Filmmaker James Cameron has talked about comparisons of the upcoming “Avatar” sequel’s visual effects work with that of the effects done at Marvel Studios, saying “it’s not even close”.
Cameron has in the past expressed issues with comic book films over the lack of emotional stakes for their characters. This week though, Cameron has discussed comparisons of motion capture and emotive faces on CG characters.
Speaking with ComicBook.com, Cameron was asked if any of the VFX breakthroughs coming out of Marvel movies have motivated him to raise the bar. He responded:
“Obviously the big comic book films have been driving the sheer volume of the industry… the rising tide of technique raises everybody together. It gives you higher quality artists, more tools and plug-ins and code [to use]. You’ve got more talented people writing code out there.
Our team at WETA Digital is constantly having new hires, and it’s coming out of that pool. So it improves everything. That said, WETA Effects, as it’s called now, is the best. Right? Industrial Light & Magic does great work, but when it comes to the kind of emotive facial stuff that we’re doing… Thanos? Come on. Give me a break. You saw [‘Avatar: The Way of Water’]. It’s not even close. It’s what WETA did.”
It is interesting to note that WETA Digital actually worked on Thanos for the most recent “Avengers” films.
Cameron reportedly started the interview with a disclaimer, making it very clear he has full respect for the comic book film genre: “I just want to say ahead of time that I’m not going to diss the Marvel or DC Universe.”
Cameron also recently spoke (via Slashfilm) about what he finds essential when making a sequel, and says it’s about creating something more complex:
“I think it’s important for a sequel to honor what the audience loved about the experience the first time. But also to get them off balance. Do things that they don’t expect. There are a lot of surprises in terms of where the story goes in this film that we’re not putting into the trailers and the TV spots. You have to experience it. It also goes a lot deeper in terms of the heart and the emotions… it was a much simpler story, and the characters were simpler the first time.”
“Avatar: The Way of Water” opens in theaters nationwide on December 16th.
