Avatar: Fire and Ash (which is Avatar 3) is going to be ultra-epic. As director/co-writer/producer James Cameron stated at D23: “Avatar 3 is not what you expect, but definitely what you want”. As we know, the film was shot with the same advanced techniques as in Avatar 2 (Sony VENICE IMAX 3D). Details are below.
James Cameron talks about Avatar 3
D23 convention is the ultimate Disney fan event at the Honda Center located in Anaheim. In that event on Friday, August 9, 2024, heavyweight director James Cameron shed a bit of light on the upcoming Avatar 3 film. That is what he said: “Every day when I am reviewing the new shots with the VFX folks, it’s like Christmas morning. They are just so amazing. The characters are so alive, so you care about them so much. They all just feel so real. You know, as you expect, this is an insane adventure, but it’s also got very high emotions, more than ever before. We are going into a really challenging territory with all the characters that you know and love. There are also new cultures, and settings, and new bio and you will see a lot of Pandora plants that you have never seen before. Here’s what I tell you: The new film is jot what you expect, but it’s definitely what you want”. Furthermore, as rumors indicate, the third film will introduce a villainous group of Na’vi called the Ash People. “I want to reveal the Na’vi from another angle because [so far] I have only shown their good sides. In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na’vi examples. In Avatar 3, we’ll do the reverse”. Indeed, Avatar 3 is titled Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Every day when I am reviewing the new shots with the VFX folks, it’s like Christmas morning. They are just so amazing. The characters are so alive, so you care about them so much. They all just feel so real. You know, as you expect, this is an insane adventure, but it’s also got very high emotions, more than ever before. We are going into a really challenging territory with all the characters that you know and love. There are also new cultures, and settings, and new bio and you will see a lot of Pandora plants that you have never seen before. Here’s what I tell you: The new film is jot what you expect, but it’s definitely what you want.
Avatar 3 Director – James Cameron
Shot like Avatar 2: Sony VENICE 3D IMAX
Avatar 2 and 3 were shot in unconventional cinematographic methodologies. The camera rig contains two Sony VENICE attached to a specially made 3D stereoscopic beam splitter system, utilizing the Rialto extension unit. That’s why they call it the Sony VENICE 3D IMAX. And the film will be screened in HFR (High Frame Rate – 48-60 FPS – Frames Per Second). Basically, the image from the top camera is reflected off the mirror which is a 45-degree image from the horizontal camera that shoots through the mirror. By adjusting these cameras from side to side we can actually make the distance between them correct for the particular 3D depth of the scene. This is the methodology utilized by Cameron in shooting Avatar 2 and 3. Read more about this extraordinary shooting methodology that executed those stunning underwater shots in Avatar 2 (and might be implemented in Avatar 3 as well). Just to add that on November 14, 2018, Cameron announced filming with the principal performance capture cast had been completed. Furthermore, in September 2020, he announced that 95% of Avatar: Fire and Ash had been completed. Filming wrapped in December 2020. Hence, those two films were shot together, and we believe that similar cinematography techniques were applied.
Avatar: Fire and Ash’s theatrical release has been subject to nine delays, with the latest occurring on June 13, 2023. It is scheduled for release on December 19, 2025. BTW, Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, are in various stages of production and are expected to be released in 2029 and 2031, respectively. Can’t wait!
