AVATAR Update: Cameron Going Energy Net Zero With Productions; Worthington Says Sequels Start Shooting Oct 2014

James Cameron is putting his money where his mouth is by self-financing (~ $5 million) a ~1 MW array of solar panels on the roofs of the MBS studios in Manhattan Beach. 3,692 solar modules producting 960 KWs to be precise.

Says Cameron: "The Avatar sequels are a great opportunity to show how we, as a production company, can make clean green solar energy as we go. Going into Avatar 2 and 3, we are going to be able produce enough solar energy to handle the entire electrical demand for our computers and performance capture systems here at MBS Media Campus. We have to do this for the future, for our children, and as a moral responsibility to the planet."

This further underscores his call to action from last year: "Some percentage of the presumably-massive 'Avatar' sequel gross will go to charity. Fox has partnered with me to donate a chunk of the profits to environmental causes that are at the heart of the 'Avatar' world."

Further and presumably, Lightstorm Entertainment chose the MBS Studios partially because of the Studios' implementation of a host of attractive ecological features including "An aggressive water conservation program, eco-friendly paints and cleaning products, sustainable café and craft services practices and a number of programs to promote greener transportation by its employees."

Kudos to Mr. Cameron for his continued commitment to the environment and to help present the message of the AVATAR franchise in the best possible way.

Here's a video of the solar panel array effort with my friends Jon Landau and Jim Cameron:



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Next up Sam Worthington tees up the AVATAR sequels shooting date! Which is, according to the Daily Telegraph of Sydney, October of 2014.

Sam expounds: "I think Jim is building the ship to Pandora to be honest. We are going to start this time next year and we will do two, three and four. I'll be grateful if it finishes."

Sam always speaks his mind - actually I'm kinda surprised he didn't swear a bit there! I had to laugh the first time I got to speak with him he didn't mince words. He's toned down somewhat from those early days in subsequent times I've met him.

I have to say that so far the AVATAR sequel productions are locked up extremely tight. I haven't heard a thing from my major sources and I'm hopeful of something soon emerging. Hopefully we can break something soon as we did for the first go around - like the first image of the Navi. I will also contact Cameron directly to vet any breaking news that we may uncover.

Stay tuned! Pandora's box is about to get opened again...


Sources: MNN

Cameron Moving Lightstorm Entertainment To Manhattan Beach

Can anybody get me a fly on the wall at the MBS Media Campus building in Manhattan Beach, CA?

Not only is the building where Marvel is located (they shot IRON MAN 2 and THOR there), but it will now also be where Lightstorm Entertainment is shooting their AVATAR movies!

According to THR, the 580,000 square foot facility with 15 soundstages will play host to both James Cameron's offices and studio.

Cameron made the announcement today at NAB in Las Vegas. By the way, I had an interesting conversation with both Jim and Vince Pace today from the show. I will be posting the interview tomorrow! Jim and Vince have started a new "Gold Standard" 3D company called Cameron - Pace Group (CPG). Stay tuned!!