Disney and filmmaker James Cameron announced plans Tuesday to bring the world of the Oscar-winning movie ‘Avatar’ to the entertainment giant’s theme parks. The first ‘Avatar’ land will open at the Walt Disney World in Florida, with construction due to begin by 2013, said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment. “James Cameron is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible,” said Disney president and chief executive Robert Iger. Cameron added: “I’m chomping at the bit to start work with Disney’s legendary Imagineers to bring our ‘Avatar’ universe to life. Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear and touch the world of ‘Avatar’ with an unprecedented sense of reality.” The deal gives Disney exclusive theme park rights to the ‘Avatar’ franchise, which it hopes to bring to other locations in due course.
