What's Next for James Cameron?

There have been plenty of projects rumored on James Cameron’s post Avatar docket. His name has been linked to the long-rumored Battle Angel, the J. Michael Straczynski written Fantastic Planet remake, a True Lies follow-up (according to the oh-so-reliable word of Tom Arnold) and, of course, an Avatar sequel. Whether or not he takes another 10+ years off is the question.

Production Weekly (via their Twitter account) reports the filmmaker is developing a new “sci-fi action” screenplay at Fox. The hope is for it to be another hyped up “Event” movie. Shane Salerno (responsible for, of all things, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem) is working on the script. Just what this mystery movie is and Cameron’s participation being as director or producer remains to be seen.

Salerno is working on a number of screenplays with Fox at the moment. Some have suggested it could be Doomsday Protocol – a script being described as “Seven Samurai with aliens.” On the other hand, this could be something else entirely under everyone’s radar. Knowing Cameron’s prone for secrecy, I’d personally lean in that direction.

A lot of this is frankly a moot point until after Avatar opens. If it tanks or seriously under-performs, I can’t imagine Fox willing to hand Cameron another blank check and bank strictly on his name-value and past filmography.