James Cameron: Planning an Underwater Film?

By Heather B on August 17th, 2010

James Cameron celebrated his birthday on Monday. But while most people choose to mark their special day with cake and candles, James was not having anything to do with a traditional birthday celebration. Instead, the famed director rang in his 56^th birthday 5,200 ft below sea level in Russia’s Lake Baikal.

Oh, to be rich and nerdy! Though honestly, I think I’d rather just have the cake.

Cameron reportedly trekked to the world’s deepest freshwater lake to test an upgraded 3D underwater camera he’s developing. The director is also working on a submarine in Australia that could take him to depths of 36,000 ft below the ocean’s surface. Crazy!

According to CBS News, James Cameron is planning to take on an underwater feature film before he begins work on a potential Avatar sequel. However, MTV is reporting that the director has hinted that Avatar’s sequel will involve the Oceans of Pandora, making his dive directly related to a second Avatar film.

To date, Cameron has just assured Avatar fans that the next film “won’t be in a rainforest.” That doesn’t give us much to go on, James!

Cameron’s underwater interests are more than just professional and recreational. The director met with officials earlier this summer to come up with possible fixes for the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.