Avatar (2009 film)

***Avatar*** (also marketed as ***James Cameron's Avatar***) is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. It is set in the mid-22nd century when humans are colonizing Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system, in order to mine the valuable mineral unobtanium. The expansion of the mining colony threatens the continued existence of a local tribe of Na'vi – a humanoid species indigenous to Pandora. The film's title refers to a genetically engineered Na'vi body operated from the brain of a remotely located human that is used to interact with the natives of Pandora.

Development of *Avatar* began in 1994, when Cameron wrote an 80-page treatment for the film. Filming was supposed to take place after the completion of Cameron's 1997 film *Titanic*, for a planned release in 1999; however, according to Cameron, the necessary technology was not yet available to achieve his vision of the film. Work on the language of the Na'vi began in 2005, and Cameron began developing the screenplay and fictional universe in early 2006. *Avatar* was officially budgeted at $237 million, due to a groundbreaking array of new visual effects Cameron achieved in cooperation with Weta Digital in Wellington. Other estimates put the cost between $280 million and $310 million for production and at $150 million for promotion. The film made extensive use of new motion capture filming techniques and was released for traditional viewing, 3D viewing (using the RealD 3D, Dolby 3D, XpanD 3D, and IMAX 3D formats), and "4D" experiences in selected South Korean theaters.

*Avatar* premiered in London on December 10, 2009, and was released in the United States on December 18 to positive reviews, with critics highly praising its groundbreaking visual effects. During its theatrical run, the film broke several box office records and became the highest-grossing film at the time, as well as in the United States and Canada, surpassing Cameron's *Titanic*, which had held those records for twelve years. *Avatar* remained the highest-grossing film in the world for nearly a decade until it was overtaken by *Avengers: Endgame* in 2019, but a Chinese re-release of *Avatar* led to the film retaking the worldwide top spot in March 2021, where it has been ever since. Adjusted for inflation, *Avatar* is the second highest-grossing movie of all time after *Gone with the Wind* with a total of more than $3 billion. It also became the first film to gross more than $2 billion and the best-selling video title of 2010 in the United States. *Avatar* was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won three, for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects. The success of the film also led to electronics manufacturers releasing 3D televisions and caused 3D films to increase in popularity.

Following the film's success, Cameron signed with 20th Century Fox to produce four sequels: *Avatar: The Way of Water* and *Avatar 3* have completed principal filming, and are scheduled to be released on December 16, 2022, and December 20, 2024, respectively; subsequent sequels are scheduled to be released on December 18, 2026, and December 22, 2028. Several cast members are expected to return, including Worthington, Saldana, Lang, and Weaver.

## Plot

In 2154, Earth's natural resources have been depleted. The Resources Development Administration (RDA) mines the valuable mineral unobtanium on Pandora, a moon in the Alpha Centauri star system. Pandora, whose atmosphere is poisonous to humans, is inhabited by the Na'vi, Template:Convert, blue-skinned, sapient humanoids that live in harmony with nature. To explore Pandora, genetically matched human scientists use Na'vi-human hybrids called "avatars". Paraplegic Marine Jake Sully replaces his deceased identical twin as an operator. Avatar Program head Dr. Grace Augustine considers Sully inadequate but accepts him as a bodyguard.

While escorting the avatars of Grace and Dr. Norm Spellman, Jake's avatar is attacked by Pandoran wildlife and he flees into the forest, where he is rescued by female Na'vi Neytiri. Witnessing an auspicious sign, she takes him to her clan. Neytiri's mother Mo'at, the clan's spiritual leader, orders her daughter to initiate Jake into their society. Colonel Miles Quaritch, head of RDA's security force, promises Jake the company will restore his legs if he provides information about the Na'vi and their gathering place, the giant Hometree, under which is a rich deposit of unobtanium. Learning of this, Grace transfers herself, Jake, and Norm to an outpost. Jake and Neytiri fall in love as Jake is initiated into the tribe. He and Neytiri choose each other as mates. When Jake attempts to disable a bulldozer which is threatening a sacred Na'vi site, Administrator Parker Selfridge orders Hometree destroyed. Despite Grace's argument that destroying Hometree could damage Pandora's biological neural network, Selfridge gives Jake and Grace one hour to convince the Na'vi to evacuate.

Jake confesses that he was a spy and the Na'vi take him and Grace captive. Quaritch's men destroy Hometree, killing many including Neytiri's father, the clan chief. Mo'at frees Jake and Grace, but they are detached from their avatars and imprisoned by Quaritch's forces. Pilot Trudy Chacón, disgusted by Quaritch's brutality, airlifts Jake, Grace, and Norm to Grace's outpost. Grace is shot during the escape. Jake regains the Na'vi's trust by connecting his mind to that of Toruk, a dragon-like creature feared and revered by the Na'vi. At the sacred Tree of Souls Jake pleads with Mo'at to heal Grace. The clan attempts to transfer Grace into her avatar with the aid of the Tree of Souls but she dies. Supported by new chief Tsu'tey, Jake unites the clan, telling them to gather all the clans to battle the RDA. Quaritch organizes a strike against the Tree of Souls to demoralize the Na'vi. Jake prays to Na'vi deity Eywa via a neural connection with the Tree of Souls. Tsu'tey and Trudy are among the battle's heavy casualties.

The Na'vi are rescued when Pandoran wildlife unexpectedly join the attack and overwhelm the humans, which Neytiri interprets as Eywa answering Jake's prayer. Quaritch, wearing an AMP suit, escapes his crashed aircraft and breaks open the avatar link unit containing Jake's human body, exposing it to Pandora's poisonous atmosphere. As Quaritch prepares to slit Jake's avatar's throat, he is killed by Neytiri who saves Jake from suffocation, seeing his human form for the first time. With the exceptions of Jake, Norm, and a select few others, all humans are expelled from Pandora. Jake is permanently transferred into his avatar with the aid of the Tree of Souls.

## Cast

*Further information: {{{2}}}*
File:Sam Worthington 4, 2013.jpgFile:Zoe Saldana (28584925641) (cropped 2).jpg
### Humans

* Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, a disabled former Marine who becomes part of the Avatar Program after his twin brother is killed. His military background helps the Na'vi warriors relate to him. Cameron cast the Australian actor after a worldwide search for promising young actors, preferring relative unknowns to keep the budget down. Worthington, who was living in his car at the time, auditioned twice early in development, and he has signed on for possible sequels. Cameron felt that because Worthington had not done a major film, he would give the character "a quality that is really real". Cameron said he "has that quality of being a guy you'd want to have a beer with, and he ultimately becomes a leader who transforms the world". Worthington also briefly appears as Jake's deceased identical twin, Tommy. Cameron offered the role to Matt Damon, with a 10% stake in the film's profits, but Damon turned the film down because of his commitment to the *Bourne* film series.
* Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, the head of the mining operation's security detail. Fiercely consistent in his disregard for any life not recognized as human, he has a profound disregard for Pandora's inhabitants that is evident in both his actions and his language. Lang had unsuccessfully auditioned for a role in Cameron's *Aliens* (1986), but the director remembered Lang and sought him for *Avatar*. Michael Biehn, who had worked with Cameron in *Aliens*, *The Terminator* and *Terminator 2: Judgment Day*, was briefly considered for the role. He read the script and watched some of the 3-D footage with Cameron but was ultimately not cast.
* Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine, an exobiologist and head of the Avatar Program. She is also Sully's mentor and an advocate of peaceful relations with the Na'vi, having set up a school to teach them English.
* Michelle Rodriguez as Trudy Chacón, a combat pilot assigned to support the Avatar Program who is sympathetic to the Na'vi. Cameron had wanted to work with Rodriguez since seeing her in *Girlfight*.
* Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge, the corporate administrator for the RDA mining operation. While he is at first willing to destroy the Na'vi civilization to preserve the company's bottom line, he is reluctant to authorize the attacks on the Na'vi and taint his image, doing so only after Quaritch persuades him that it is necessary and that the attacks will be humane. When the attacks are broadcast to the base, Selfridge displays discomfort at the violence.
* Joel David Moore as Dr. Norm Spellman, a xenoanthropologist who studies plant and animal life as part of the Avatar Program. He arrives on Pandora at the same time as Jake and operates an avatar. Although he is expected to lead the diplomatic contact with the Na'vi, it turns out that Jake has the personality better suited to win the natives' respect.
* Dileep Rao as Dr. Max Patel, a scientist who works in the Avatar Program and comes to support Jake's rebellion against the RDA

### Na'vi

* Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, the daughter of the leaders of the Omaticaya (the Na'vi clan central to the story). She is attracted to Jake because of his bravery, though frustrated with him for what she sees as his naiveté and stupidity. She serves as Jake's love interest. The character, like all the Na'vi, was created using performance capture, and its visual aspect is entirely computer generated. Saldana has also signed on for potential sequels.
* CCH Pounder as Mo'at, the Omaticaya's spiritual leader, Neytiri's mother, and consort to clan leader Eytukan.
* Wes Studi as Eytukan, the Omaticaya's clan leader, Neytiri's father, and Mo'at's mate.
* Laz Alonso as Tsu'tey, the finest warrior of the Omaticaya. He is heir to the chieftainship of the tribe. At the beginning of the film's story, he is betrothed to Neytiri.

## See also

Template:Portal

* List of films featuring extraterrestrials
* List of films featuring powered exoskeletons
* *Run of the Arrow*
* *Red Scorpion*

## References

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1. ↑ LaFraniere, Sharon (January 29, 2010). [TBA China's Zeal for 'Avatar' Crowds Out 'Confucius']. *The New York Times*.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 [TBA Avatar (2009)]. *AFI Catalog of Feature Films*.
3. ↑ [TBA *AVATAR* [2D] version]. *British Board of Film Classification* (December 8, 2009).
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Patten (2009)`
5. ↑ Wigney, James (August 15, 2010). [TBA Avatar director slams bandwagon jumpers]. *Herald Sun*.
6. ↑ Template:Cite Box Office Mojo
7. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>French, Philip (March 14, 2010). [TBA "Avatar was the year's real milestone, never mind the results"] Check `|url=` value (help). *The Observer*. UK: The Guardian. Retrieved March 29, 2010. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
8. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Johnston, Rich (December 11, 2009). [TBA "Review: AVATAR – The Most Expensive American Film Ever ... And Possibly The Most Anti-American One Too"] Check `|url=` value (help). Bleeding Cool. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
9. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Choi, Charles Q. (December 28, 2009). [TBA "Moons like Avatar's Pandora could be found"] Check `|url=` value (help). *NBC News*. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
10. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Horwitz, Jane (December 24, 2009). [TBA "Family Filmgoer"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Boston.com*. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
11. ↑ This property of Unobtanium is stated in movie guides, rather than in the film. Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specified.
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13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Template:Cite magazine
14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `abc`
15. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>[TBA "Synthetic actors to star in "Avatar""] Check `|url=` value (help). *Tampa Bay Times*. August 12, 1996. Retrieved April 27, 2022. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
16. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Hevrdejs, Judy; Conklin, Mike (August 9, 1996). [TBA "Channel 2 has Monday morning team in place"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Chicago Tribune*. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
17. ↑ [TBA-language-hollywood-style Crafting an Alien Language, Hollywood-Style: Professor's Work to Hit the Big Screen in Upcoming Blockbuster Avatar]. USC Marshall School of Business (December 7, 2009).
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19. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Barnes, Brooks (December 20, 2009). [TBA "'Avatar' Is No. 1 but Without a Record"] Check `|url=` value (help). *The New York Times*. Retrieved December 20, 2009. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
20. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fritz, Ben (December 20, 2009). [TBA "Could 'Avatar' hit $1 billion?"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved December 20, 2009. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `vanityfair`
22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `4-D`
23. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 19, 2009). [TBA "'Avatar' takes $27 million in its first day"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Variety*. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
24. ↑ Douglas, Edward (December 21, 2009). [TBA Avatar Soars Despite Heavy Snowstorms]. ComingSoon.net.
25. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Dean Goodman (December 20, 2009). [TBA ""Avatar" leads box office, despite blizzard"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Reuters*. Retrieved December 20, 2009. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
26. ↑ List of highest-grossing films in Canada and the United States#Not adjusted for inflation See also List of highest-grossing films in Canada and the United States#Adjusted for ticket-price inflation
27. ↑ [TBA Top Lifetime Grosses].
28. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (March 13, 2021). [TBA 'Avatar' Overtakes 'Avengers: Endgame' As All-Time Highest-Grossing Film Worldwide; Rises To $2.8B Amid China Reissue – Update].
29. ↑ Coyle, Jake (January 31, 2010). [TBA 'Avatar' Wins Box Office, Nears Domestic Record]. *ABC News*.
30. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>[TBA "List of Academy Award nominations"] Check `|url=` value (help). CNN. February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
31. ↑ [TBA The 82nd Academy Awards (2010) Nominees and Winners]. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
32. ↑ Goss, Patrick (April 15, 2016). [TBA Why Avatar's big screen success couldn't save 3D TV]. *TechRadar*.
33. ↑ Goldberg, Matt (April 6, 2018). [TBA 3D Is Dead (Again)].
34. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Galuppo, Mia; Couch, Aaron (May 7, 2019). [TBA "Three New 'Star Wars' Films Get Release Dates in Disney Schedule Reset"] Check `|url=` value (help). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
35. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 7, 2017). [TBA "Matt Gerald Returning To James Cameron's 'Avatar' World; Boards Crackle's 'The Oath'"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Deadline Hollywood*. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
36. ↑ [TBA Avatar 2 Filming Starts This Week!] (September 25, 2017).
37. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Conan O'Brien (December 18, 2009). *The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien*. Season 1. Episode 128. NBC. I was cheap
38. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Williamson, Kevin. [TBA "Paraplegic role helps Worthington find his feet"] Check `|url=` value (help). The London Free Press. Retrieved January 1, 2010. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
39. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
40. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Horn, John. [TBA "Faces to watch 2009: film, TV, music and Web - Sam Worthington"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved April 27, 2022. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
41. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Grater, Tom (July 9, 2021). [TBA "Matt Damon Talks Turning Down 'Avatar', Almost Directing 'Manchester By The Sea' & Diversity In His Films At Engaging Cannes Masterclass"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Deadline Hollywood*. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Thompson, Anne (August 2, 2007). [TBA "Lang, Rodriguez armed for 'Avatar'"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Variety*. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
43. ↑ Barnes, Jessica (March 26, 2007). [TBA Michael Biehn Talks 'Avatar' – Cameron Not Using Cameras?]. *Cinematical*.
44. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Morris, Clint (August 2, 2007). [TBA "Sigouney Weaver talks *Avatar*"] Check `|url=` value (help). Moviehole.net. Retrieved August 2, 2007. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
45. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Simmons, Leslie (September 21, 2007). [TBA "'Avatar' has new player with Ribisi"] Check `|url=` value (help). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved April 27, 2022. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
46. ↑ Cameron, James (2007). [TBA Avatar]. *Fox Screenings*.
47. ↑ Lux, Rachel (December 14, 2009). [TBA Close-Up: Joel David Moore]. *Alternative Press*. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc.
48. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Bazley, Lewis (May 25, 2009). [TBA "Drag Me to Hell Review"] Check `|url=` value (help). inthenews.co.uk. Retrieved June 2, 2009. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
49. ↑ Brennan, David (February 11, 2007). [TBA Avatar Scriptment: Summary, Review, and Analysis]. James Cameron's Movies & Creations.
50. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Thompson, Anne (January 9, 2007). [TBA ""Titanic" director sets sci-fi epic for '09"] Check `|url=` value (help). *Reuters*. Retrieved December 26, 2009. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
51. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>[TBA "Cameron's *Avatar* Starts Filming in April"] Check `|url=` value (help). *ComingSoon.net*. January 9, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2022. Check `|archive-url=` value (help)
52. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>[TBA "Pounder Talks Avatar"] Check `|archive-url=` value (help). *IGN*. April 30, 2007. Archived from [TBAr the original] Check `|url=` value (help) on November 5, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2009.

## Further reading

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