Kathy Franklin to Head 'Avatar' Brand Development for Lightstorm

[Lon]

They're setting up. Kathy Franklin former, well known Disney executive to head 'Avatar' brand development for Lightstorm. The former Disney exec will serve as president of franchise development at James Cameron and Jon Landau's studio, working in cooperation with 20th Century Fox. More details are available over at THR. Hopefully they'll announce an outreach program in the next 90 days as part of their brand development.

Kathy Franklin to Head 'Avatar' Brand Development for Lightstorm - The Hollywood Reporter

[tm20]

no no no nooooo please don't commercialize Avatar any further, the current merchandise is adequete and IMO any more cash cowing will just destroy the integrity of Avatar

[Wameyn]

I wonder if she is the one who got the partnership between disney and avatar at animal kingdom?

[Lon]

Interestingly she comes on, and a week later, Disney has a word-wide exclusive agreement to build an Avatar theme park. I'm stoked. This is the best news to come about since the release of the Blu-ray and the studios move to Manhattan Beach.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i like the theme park idea and more cinema output,but please don't go all commercialization-crazy with cheap-plastic-chinesecrap toys and stuff like George Lucas/Star Wars. :/

[Wameyn]

As long as the movies continue to be top notch and I'm sure they will, and as long as we get that book I don't really care what they sell that says Avatar on it, doesn't bother me in the least. I'm sure there will be some stuff that is crappy but they will make some really awesome stuff too.

[Lon]

Sources on the inside say AVATAR 2 and 3 will be digitally crafted in Wellington, New Zealand. It sort of makes sense, since we heard the news that JC plans a personal move to New Zealand this spring, which is south east of Australia. It is expected that the live filming will still take place in Manhattan Beach, California, home of Lightstorm and MBS. Read more here. Avatar 2 And 3 Expected To Be Made In Wellington | Stuff.co.nz

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

interesting,and nice to hear something current on the Avatar sequels,as news seems somewhat scarce lately.

[Wameyn]

So it sounds like Mocap back in Cali and Weta in NZ again, that seemed to work last time quite nicely ...wonder if they will shoot some live action in NZ again?