20th Century Fox Releases Avatar Script Online

In what may be a preemptive move against script leaks, or simply another way of generating word of mouth heading into awards season, 20^th Century Fox has released James Cameron’s script for Avatar. A great resource for film fans, SimplyScripts is reporting the Avatar script first appeared on Fox’s own site, but has since reached all corners of the Internet, largely because news about Avatar travels at warp speed these days. If you would like to read the actual script in all of its PDF goodness and without fear of legal action against you, click here.

Like many others, I found Avatar’s story to be a retread of traditional films and would hardly consider the dialogue a strong point. Nevertheless, I give Fox credit for releasing a completed, legitimate script to the public. This, along with its recent Writer’s Guild nomination, shows that Avatar is more than just visual effects. In fact, Avatar has garnered such momentum that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cameron nominated for Best Original Screenplay when the Oscar nominations come around, despite arguments questioning it’s merit and originality.

I also think this decision opens up the possibility of Avatar fan fiction in the future.  Might fans of the film look at this document and use it as a template to structure a story of their own? They sure do for Star Wars, Harry Potter, and a multitude of other established franchises. It will be interesting to follow the reception the Avatar script receives online, and what internet users decide to do with it.