'New look' to be used for Avatar sequels?

James Cameron has said that he will use new faster frame rate technology on his 'Avatar' sequels... but only if it works for Peter Jackson's new 'Hobbit' films.

Jackson unveiled his 48 frames-per-minute film speed on early footage of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', but some viewers have said that it makes the action on screen appear 'too real', like watching television rather than film.

[Related story: James Cameron announces first post-Avatar project]

Others, however, reckon that Jackson's use of the new Epic Red cameras has the potential to change the way we watch films at the cinema.

“If there is acceptance of 48, then that will pave the way for Avatar (sequels) to take advantage of it,” said Cameron, who was in Wellington, New Zealand, for the premiere of Jackson's new Tolkien adaptation.

“We charged out ahead on 3D with Avatar, now Peter's doing it with the Hobbit. It takes that kind of bold move to make change. I personally think it's fantastic, but it's different.

“I remember when CDs came in and there was a nostalgic feeling that the sound of a needle on vinyl was what music should sound like - suddenly you've got this pristine clarity and a lot of people were nay-saying it.”

The 'Titanic' director, who works closely with Jackson and his effects studio Weta, added that he plans to finish writing and start filming the awaited 'Avatar' sequels next year.

He told The Western Australian newspaper that he wants his scripts done by February, with filming beginning before the end of the year.

“I want to get these scripts nailed down, I don't want to be writing the movie in post production,” he said.

“We kind of did that on the first picture, I ended up cutting out a lot of scenes and so on and I don't want to do that again.”