Avatar sequel to film in Tweed

James Cameron has scouted rainforest outside Murwillumbah for an Avatar sequel. He is pictured here on the set of another film at Movie World on the Gold Coast.

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Do you support the decision to film Avatar 2 in Tweed?

This poll ended on 01 April 2010.

Yes

65%

No

26%

Undecided

8%

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THE lush rainforests outside of Murwillumbah have been secretly scouted by Avatar director James Cameron as a location for a sequel to the mega-blockbuster, it has been revealed.

Mr Cameron is expected to make the announcement today at a press conference in LA, about noon our time.

Filming is expected to begin on April 1 next year, in bushland to the north-west of Murwillumbah.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Avatar 2 location revealed

The press conference is also expected to confirm that Mount Warning has in part inspired the official title of the film, which will be Avatar II: Blue Mountain Love.

The Tweed Daily News reported on March 1 that Cameron was on the Gold Coast to promote the Australian film Sanctum, of which he was the executive producer.

It was on that tour Cameron allegedly made his secretive Tweed tour.

The location would also allow him to take advantage of the Gold Coast’s Movie World production facilities.

A source close to Cameron was heard bragging to a masseuse at a Tweed luxury resort about how much money filming would bring to the Tweed economy.

The source reportedly said film crews would have to cut down “a few football fields” worth of rainforest to make way for production, but it would be worth it for the international exposure.

And the source reckons the loss of a bit of Tweed rainforest is a small price to pay for the impetus the film has given to the green movement across the world.

The source, who is believed to be Cameron’s astrologist, went on to tell the masseuse, who wished to remain anonymous, that Tweed and New South Wales authorities would have been “mad” not to accept the lucrative offer.

It is also believed Australian Avatar superstar Sam Worthington pushed for the location, as it would allow him to stay at home during filming.

FILM FACTS

Avatar’s budget was $304 million AUD.

It was 15 years in the making, as Cameron waited for crucial technology.

It hit the $544 million AUD mark in 32 days.

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Avatar 2 location revealed