James Cameron Announces Cirque du Soleil AVATAR Touring Show

Today, Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil and James Cameron announced a new partnership to develop an arena-touring show inspired by the world of Cameron's history-making motion picture, AVATAR. The "live experience" will launch its global tour in late 2015.

The live production will feature the creative signature drive of Cirque du Soleil in association with Cameron's and Jon Landau's Lightstorm Entertainment. The show is expected to debut before the first of three upcoming Avatar sequels, for which Cameron is currently in pre-production. Twentieth Century Fox, which financed and distributed Avatar, will bring the new films to theaters around the world and is also a partner on the live show.

"Our relationship with Jim Cameron began with my visit at his 'Avatar' cutting room", explained Daniel Lamarre. "I am thrilled that almost 5 years later, Cirque du Soleil will be able to explore the very inspirational 'Avatar' realm for the live stage. This will mark our second creative project with Jim and I believe it will be as stimulating for both our creative forces."

"Over the years, I have discovered the extraordinary talents and imaginations of both the artists and the creative forces behind Cirque du Soleil," said James Cameron. "I know we share the common goal of bringing audiences to another level of entertainment experiences. I look forward to doing just that on this project."

"Audiences around the globe have embraced 'Avatar' and we believe they will want to experience this amazing world in an entirely new way," commented Kathy Franklin, President of Franchise Development at Lightstorm Entertainment.

"'Avatar' remains a phenomenon that continues to inspire people around the globe, and combining it with the live event ingenuity of Cirque de Soleil is a perfect synthesis of imagination and talent," said Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO, 20th Century Fox. "As Jim Cameron prepares to take us to even greater heights with three new 'Avatar' films, we're thrilled with the innovative experience he's developing in this groundbreaking agreement with Cirque de Soleil."

Creative forces from Cirque du Soleil and Lightstorm Entertainment will meet and put in place a dedicated creative team, which will be announced at a later date.