10 Movies That Spent Decades In Development Hell (And Still Lived Up To The Hype)

In terms of massive-scale film productions, few directors do them better than James Cameron Avatar was first conceived in 1994 by the ambitious director, who wrote an eighty-page treatment for the project. Initially, the film was planned to release in 1999, following the gargantuan success of Titanic two years prior.

However, due to technology not having advanced far enough, the film was put on the backburner several times until production moved forward in the mid-2000s. In addition, the filmmakers saw fit to fully envelope themselves in the world of Pandora, devising a new language and pursuing new 3D shooting technologies.

After so many years in development, the film was subjected to an even bigger amount of hype, which mostly came down to the director's reputation. Audiences were treated to a phenomenally produced and dazzling setting that puts many modern sci-fi flicks to shame. From a presentational standpoint, Avatar created an unparalleled viewing experience.

While some audiences cry foul at its fairly standard plot nowadays, the fifteen years Avatar spent in development certainly hit the mark on the big screen. It was one of the most technically stunning productions ever produced and became the highest grossing film of all time for a full decade.