AVATAR planet based on a real life oil rig?
A small but interesting tidbit on James Cameron's AVATAR picture. Apparently the fictional planet and off-world colony of Pandora depicted in the sci-fi film will be based upon the real-life drilling rig of Noble Cycle-Bordeaux, situated in the Gulf of Mexico. Cameron, who is notorious for his unmatched research and preparation visited the rig along with his production company Lightstorm Entertainment to see the inner workings and specifically the living quarters and the mechanical systems present. They took over 700 photo's in all and was seen as a valuable exercise in the preparation of the film. The movie will mix the blend of live-action photography and new photorealistic production techniques but the most believable sets are based on real life environments.