Sam says Cameron IS writing the novel (the Avatar bible)

[X.,.Pandora.,.X]

The thing about the movie is...there is sooo much character development, what main characters are there left to kill off? Norm? Mo'at? Max? ...it will be interesting.

[Moco Loco]

There will for sure be new main characters as well.

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by X.,.Pandora.,.X

The thing about the movie is...there is sooo much character development, what main characters are there left to kill off? Norm? Mo'at? Max? ...it will be interesting.

...you do realise that 'killing characters' is not the only way to have a story? Indeed, starting to kill off lots of characters for no real reason or doing so suddenly may well be a mark that the author has run out of ideas or wants to create tension without a stronger plot - it is by no means necessary for a story.

Also, I don't see how any character that has a role in future events could die, especially not one who likely wouldn't even be on Pandora at that point. Expecting 'a character will die' seems to me like a lack of confidence in the plot on its own merits - yes, it's unlikely absolutely zero people will, but expecting a main character to just because seems hugely implausible.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Human No More

...you do realise that 'killing characters' is not the only way to have a story? Indeed, starting to kill off lots of characters for no real reason or doing so suddenly may well be a mark that the author has run out of ideas or wants to create tension without a stronger plot - it is by no means necessary for a story.

Shakespeare would like a word.

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Aaron

HNM: I'm sure he'll save Jake and Neytiri for last. Actually, I wouldn't mind the "100 years later..." kind of ending (by which point the main characters might be presumed to have died peacefully and naturally). Especially as it would provide an opportunity to see the scars caused by humanity beginning to heal, it could work well with the "environment" message.

But if Neytiri is ever actually "killed," then the people around me in the theater had better watch out, as I'm liable to spit out my drink in disgust and make my way very noisily to the nearest exit! (And to thereafter deny that the movie even exists, as I do the Star Wars prequel trilogy. ) I don't expect that to happen, though.

Well, if it's only 100 years, they'll still be around, based on average lifespans.
That might perhaps be a very ending of the 3rd film though, and not on the 2nd - and possibly show Earth itself healing.

Originally Posted by Clarke

Shakespeare would like a word.

Tragedies are a very specific genre - there is no expectation of main characters dying just because in other works - in some they do, in others not, but you don't sit down thinking 'he's going to die, and she is, and he is'

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by Human No More

Well, if it's only 100 years, they'll still be around, based on average lifespans.

Average lifespans? Then they'd still already be dead, since the average na'vi lifespan is 100 years iirc. Or just old and about to die anyway

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Moco Loco

Average lifespans? Then they'd still already be dead, since the average na'vi lifespan is 100 years iirc. Or just old and about to die anyway

It's equal to the average human of the time - so perhaps 100-120, maybe 130 or so, so it's plausible they might be around, just old.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Human No More

It's equal to the average human of the time - so perhaps 100-120, maybe 130 or so, so it's plausible they might be around, just old.

There's a thing: how "old" are Jake & co compared to how old they appear? I'd be really surprised if 5-and-a-bit is "mature" for a species that easily lives to 100.

Originally Posted by Human No More

Tragedies are a very specific genre - there is no expectation of main characters dying just because in other works - in some they do, in others not, but you don't sit down thinking 'he's going to die, and she is, and he is'

Yes, but they still made Shakespeare one of the most popular playwrights in English. It might not be the only way to have a story, but it's apparently an effective one.

[X.,.Pandora.,.X]

Originally Posted by Human No More

...you do realise that 'killing characters' is not the only way to have a story?

No, I know this very well and completely agree with you, but most if not all pasty JC movies have had 1 or more main characters die...

[Aaron]

HNM: I'm sure he'll save Jake and Neytiri for last. Actually, I wouldn't mind the "100 years later..." kind of ending (by which point the main characters might be presumed to have died peacefully and naturally). Especially as it would provide an opportunity to see the scars caused by humanity beginning to heal, it could work well with the "environment" message.

But if Neytiri is ever actually "killed," then the people around me in the theater had better watch out, as I'm liable to spit out my drink in disgust and make my way very noisily to the nearest exit! (And to thereafter deny that the movie even exists, as I do the Star Wars prequel trilogy. ) I don't expect that to happen, though.

[James of terra]

Exellent !!!! Ilokk forward to this book, and of course the movies

[Human No More]

There is none, but again, it's 143 years, so just an estimate of what seems reasonable - it could, of course, be more or less.

As for the avatars' age, well, Neytiri is 18 years, so I would guess the avatars are maybe a couple of years older, but not much - the younger side of their 20s in effective age, probably (although, that said, that probably counts for less against their whole lifespan due to lack of activity/injury during those years)

[Ashen Key]

Originally Posted by Human No More

There is none, but again, it's 143 years, so just an estimate of what seems reasonable - it could, of course, be more or less.

As for the avatars' age, well, Neytiri is 18 years, so I would guess the avatars are maybe a couple of years older, but not much - the younger side of their 20s in effective age, probably (although, that said, that probably counts for less against their whole lifespan due to lack of activity/injury during those years)

Actually, Neytiri is the EQUIVALENT of eighteen (and strictly speaking, 18 Earth years wouldn't equal 18 Pandora years). Pretty sure I read somewhere that the Na'vi mature quicker than humans, so I'd put her anywhere between being 10 and 15 in our years. Obviously, in terms of the Na'vi, she's a young adult.

Although the Avatars age raises a good point - are they given things to make them mature faster than normal?

[Human No More]

Yes - Jake's avatar is fully grown then they arrive and was clearly not when they left judging by conversation ("wow, they've got big" "yeah, they fully mature on the flight out") - so presumably, it is 6-7 years or so. I would guess that the lack of activity and injury combined with the nutrients in the tank would mean that the effective age counts for less against remaining lifespan than it would if it had actually been lived at normal speed.