James Cameron to dive very deep into Pacific Ocean Mariana Trench for 'Avatar' sequel

[ISV Venture Star]

James Cameron to dive very deep into Pacific Ocean Mariana Trench for 'Avatar' sequel | News.com.au

HOLLYWOOD director James Cameron is preparing to dive to the deepest point of the oceans, it was revealed Sunday, as part of his research for a sequel to "Avatar," his 3D epic.

He has commissioned Australian engineers to build a deep sea submersible which can reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench - 36,000ft (10.9km) down in the western Pacific - after deciding to set the film in the turbulent waters of Pandora, an alien moon.

The vessel will be fitted with 3D cameras designed by Cameron so that he can take unprecedented footage of such depths and, if he wants to, fill it with digitally created monsters for Avatar 2.

The muddy, rocky Mariana Trench, which could swallow Mount Everest, has been visited by man only once.

In May 1960, a submersible called the Trieste took nearly five hours to descend to its floor. Its passengers, Jacques Piccard, a Swiss scientist, and Don Walsh, a US navy lieutenant, were able to spend 20 minutes at the bottom of the world.