James Cameron Heads For Mariana Trench to Film Avatar Sequel and Capture X Prize Simultaneously [Avatar]

Director James Cameron is building a sub which could plunge 36,000 feet beneath the skin of the ocean. If he can pull it off, he could win a $10 million X Prize and shoot footage for an ” Avatar” sequel simultaneously.

The Daily Mail first reported the story, saying the sub could be manufactured from composite materials and powered by electric motors. It’d must survive the immense pressures experienced at seven miles below the skin of the ocean, where Cameron hopes to shoot 3-D footage to incorporate into the second Avatar film.

The sub could be designed to explore the Challenger Deep, a 35,994-foot deep depression within the southern end of the Mariana Trench. It’s the deepest known spot within the oceans and has only been explored thrice – but since the first daring 1960 attempt inside the Trieste, nobody has tried a manned descent.

Attempting this type of feat would hardly be a first for the director, who has waded into deep waters several times on behalf of his films, including ” Titanic” and ” Aliens of the Deep.” The ” Avatar” sequel will reportedly be set inside the fictional oceans of Pandora.

Later this year, the X Prize Foundation is anticipated to formally announce a $10 million award to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Trieste’s dive. The winnings will go to the first privately funded sub to make two repeat manned descents to Challenger Deep.

Not content to make more money than anyone within the history of moving pictures, HMFIC apparently wants an X Prize, too.

[ Daily Mail via Slashdot ]

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This post is tagged: aliens of the deep, composite materials, director james cameron, science and technology, x prize foundation