I'm most interested in G.I. Joe myself. Might even give it a go! I love the Snake Eyes character. I'd have to get deeper into the lore but I really enjoy the movies, especially the last one (G.I. JOE: RETALIATION) in 3D.

TERMINATOR 5 Will Be Rated R: Patrick Lussier And Laeta Kalogridis Writing

Exciting news for the TERMINATOR franchise! Patrick Lussier (DRIVE ANGRY, DRACULA 2000) and Laeta Kalogridis (BATTLE ANGEL, SHUTTER ISLAND) have been inked to write the fifth installment in the time travelling doomsday series.

Megan Ellison (daughter of billionaire Larry Ellison) owns the rights to the franchise (Annapurna Pictures) and she has the deep pockets to pull off practically anything she desires - which makes this announcement very exciting. Top that off with Schwarzenegger thinking on returning to the franchise in some fashion certainly gets the blood boiling. His age will be a factor obviously, but that wouldn't stop a performance capture contribution for example. I'm excited!

The one-two punch of Lussier's horror pedigree (and native 3D directing background) along with Kalogridis' love of cyborgs and connection with TERMINATOR creator James Cameron (BATTLE ANGEL, AVATAR) makes me VERY excited.

This is not the first project that this duo have teamed up for. Lussier and Kalogridis also were tapped by Skydance Productions (owned by David Ellison - Megan's brother) to write an original scifi adventure movie for them. No word on the status of this particular project as of yet. Makes me wonder if this was the same project all along... Hmmm.

There is every reason to think that this assembled team and financing will succeed. They have the talent, the required background and money to pull it off. I'm convinced TERMINATOR 5 will be a 3D production - I don't see why not with this assembled team.

I'll have more exciting news about Lussier and others soon in connection with my 3D month initiative! Stay tuned!!

Source: Deadline

Kasdan Returns! Joins Kinsberg In Writing STAR WARS Sequels

Of course Lawrence Kasdan has STAR WARS in his blood, having written THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK as well as RETURN OF THE JEDI (and another little movie called RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK) - so who wouldn't be thrilled with his inclusion in the new STAR WARS braintrust? Good call guys. Throw in Simon Kinberg's X-Men history and you have a potent team.

Both have reportedly sign on to pen at least one installment of the upcoming sequel trilogy for Lucasfilm / Disney, with Michael Arndt writing Episode VII. Kasdan and Kinberg will both be producing as well.

More when we get it!!

Source: THR