HOME TRAILERS RELEASE DATES PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS BOB $TENCIL NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

FIRST LOOK

First Official BTS Photo from James Cameron's Avatar!

by Alex Billington
December 23, 2008
Source: LA Times

This is a momentous occasion! The first official photo released by Fox for James Cameron's Avatar has finally hit the web! Unfortunately it's not exactly what you're expecting - it's a behind-the-scenes photo featuring Cameron and his star, Sam Worthington. I know, I know, I want to see an actual photo from it, too, but we've still got to wait for that. This comes from a feature in the LA Times talking about the overwhelming buzz surrounding Avatar. "The only question (and fear) is what is to become of the cinema geeks overwhelmed by the images that Cameron and his effects crew are putting in front of them."

Below you will see the first officially released photo from Avatar. We cannot confirm or deny that the paneling behind Cameron and Worthington is actually a piece of the set or not. We're going to guess that it is, as it looks quite sci-fi to us. We have officially 360 days left until Avatar's debut.

"The buzz surrounding James Cameron's big-budget return to science fiction has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. The film, a mix of CGI and live action using new techniques Cameron himself helped to develop, was shot with a special 3-D camera (also developed by Cameron). Mix that with the promise of large-scale, hard science fiction that hasn't been attempted much in the past few years, and you have a project that seems guaranteed to live up to the hype and expectations that are riding on it." I hope so!

Avatar is written and directed by revolutionary filmmaker James Cameron, of everything from Aliens to The Abyss to Terminator to Titanic previously. In the future, Jake (Worthington), a paraplegic war veteran, is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture. Avatar will be presented in full 3D and arrive in theaters everywhere on December 18th, 2009.

Explore tags: First Look, Hype, Photos

Pedro Lopes

I'm usually not pessimistic... but... This will be a flop and won't live to the hype...
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Ha! Are you saying that based on this one photo? Or just to be an asshole?
Christopher Marc

Alex, you forgot to mention that Cameron is wearing a Battle Angel tee...which will hopefully be his next film
Peloquin

Wow...Pedro Lopes, you are the most ill informed cinephile I've ever met...If you knew anything about Cameron it's that his movies never ever flop...This will be phenomenal. Any true film fan would know that Cameron's meticulous attention to detail along with his passion for storytelling always brings something unique to the table. Anyone who invents their own cameras and develops their own techniques to break new ground should be a welcome change for a Hollywood of remakes and unoriginal ideas. I'm guessing you're just saying that because you got first comment, but still to so callously pawn off all of Cameron's hard work over the last few years after seeing a partial image of the set is ludicrous.
MrSammich

I am looking forward to this. James Cameron has been a pioneer in the industry unlike any before him, and I think this might be the next big thing. Even if this movie tanks, and I really doubt it will, the newly developed 3D cameras that were developed for the film are probably going to become great new tools that other filmakers will begin to use, much like how CG effectts skyrocketed after Cameron better utilized them in The Abyss and Terminator 2. But beyond that, this movie hass a pretty promising cast and if nothing else, the story seems to be something original, a breath of fresh air if you will, from the sequils that are drowning most theater goers.
http://www.atomicpopcorn.net/the-day-the-earth-stood-still-movie-review/ Atomic Popcorn

This is terrible that you folks would tease people like this, even JoBlo said itw as wrong to tease us. Who wants to look at Cameron's ugly mug. I want Aliens!!
http://www.bleepinggeek.com Pete the Geek

While at first I was frustrated that it wasn't a shot from the actual film, I have to say that this is a BRILLIANT move by their P.R. team. The thing that's going to kill this film before it even gets released is hype. Cameron? SciFi? Sweeping Epic? New film technology? The hype surrounding this film is huuuuuuuge. What better way to tone that down than by releasing an innocuous behind-the-scenes shot? Cameron knows that the first real shot of the film (or the first trailer) is going to cause a simulataneous widespread pandemic of both rave reviews and vicious bile-spitting tirades. This is a nice, low-key way to slowly introduce the film to the audience. (but seriously James, next time I want some actual footage)
Jedi

"Ha! Are you saying that based on this one photo? Or just to be an asshole?" pwnd WTG, Alex. Nice to see you calling the trolls out once in a while.
Fuelbot

Seriously, change the title of this article. That's so misleading.
felipe

damn you alex! you made me run to this when I saw the headline, hoping that it would be an actual movie picture, that was a cheap shot! =) kidding.....obviously I would still prefer to see a scene from the movie, but this also made me excited, can´t wait to see what Cameron has to make the world turn upside down (again). oh, about Pedro....yeah, just to be an asshole....what´s the relevance of a bit of sand on a beach? nothing, that´s what he means to eveyone who WILL have their jaw dropped to the ground.
darrin

i thought it will be an actual pic from the movie. i want to see a trailer.
The_Phantom

Ok Crap. I'm really tired and I can't think clearly right now on how the 3D cameras are suppose to be better. since I've been up since like 2am but my question is. If we see a trailer, don't we need to be wearing the 3D glasses to get the full affect. Otherwise it's just another campy 3D looking trailer. I shouldn't really be thinking to much about it since it's James Cameron were talking about. The only thing I'm worried about in the whole movie is that it's being release by FOX.
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

Haha, I love how you bash Fox in the rpevious article and praise them in this one.
Frost

Is it just me or is James Cameron wearing a Battle Angel Alita shirt?
Steven

I was really looking forward to this film before i just realized that it was 3D, now....not so much. i absolutely hate 3D films. All it does is make my eyes cross and gives me a headache. i'm still looking forward to this film alot because James Cameron i an excellent director, especially at sci fi films, but now that i know it will be a 3D film i'm kinda dissapointed.
peloquin

Steven... This isn't normal 3d technology that Cameron is using. He invented his own camera systems for this film and from all the post magazines I've been reading people in the industry are saying he's going to revolutionize the way we look at 3d. I agree with you in that 3d movies are lame and give headaches when used as a gimmick, but I assure you this will be totally different. I mean if the 3d-Antichrist Alex Billington is supporting this there must be something unique about it because normally he despises the use of the word "3D" on this site. If this looks like Journey to the Center of the Earth or My Bloody Valentine I will personally let you kick me in the nuts (because the pain Cameron would cause me would be much worse).
Steven

@16 oh o.k. thanks for clearing that up, I can now wipe the sweat off my brow in relief. This sounds 100 times better now that I know that. I read that they were going to start charging extra for 3D movies. If James Cameron really does revolutionize 3D films then i guess t would be worth it to fork over a few extra bucks. If it looks cool, and I don't have a migraine at the end of te movie, then I'm sure it will be great. Thanks again Peloquin!
http://www.dooms-day-device.com Puke

It looks like a dressed up C-17 Globemaster cargo jet. The holes directly between the two guys look like the holes that hold the chains and anchors on a C-17. The seats and gizmos on the wall are not normal on a C-17 though.
scotty

is that a Battle Angel t-shirt he has on?
Mike

I don't care anything about the movie as long as it is by James Cameron.
Duncan

"Mix that with the promise of large-scale, hard science fiction that hasn't been attempted much in the past few years" Ah, Sunshine anyone?