James Cameron to dive into unseen underwater worlds in BBC Natural History collaboration

Virgin Radio

14 Dec 2022, 08:04

Hollywood titan James Cameron will join forces with the BBC’s Natural History Unit for a collaboration project exploring the unknown depths of the ocean. 

The telly team-up's project has taken four years to make, and used one of the most advanced exploration and research vessels in the world, according to iNews.

The six-part series, called OceanXplorers, will be on screens in 2023, with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, who produced The Blue Planet II, and Disney’s National Geographic network at the helm. 

OceanXplorers will see marine scientists use new technology to “unlock the secrets hiding in our oceans” during the maiden voyage of OceanX. 

Cameron’s filmmaking experience comes into play with footage recorded on film production facilities on the vessel, to help bring the depths of the ocean to life. 

The journey starts in the West Indies, and promises breathtaking sequences from the Dominican Republic, the Azores and the Arctic. 

OceanXplorers was first announced in 2019, and Titanic director Cameron revealed why the unpredictability of the seas made for epic storytelling. 

He told Variety at the time: “That’s part of the excitement – you go out there and you don’t know what’s going to happen. The ocean hasn’t read your script and there’s no Take 2. It’s not going to render down to some perfect shooting schedule.

“You are going to have adversity and psychological challenges. The crew will be disappointed, the explorers will be disappointed. 

“But for every moment there’s a setback or challenge, there’s going to be that moment of discovery. You want to take the audience on that rollercoaster journey, because that’s what exploration is all about.”

While we await OceanXplorers release, fans can experience a different kind of sea exploration in Avatar: The Way of Water, which is out on Friday 16th December. 

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press on - not the red carpet - but the blue carpet, for the world premiere earlier this month, the legendary filmmaker spoke about where the creative process is at with regard to future films. “Movie three is shot and we’re in post-production of that already,” he said. “I hope to be here again two years from now.”

And if you want more Avatar in your life for a good few years yet, then you’re in luck, as the director explained: “We’ve got a bit of movie four shot, the first third of the film, and that has to do with getting the kids done before they grow up too much. 

“Four is written and designed, and five is written and designed.”

Avatar: The Way of Water will hit UK cinemas on 16th December 2022.