Avatar is born: the world’s most expensive ever film is seen for the first time
Fifteen years in the making and featuring ground-breaking 3D technology, James Cameron's Avatar is said to be the most expensive film ever made.
Last night, after all the hype and expectation, the film, which according to some estimates cost up to £306 million, finally had its world premiere in London before the official opening next Friday.
Leading lady: Michelle Rodriguez, who stars in Avatar
Cameron, who won three Oscars for Titanic, joined Avatar's stars Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington on the blue carpet in Leicester Square.
The director said he was relieved at finally attending the premiere, but told the Standard he was frustrated at some of the mixed reviews the film had received so far: "I'd be a liar if I said I didn't read the stuff, because the situation is that you are seeing someone coherently express what they think about the movie.
A list: director James Cameron with stars Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana
"It can sometimes be a frustrating process, where you say, What, you got that from it? What are you smoking?'"
Although the film was first conceived in 1994, Cameron had to wait for technology to catch up with his vision of the story of a planet where the indigenous species harmonise with nature to fight back against invading humans. His first film since the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, it has been in production for more than four and a half years.
Producers Fox denied reports about the film's cost, saying expenditure did not exceed £237 million — less than the most recent Harry Potter and Spider-Man films.
But if last night's overwhelmingly favourable audience reaction is any measure, the film should have no problems recouping the outlay.
Richard Rudy, 34, a film-maker from east London, said: "It's the first time emotion and CGI were truly married together.
"I was really trying to remember I was watching computer animation but after 20 minutes you just have to give in to it because it's so good.
"It's a really simple, beautiful story but with James Cameron doing the action it's mind-blowing. The screen's too small to fit it in. It's just unbelievable."
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Laila Kricha, 33, and her son, Alano, nine, flew in from the Netherlands after winning tickets to the premiere. She said: "I loved it. It was just amazing. I was a bit shocked because it was so inspiring. It's sad and happy. The emotions go back and forth. I don't know how he does it. It's a very emotional experience."
Alano said: "The 3D is amazing, it's just like you're in the movie."
