Thursday, August 27

• First Look at Sigourney Weaver's Alien Avatar

  A bunch of scans from Empire's cover story on Avatar have popped up on line (via MarketSaw). They offer (among other things) a first look at Sigourney Weaver as a blue-skinned alien hybrid.

  After the trailer debuted last week, there had been some complaints that Sam Worthington's avatar didn't look enough like him. You can check out some stills of him from the magazine and decide for yourself. For Weaver though, the resemblance is not really in question, as is evident in side-by-side photos of her as human and alien. They also show off one more cool aspect of inhabiting an avatar: You get to be younger.

  You can also check out a couple of close-ups of Zoe Saldana as a Na'vi. No side-by-side comparisons though, since the character she plays is an alien native, not a human-Na'vi hybrid. And for those who just can't get enough, there is a second batch of photos as well, including a nice group shot in the jungles of Pandora.

  
  

  Posted 08/27/2009 by Bill

  Related: James Cameron | Sigourney Weaver | Zoe Saldana | Sam Worthington | Avatar

Thursday, August 20

• New Pictures (and Foam Noodles) from Avatar

  As part of the drum roll for the main event on "Avatar Day," its studio has released a batch of new photos from the movie. We get a look at a fleet of futuristic airships angling across an alien sky, along with a series of character shots of the humans in the film including picutures of Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine, and Sam Worthington as Jake Sully.

  It's in the alien jungle scenes on Pandora, though, where all of the really cutting edge special effects work takes place. In an interview with io9, motion capture actor Reuben Langdon explained just how little there was to work with before all the layers of special effects were added. It was all just bare stage, tennis balls and foam noodles:

  What you see on-screen is pretty much exactly what happened without all of the environments. ... Some of that awesome, craziness of Jake running through the woods being chased by the thanator was actually in a hall, a stage with grey sticks as placements for trees and things. And there's really no jungle at all, it's just an empty room and running from imaginary guys making puppets. Not even guys with puppets, but guys making noises like "Rawr" with a tennis ball at the end of a stick, while he's waving it badly and you're like [makes a face], running away....

  Very different from what's actually on the screen, the looks. But the motion, the physical motion that's all that we're concerned about ... we're in a big room just running through sticks, or those pool foam, what do they call them? Those pool foam things ... foam noodles. They're being bombarded by foam noodles.

  Clearly, in this movie at least, one of the most important qualifications for an actor is a really good imagination.

  
  

  Posted 08/20/2009 by Bill

  Related: Sigourney Weaver | Sam Worthington | Avatar

Wednesday, August 5

• Sigourney Weaver on the Lightness of Being an Avatar

  In James Cameron's Avatar, Sigourney Weaver plays Dr. Grace Augustine, a veteran botanist who mentors the protagonist, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), during his introduction to the alien moon Pandora. Like Sully and all the other humans, she has to inhabit an avatar, i.e. a human-alien hybrid, in order to survive the deadly environment they encounter there.

  Weaver explained in an interview with IESB that getting into her avatar was more than just a matter of changing her look:

  One of the fun things about my character is that she's so unhealthy. She's so driven. She never sleeps. She chain smokes. She doesn't eat. When she's on Pandora, she has this light, young body, and she can jump from tree to tree. She's free. She has no aches or pains. One of the things that I worked on was the impact of coming back into your human body, when it's not in great shape. That's something that Jim and I discussed, coming out of the link, having been such a free and physical spirit, and then going back to your body, which is falling apart. That was very humbling, each time. Grace was very aware that she was running out of time.

  The contrast turns out to be even more overwhelming for Sully, who is paralyzed in his human form, and is eventually confronted with a choice that may mean abandoning his avatar forever.

  
  

  Posted 08/05/2009 by Bill

  Related: James Cameron | Sigourney Weaver | Sam Worthington | Avatar

Tuesday, August 4

• Sigourney Weaver's Avatar Character Inspired by Her Teachers

  

  Despite having appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, actress Sigourney Weaver has become forever linked with Ellen Ripley, her character from the Alien series, and because of this has herself become an icon of tough, resourceful woman in cinema. Weaver returns to science fiction this December in James Cameron's long-awaited return to feature filmmaking, Avatar, a 3-D smorgasbord of alien landscapes and fantastic creatures.

  During the Avatar panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Weaver said that a lot of the credit for her career and for her portrayal of Dr. Augustine, a botanist studying xeno-plant life on the far-off world of Pandora, can be attributed to the strong women who inspired her in her youth:

  

  ... to wonderful women teachers in my school who devoted their lives to trying to help us (women) feel like we could do science. And one of the things that moved me most about Dr. Augustine was that Jim (Cameron) created this brilliant woman scientist who had thrown everything over to study the flora and fauna of Pandora and to understand the Navi way of life.

  And, for me, it was such a treat just to even begin studying the plant life. It was very meaningful to me — I never did that well in science, but I was always so eager to learn it, and I feel I got a second chance.

  Avatar was written and directed by Cameron and also stars Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, and Giovanni Ribisi.

  
  
  

  Update on James Cameron's Avatar

  Avatar sets sail with a $200,000,000 budget.

  Posted 08/04/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: James Cameron | Sigourney Weaver | Avatar | Alien

Friday, July 24

• Cameron's Heartfelt Introduction of Avatar at Comic-Con

  

  Despite being four years in the making, there has been scant little information released about the film that marks director James Cameron's long-awaited return to feature films. Until now...

  Cameron personally introduced Avatar to approximately 6,000 fans in Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con. Cameron likened himself to the fans in the audience, saying:

  I figure this is a place where I can speak from the heart because, you know, I feel like I'm one of you guys. I make movies because I love movies, because I'm a fan of fantasy and science fiction and other worlds.

  He said that he was always a dreamer, even as a kid.

  I grew up in a little town in Canada called Chippewa. Population was about a sixth of the number of people in this room right now. And, you know, even though my body was trapped in Chippewa, my mind was roaming the galaxy thanks to Bradbury and Clark, Sturgeon, Heinlein, and shows like Star Trek. Yes, the first two seasons. And, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

  These are the things that blew my mind when I was a kid, when I was that 14-year-old boy riding a school bus, reading a book a day, science fiction book a day. So, this film, really, after a hiatus of doing deep-ocean exploration for seven years, coming back to feature filmmaking, this film has been made for that 14-year-old boy that's still very alive and well in the back of my mind.

  So, I know I share with you that love of fantasy and science fiction and other worlds.

  However, Camero said that he didn't want to tell any more about the movie or the story so that he could "hold back something for the fun of the voyage." Before leaving the stage he asked:

  How many of you have ever wanted to go to another planet? Second question: Are you ready to go to Pandora?

  After thunderous applause, the lights went down and the crowd was treated to nearly 25 minutes of fully actualized 3-D footage of Avatar. All of the major characters were introduced, as well as a number of bizarre creatures and environments on the planet Pandora. In a word, the footage was "incredible."

  Cameron returned to the stage after the footage was aired and introduced the producer, Jon Landau, and cast members Zoë Saldaña, Stephen Lange, and Sigourney Weaver, who said, "This is the movie you've been waiting for."

  As a final announcement, Cameron declared August 21st "Avatar Day" and said that a "global audience" will be afforded a free screening of 15 minutes of Avatar at IMAX and 3-D theaters around the world.

  
  
  Next Showing: Avatar opens December 18

  Posted 07/24/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: James Cameron | Sigourney Weaver | Avatar

Saturday, June 20

• Will Ghostbusters Video Game Revive Film Franchise?

  It's been 25 years since "Who ya gonna call?" became a national catchphrase and 20 years since the bland sequel to Ghostbusters all but ended the franchise. Over the years, there has been sporadic talk about reviving the franchise, but the principals could never agree to terms and the franchise languished. Now, the possibility of a third film about New York City's favorite paranormal investigators seems a possibility, thanks to an unlikely impetus: the Ghostbusters video game.

  A couple of weeks ago, Harold Ramis, who co-wrote and starred in the first two Ghostbusters films, said he had written a story for a third film that The Office writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky were adapting into a screenplay. Now, with the Ghostbusters video game becoming the top-selling Xbox 360 game and second best-selling Playstation 3 game on Amazon.com, there is even more talk about the film franchise. As reported in Variety, Mark Caplan, VP of licensing at Sony Pictures said:

  For now, we're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the franchise. The game and the Blu-ray (release) will have a big impact on all of us. And we'll decide what to do from there.

  The Ghostbusters video game script, co-written by Dan Aykroyd and Ramis, contains more than 10,000 lines of dialgogue and features the voices of principal actors Ramis, Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson. Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis declined to participate for unspecified reasons.

  
  

  Posted 06/20/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Bill Murray | Dan Aykroyd | Ernie Hudson | Harold Ramis | Rick Moranis | Sigourney Weaver | Ghostbusters II | Ghostbusters | Ghostbusters III

Tuesday, June 9

• Harold Ramis Talks About Ghostbusters III

  

  It's been 25 years since the birth of the Ghostbusters franchise and the original creative team is working on a new flick. In a telephone interview yesterday, Comingsoon.net talked to writer/director Harold Ramis (Year One, Analyze This, Groundhog Day) and received some info on the upcoming Ghostbusters III.

  Ramis and Dan Aykroyd wrote the scripts for the first two movies and both starred with Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver. Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, who are regular writers for The Office, are developing a first draft of the script and Ramis says he's optimistic that the new movie will feature most of the original cast:

  I wrote the story for the new movie with [Eisenberg and Stupnitsky], and Dan [Aykroyd] and I've been consulting. We're just waiting to see a first draft and where we are ... Everyone says they'll do it; they've all said they'll do it. No one has signed anything yet--we haven't signed anything either--but there's the spirit of willingness in the air.

  Ramis also talked about whether he or original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman will helm the new movie:

  I don't think he wants to; I'm not sure I want to. It's just a lot of open questions. Until we see a script, I don't think anyone really knows how they feel about it. Everyone's open to doing it, that's the main thing, that's what got it moving forward.

  .

  In addition, Ramis said that there will be a younger team of Ghostbusters this time around, with the original characters acting more as mentors.

  Ghostbusters III is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2012.

  
  

  Posted 06/09/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Bill Murray | Dan Aykroyd | Ernie Hudson | Harold Ramis | Ivan Reitman | Sigourney Weaver | Gene Stupnitsky | Lee Eisenberg | Ghostbusters | Ghostbusters II | Ghostbusters III

Friday, May 29

• Alien Will Be Revisited, but Without Ridley Scott in the Chair

  We've been hearing about a possible return to the basics for the Alien franchise -- where the concept of a single alien monster on a ship is revisited.

  Earlier, Sigourney "Ripley" Weaver revealed that she and director Ridley Scott had discussed it, but the debacles that were the Alien vs. Predator movies seemed to have killed interest. Later, it was said that the idea was being tossed around by the studio again and it had got Ridley Scott thinking about a plotline again.

  Now comes word from Bloody-Disgusting that this new Alien project is indeed happening. But the word is that, while still involved, Scott is stepping back -- letting his brother Tony Scott and Michael Costigan produce, and he's looking at an unknown Carl Rinsch to direct the movie. In his defense, Rinsch has done plenty of work for Scott Free -- Ridley's production company.

  While it looks like this will put the franchise back on track, can it be good that the franchise originator is taking the back seat instead of the director's chair?

  
  

  Posted 05/29/2009 by Jim

  Related: Sigourney Weaver | Ridley Scott | Alien | Aliens | Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | Alien vs. Predator

Wednesday, April 29

• Fox Co-Chariman Hints at Possible Alien Prequel

  Tom Rothman, studio co-chairman at Fox, hinted that another Alien movie may be in the works, possibly with original Alien director Ridley Scott at the helm. This comes only a week after Fox announced that Sin City director Robert Rodriguez will  "reboot" the Predator franchise.  Scott is currently at work on Robin Hood, which stars Russell Crowe and is due in 2010, but Rothman was unambiguous in mentioning that talks are already underway to get the project off the ground.

  The announcement came at the Wolverine premiere in Tempe, Arizona, on Monday, during which Rothman expressed his enthusiasm for another installment of the Alien franchise, which already includes four movies. Rothman said:

  There's been some talk. Ridley is now working on Robin Hood, but I think he's toying with the idea, and that would be great for us. If you can get the originator to do it, that would be the greatest thing. So I've got my fingers crossed, all of them.

  Sigourney Weaver has talked with Scott about starring in the movie, but she also felt that the alien itself may be done, since it's been overexposed through two poorly received Alien vs. Predator movies. Instead, the focus would be on Ripley, Weaver's role in all four previous movies. In addressing how she and Scott developed Ripley's character, Weaver said:

  Both of us feel a kind of commitment to that woman. [Ridley Scott is] as much responsible for who she is as I am. What we're interested in is taking the character of Ripley and seeing what other science fiction story we can tell about someone who has lived several lives.

  This could mean a Ripley-centric prequel that has little to do with her alien nemeses, if anything at all. Instead, it might be a probing exploration of Ripley's psychology and history. We'll have to wait until further details are released.

  
  

  Posted 04/29/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Sigourney Weaver | Ridley Scott

Friday, December 5

• Sigourney Weaver Says Avatar Technology Won't Replace Live Humans Anytime Soon

  "I think the smart directors take everything from the living people," Sigourney Weaver told ReelzChannel of the performance capture work she's done on James Cameron's Avatar.

  The actress is currently promoting her narration work on the new feature adaptation of Kate Dicamillo's classic children's book The Tale of Despereaux, which releases in theaters nationwide December 19th.

  As with most of the cast involved on Cameron's highly secretive Avatar, Weaver isn't allowed to say much about the details of her character or the film. "My lips are sealed about the fabulous 3-D adventure of Avatar," Weaver told Reelz with a wry smile.

  As for the issue of whether Cameron's technology is evolved enough to replace actors entirely, Weaver doesn't see that ever being the case. "You know, it's true, for all of us as artists, there's a trust in this new technology. They do need to begin with real actors with beating hearts and rushing blood and working minds..."

  "Performance capture, they're using all of you, both physically and vocally. So there's no difference except that you get to scamper around covered with green dots and make believe that this is a gun and this is a tree. It's just like the way you do theater, so I felt totally at home."

  
  
  Next Showing: Avatar slated for release December 2009

  Posted 12/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: James Cameron | Sigourney Weaver | Avatar