Personal interest aside I'm expecting the sequel to be a mainstream success. James shot natively in 3D and he really believes in the vision he has. I do not think video game would be better medium because that will personal and interactive and Avatar and sequels are aimed at collective exploration. Avatar is mystical world.
The images they have been sharing are not from actual movies but crude concept art. Real thing will be so very real. You'll see.
Funny you say that considering Oppenheimer film will employ digital effects extensively.
Yes I’m sure a Christopher Nolan film will be so heavy on digital effects that the term “cartoon” will aptly describe it.
Although Mr. Nolan and Mr. Cameron take different paths to get there (practical-effects-obsessed vs digital-obsessed), they actually do have the common goal of being incredibly fussy about 'plausible realism', which most filmmakers are quick to disregard and automatically don't even give a second's thought to.
Cameron and Nolan are on another level of film making. Both are very talented directors. I am pretty sure both have lot of respect for each other. I know they have mentioned each other films in the past.
I recently learned that New Mexico has a film tax rebate of at least 25% and can be as high as 35%. New Mexico also has a couple of stages facilities too.
So let's say that this entire production takes place in New Mexico, they can get at least $25M back on it.
Interesting fact about J.RO from Wikipedia, immediately made me think of Interstellar:
With his students he also made important contributions to the modern theory of neutron stars and black holes, as well as to quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and the interactions of cosmic rays.