Turns out every sci-fi nerd on the planet had the idea for "Avatar" before James Cameron -- because the director is now being sued AGAIN for allegedly stealing the concept for the movie ... this time for more than $2 bil.
Bryant Moore -- a science fiction writer not-famous for his screenplays "Aquatica" and "Descendants: The Pollination" -- claims Cameron used the two screenplays as the basis for "Avatar."
In his lawsuit, Moore points out various similarities, including bioluminescent flora/plant life, unbreathable atmospheres, matriarch support of hero vs. heroine, spiritual connections to environment and reincarnation, appearance of mist in scene, sunlight to moonlight, crackling from gargantuan foliage, blue skin/green skin and battle scene on limbs/branches.
Moore is also going after 20th Century Fox and Cameron's production company. He wants more than $1.5 billion in actual damages and more than $1 bil in punitives.
"Avatar" raked in more than $2.78 billion worldwide.
James Cameron is an idea stealing thief ... who ripped the story for "Avatar" from a science fiction nerd who once worked with Cameron's production company ... this according to a new lawsuit.
Cameron is being sued by a guy named Eric Ryder -- who claims back in 1997, he came up with a movie called "KRZ 2068" -- an "environmentally themed 3-D epic about a corporation's colonization and plundering of a distant moon's lush and wondrous natural setting."
Ryder claims the movie also involved "self-contained robotic exterior suits which house a single human operator" ... just like in "Avatar."
According to the suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Ryder claims his reps pitched the movie idea to Cameron's production company back in 1999 ... and it was so well received, they had multiple serious meetings with high ranking execs about the development of the project.
But Ryder claims in 2002, the company officially shut down the project -- telling him, "No one would go see an environmentally themed feature length science fiction movie."
Today is THE DAY that doomed all of humanity ... because according to "Terminator 2," April 19, 2011 ... at 8:11 PM ... Skynet became self aware, starting a chain of events that led to a war between man and machine.
TMZ spoke to the man who CREATED the terminator, James Cameron ... and to commemorate the fact that we're all still alive, he gave us the following statement:
"Kyle Reese said in the first film that it was only 'one possible future.' Clearly, not the one we're in. Maybe Kyle, Sarah, John and the T-800 changed things enough to steer us away from that possible future."
Cameron adds, "Now instead of nuclear war and the machines taking over, we need to worry about global climate change. And the machines taking over. With everybody going through their lives bent over their Blackberries all day long, you could even argue the machines have already won."
We, for one, welcome our new mechanical overlords.
James Cameron ran into his worst enemy outside a Golden Globes after-party last night -- but instead of calling the guy a "f**king a**hole" again -- the award-winning director decided to make peace.
It all went down at the Beverly Hills Hotel where Cameron recognized the professional autograph seeker on his way out -- and decided to approach him.
Unlike their last run-in at LAX -- when Cameron denied his request for an autograph and called the guy an a**hole -- James extended his hand and engaged the "fan" in some friendly banter.
The two ultimately posed for a photo and parted on good terms ... or maybe just good press.
Just five days before James Cameron called a fan a "f**king a**hole" after refusing to sign an autograph, the "Avatar" director proclaimed that he'd "sign as many autographs as people will line up for."
During an interview with "Good Day L.A." -- which airs on the FOX station in L.A. -- on December 18, Cameron told Dorothy Lucy, "The only worse thing than to have to sign a lot of autographs is to have them not show up."
Apparently, Cameron forgot that logic Wednesday afternoon, when he rejected a fan request at LAX -- and then blasted the guy for invading his "personal space."
James Cameron -- the guy who directed "Avatar" -- directed a few choice words at an autograph seeking fan last night -- calling the guy a "f**king a**hole" during an argument over a signature.
It all went down at LAX -- when James walked past a man holding an "Avatar" poster, and refused to sign. The man went back to Cameron and asked again to which James replied, "I don't owe you a f**king signature ... just get out of my f**king personal space."
That's when the fan lost it and replied, "I'm an asshole because I ask someone I admire for their autograph that makes me an a**hole? I make $15-an-hour at work to go see your film and I'm an a**hole?"
Ultimately, James calmly walked away from the situation while the fan continued to yell at him.
A brief encounter with James Cameron, the biggest director on the planet, on the weekend "Avatar" comes out in theaters. A chance to get advice from the master. It did not go well ...
James Cameron's new film "Avatar" may have one of the biggest budgets of all time ... but it also has one big problem -- a group of Hindus are up in arms because they claim the title disgraces their religion.
The Universal Society of Hinduism and its president Rajan Zed are demanding Cameron put a disclaimer before and after the new 3-D flick saying it has diddly squat to do with the Hindu religion and its concepts ... and the title is just a coincidence.
The concept of "avatar" -- commonly known as incarnation -- is a central theme in Hinduism and prominent Hindus are worried the movie will completely botch it if Cameron doesn't bother to explain himself.
Ironically Cameron's film will reportedly be the biggest ever Hollywood release in India.
How would James Cameron feel if on opening night of his next big movie, someone smashed into a light and knocked out all the power to the theater?
Probably a lot like Western General Insurance Company does. The company is suing Cameron and one of his employees, Oscar Escalante. According to the suit, the employee was driving a car registered at Cameron's address when he smacked into a light pole -- knocking out power to their business for three whole days.
The company is suing the employee and Cameron for negligence , claiming the accident cost it nearly $125,000 while the power was out.
Last night's season premiere of 'Entourage' had, as usual, plenty of references to life in Tinseltown: Ari's menu choices at the Palm, James Cameron threatening re-shoots the day after a premiere, Jimmy Woods with a blonde bimbette half his age. TMZ takes a closer look to see how well the art of 'Entourage' imitates Hollywood life.
Before Justin Bieber went toe-to-toe with a photographer -- sparking a police investigation -- he trained with "Iron" Mike Tyson! Wondering how they ended up together? Well, we got Tyson on the phone ... and you won't believe his excuse for kicking it with Biebs. Plus,…
How would James Cameron feel if on opening night of his next big movie, someone smashed into a light and knocked out all the power to the theater?
