The first suit has been filed by Eric Ryder who claims that he entered into an agreement with Cameron’s production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, to develop a movie based on his story ‘KRZ 2068.’ According to the suit, the Ryder’s film project was envisioned as

an environmentally themed 3-D epic about a corporation’s colonization and plundering of a distant moon’s lush and wondrous natural setting.

After two years of work Ryder also claims that Lightstorm squashed the project stating there would be little to no interest in an environmentally themed science fiction feature film. Then of course Lightstorm began work on ‘Avatar.’ In the suit Ryder says that Lightstorm

liberally and substantially uses material that fell within the LEI-Ryder agreement

Cameron completely denies lifting anything from Ryder’s project and that he alone came up with and wrote the ideas for ‘Avatar.’ Ryder however begs to differ and is claiming breach of implied contract, fraud and deceit, negligent misrepresentation and other infractions, Ryder is seeking unspecified contract damages, tort damages, punitive damages and that he be awarded the profits

that defendants obtained from their wrongful acts

Hot on the heels of Ryder’s lawsuit is Bryant Moore with a lawsuit of his own claiming very similar things. Moore has written two screen plays, ‘Aquatica’ and ‘Descendants: The Pollination’ and claims Cameron used the two screenplays as the basis for ‘Avatar.’ Moore points out various similarities, including bioluminescent flora/plant life, unbreathable atmospheres, matriarch support of hero vs. heroine, spiritual connections to environment and reincarnation, appearance of mist in scene, sunlight to moonlight, crackling from gargantuan foliage, blue skin/green skin and battle scene on limbs/branches.

Cameron’s attorney, Bert Fields has said in response to the allegations

Mr. Cameron was demonstrably the author of ‘Avatar,’ we can prove that, and we intend to prove that in court

Feilds has also stated that any plagerism on the part of James Cameron is

completely without merit

While the amount Ryder is seeking in compensation for his suit has not been disclosed Moore is seeking $2.5 billion dollars from Cameron. $1.5 billion in actual damages and more than $1 billion in punitives which would be almost the total box office gross for ‘Avatar’ which raked in $2.78 billion world wide.

The cases are interesting because had ‘Avatar’ not made so much money would Ryder or Moore be crying foul? If ‘Avatar’ had been a complete box office failure would either of these men be standing up to claim a failed movie as their ideas? It’s easy to target the king of the mountain but I doubt Cameron has anything to worry about, with earnings in the billions he has the money to hire the best lawyers money can buy. Chances are both Ryder and Moore will look to settle out of court for a nice payday but again with the legal expertise Cameron can afford I’d be surprised if they even got that.

So what is your opinion, do you think Cameron stole the ideas or do you think ‘Avatar’ is 100% his creation? Personally, I think if anyone should sue it’s Ferngully but that’s just me.

Source : The Wrap, TMZ

Fright Night: Peter Vincent Clip

The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Clip (it’s bootleged, sorry Twihards, but at least you get to see it)

Knights of Badassdom Comic-Con trailer

In Time Trailer

Rise of The Planet of the Apes Teaser

The Walking Dead Season 2 trailer

Doctor Who: The God Complex Comic Con Clip

True Blood Season 4: Comic-Con Trailer

Supernatural Season 7 Promo

Avatar the Last Airbender The Legend of Korra Trailer

Torchwood: Miracle Day Preview

Being Human (US) Season 2 Trailer

If the 3D puts you into the picture, the higher frame rate takes the glass out of the window

Hopefully this new take on Showscan won’t be a multi-decade spanning process like his 3D technology.

EXTENDED COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Announces Avatar Blu-ray and DVD Global Release Dates

Three-Disc Set of the Worldwide Theatrical and Home Entertainment Phenomenon Contains Even More of the AVATAR Experience with Over Eight Hours of Never-Before-Seen Material and In-Depth Exploration into the World of Pandora!

Director James Cameron is unlocking the secrets of Pandora and taking fans on a guided tour of his vision with the highly anticipated release of AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray and DVD releasing November 16th in North America and rolling out internationally from November 15th. These exclusive Extended Collector’s Editions come with iconic, collectible packaging to get fans to experience Pandora like never before. With three versions of the film, AVATAR fans will get an all-new extended cut of the film and hours of never-before seen material including over 45 minutes of amazing deleted scenes!

“I told our team — let’s do the ultimate box set of Avatar, with everything in it the fans could possibly want. There’s an extended length cut that’s sixteen minutes longer, plus documentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, artwork and over 45 minutes of deleted scenes. Everything worth putting into a special edition is in this set,” said James Cameron.

The three-disc AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and Theatrical Special Edition Re-Release DVD will both feature the original theatrical release, a special edition re-release, family audio track with all objectionable language removed and new collector’s extended cut with sixteen more minutes including an exclusive alternate opening Earth scene. Viewers will journey to the depths of Pandora with filmmakers during “Capturing Avatar“ an in-depth feature length documentary covering the 16 year filmmaker journey including all new interviews with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew exploring James Cameron’s unique vision for the film seen by more than 310 million people worldwide. The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time.

The AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will also have even more bonus material and interactive viewing. Through the unparalleled, interactive technology of Blu-ray, fans can dive further into the world of the Na’vi and experience the #1 international sensation from behind the scenes, with a “master class” on the production of the film. Leveraging the interactivity of Blu-ray, viewers can experience the full film in three stages of production: Performance Capture, Template (1990’s video game version) and Final as well as a composite of all stages in “Pandora’s Box”. This will be supported with interviews by Jim Cameron and the filmmakers and serve as a “master class” on the making of AVATAR.

Disc One

· Original Theatrical Version

· Special Edition Re-Release

· Collector’s Extended Cut

o 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening

Family Audio Track (All Objectionable Language Removed)

· Original Theatrical Release

· Special Edition Re-release

Disc Two

· “Capturing Avatar“ An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew

· Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes

· Production Materials

Disc Three

· Open “Pandora’s Box” and go deeper into the filmmaker process

· Interactive Scene Deconstruction: Explore the various stages of production through 3 different viewing modes

· Production Shorts: 17 featurettes covering performance capture, scoring the film, 3D fusion camera, stunts and much more

· Avatar Archives including original scriptment, 300 page screenplay and the extensive Pandorapedia

· BD-live Portal with additional bonus materials

Disc One

· Original Theatrical Version

· Special Edition Re-release

· Collector’s Extended Cut

o 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening

Disc Two

· Original Theatrical Version

· Special Edition Re-release

· Collector’s Extended Cut

Disc Three

· “Capturing Avatar“ An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew

· Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes

Enter the ULTIMATE AVATAR SWEEPSTAKES at www.AvatarSweeps.com for a chance to win $50,000 and daily limited edition instant-win prizes!

With the “Avatar” sequel and the possible “Martian Chronicles” project in the works, Fox is two steps in the cinematic space race, but why stop there? Fox 2000 is likely taking the reins on “Ion,” a script by Will Dunn. Channing Tatum is attached to star while Ridley and Tony Scott are set to produce the project, which is described as a “sci-fi romantic epic.”

Trouble with the locals on an alien planet. A sci-fi romance. Is there even a possibility that these won’t be in 3D? By the time Fox gets around to “Avatar 2,” I might be too bored to bother; at least I know the movie will be long enough for me to take a nap.

* The Lovely Bones

* Crazy Heart

* The Young Victoria

* Cloud 9

* Crimes of Fashion

* Cheech and Chong’s Hey Watch This

* 44 Inch Chest

* Deadly Impact

* Mammoth

* Homecoming

* My Fake Fiance

* Peacock

* Pressure Cooker

* Wake

* Summer Hours

* Tales from the Script

* Falcon Crest Season 1

* Heartland Season 1

* Hercules The Legendary Journeys Season 1

* Merlin Season 1

* Perry Mason Season 5 Volume 1

* Xena Warrior Princess: Season 1

* Beginning of the End

* Orlock The Vampire in 3D

* Bleach Vol. 27

* Drawn Together Movie: The Movie

* Handy Manny Big Race

* Transformers Season 3 and 4

As with “Avatar,” a sizeable chunk of the revenue is estimated to have come from 3D and IMAX exhibitions of the movie (final numbers and percentages will be available on Wednesday).

Here’s the Top Five, as reported by Box Office Mojo:

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, MARCH 5-7, 2010

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Alice in Wonderland (2010) (Buena Vista)
$116.3 million | 3,728 | $116.3 million | 1

2. Brooklyn’s Finest (Overture Films)
$13.5 million | 1,936 | $13.5 million | 1

3. Shutter Island (Paramount)
$13.3 million | 3,178 | $95.8 million | 3

4. Cop Out (Warner Bros.)
$9.1 million | 3,150 | $32.4 million | 2

5. Avatar (Fox)
$7.7 million | 2,163 | $720.2 million | 12

The Nominees For The 82nd Academy Awards (Photo by Greg Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.)

Head to Alt Film Guide’s coverage of the luncheon, including the great photos of each nominee group.

A bit of notable news coming out of the luncheon: nominees are being asked to prepare two speeches to speed along the ceremony. The first, shorter speech is supposed to be what winning the Oscar means to them; then, a longer, free-form speech can be written for the “thank-you” cam producers will have offstage, and all of the “thanks to my third-grade drama teacher, and my cat Sparkles” speeches will be made available online. (Of course, we know better. We know that you can’t script the best acceptance speech moments, and orchestra conductor Marc Shaiman will be chastised for playing people off too soon.)

You’ve still got a chance to purchase VIP tickets for the 2010 Dallas Big Gold Statue Watching Party, Sunday March 7 at the Lakewood Theater, and you can judge the winners’ speeches for yourself live.