James Cameron selects Ubisoft to adapt Avatar [update]

by Ross Miller { Jul 24th 2007 at 7:45PM }

Filmmaker James Cameron has chosen Ubisoft to handle the video game portion of his next project Avatar (formerly Project 880) that will be released alongside the feature film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The project will be based around the movie's story about a former Marine, played by Sam Worthington, "who persists in an alien world as an avatar, a human mind in an alien body." Peter Jackson's WETA digital is helping with the film's visuals, which will reportedly also serve to aid in development of the game. We'd love to see how the game's visuals compare to the film.

Avatar is being planned for a May 2009 release, giving Ubisoft just under two years to transform the MMO-like story into a game (which likely won't be a proper MMO).

[Update: Clarified the MMO aspect of the film.]

Tags: avatar, jamescameron, project880, ubisoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Word of the street. @ Jul 24th 2007 7:52PM

Now everyone wants to get aboard the S.S WOW Cash Boat...

How many MMO are planned for the 2008/2009 in total?.

zwarrior @ Jul 24th 2007 7:56PM

This movie will own, and now I am anticipating this game too, I didn't know it was an MMO though, those I usually avoid. How about a Titanic online game, eh Cameron? I'd be tipping boats and drowning everyone down with me.

Trivia: M. Night Shama... (I wont try to spell it) was fighting for the title "Avatar", because he's planning a trilogy live action films of Nickelodean's Avatar: The Last Airbender (which kicks ass). I guess he lost.

axt113 @ Jul 24th 2007 10:22PM

Couldn't he just call it Avatar: The last Airbender?

Matt B @ Jul 24th 2007 10:26PM

AVATAR: The Last Airbender is amazing. I can't believe it is taking so long to keep going.

zwarrior @ Jul 24th 2007 8:00PM

Funny pic. Even he's surprised that it's a MMO

Obie @ Jul 24th 2007 8:23PM

I am excited that James Cameron is finally making a new movie. But I dunno about the game, just wait and see I guess.

ThornedVenom @ Jul 24th 2007 11:11PM

Give me a Terminator MMO you prick!

Jackz0r @ Jul 25th 2007 12:02AM

Doesn't this sound like that Sci-Fi story "Call me Joe" to anyone?

aristokrat18 @ Jul 25th 2007 2:50AM

Is that the one where the guy controls the "robot" or whatever on Mars through some kind of telepathic/psychic link, and ultimately winds up becoming the robot/creature thingy?

Ah, good old Science Fiction Hall of Fame...

Nox @ Jul 25th 2007 9:35AM

Sounds interesting but I dont see a movie by that name on IMDB. How can I find this?

Mat Shorics @ Jul 25th 2007 1:06AM

"Ubisoft's deal does not cover the rights for a massively multiplayer online game, an idea that Cameron has previously spoken about as a way to introduce players to the franchise. Landau said that game is still a possibility"

Nice job on reading the article - Ubisoft is NOT making the MMO for this game, just your basic run of the mill James Cameron's Avatar - The Official Game of the Movie ...

dontlikeitmodit @ Jul 25th 2007 8:07AM

LOL. I laugh heartily at Hollywood. They have a hard enough time making good movies, they are in for a rude awakening when it comes to games.

As long as Cameron does NOT try to tie this in with an existing IP he is good to go. Don't get me wrong I love JC.

'The Abyss' really stands out in my mind as an epic film to make. All those underwater shots, heres to the hope thats the kind of dedication hes going to place on a game, not just his name.