Bob Iger and James Cameron: Can the king of Hollywood handle the king of the world?



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As Cameron's "Avatar" sequel moves from Fox to Disney as part of the $ 71-billion merger, they join a list of crowded movie releases. "We are very sad that Murdoch has chosen to sell the company," says franchise producer Jon Landau. "But if they sell the company, there's nothing better than Disney to sell it."

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In 1997, when James Cameron needed six months more than expected to finish Titanic, he fell on Rupert Murdoch on Fox, apologizing for the delays on the set and promised the tycoon that his catastrophic epic would be "good". The star director of his studio, the additional time he wanted, was awarded 11 Oscars, a worldwide box office of nearly $ 2.2 billion and the speech "I am the king of the world".

The relationship between Cameron and the Murdoch was exceptionally strong, forged on a shared ambition and outrageous success, starting with Cameron's leadership. extraterrestrials in 1986, which gives Rupert its first great success after the purchase of the studio and culminates in the release in 2009 of Avatar, which remains the most profitable film of all time with 2.7 billion dollars in the world.

Today, a few days after Disney 's conclusion of its contract with Fox, an amount of $ 71.3 billion, Avatar director finds himself in business with a very different society, where intellectual properties like Star wars and Marvel are appreciated higher than any star and where the kind of leeway he enjoyed with the Murdoch is rare.

"We are very sad that Murdoch chose to sell the company," said Jon Landau, Cameron's producer at Lightstorm Entertainment. "But if they sell the company, there's no one better than Disney to sell it. Avatar in terms of its potential, not only as a film but as a franchise. "

Mr. Landau's optimism can be explained by his years of experience with Cameron and Cameron at Disney: in 2011, CEO Bob Iger approached Cameron to Avatar land in the conglomerate's amusement parks. After signing a licensing agreement of approximately $ 500 million with Lightstorm in 2014, Disney opened Pandora – The World of Avatar, a 12-hectare area in Animal Kingdom Florida, with a flight simulator 3D, a boat attraction, shops and restaurants.

There are now four Avatar Movie sequences in the works that Cameron has delayed many times to complete the scenarios and develop the technology-intensive production pipeline, which includes the introduction of underwater photography to motion capture.

The first Avatar The sequel was originally scheduled to be released in 2014, but is expected to be released on December 18, 2020, 11 years after the previous day. This date can still change, Avatar Integrates around other franchises from his new studio – Disney's release schedule features an untitled Disney live-action movie scheduled for December 23, 2020. (The other one) Avatar the follow-up is scheduled for December 17, 2021, December 20, 2024 and December 19, 2025.)

Although Lightstorm and Disney have met over the past few months to discuss their licensing and theme parks, the Federal Trade Commission rules have prevented companies from dealing with studio-related topics. . closed business.

"We are moving into production the same way we were last week," says Landau of life after the merger. the Avatar the sequels are shot simultaneously, Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana taking over their roles. In her new position at Disney, Emma Watts, vice president of 20th Century Fox Film, is expected to continue overseeing the Avatar suites.

Landau adds: "We have a long-standing relationship with Emma and we respect her."

This story was first published in The Hollywood Reporter on March 27th. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

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