Though he’s recently seemed to be focused on either breaking world records or making movies set in the Avatar universe, it appears there is room in James Cameron’s life for other films. He and his Lightstorm Entertainment company have just nabbed the rights to Taylor Stevens novel The Informationist, which Cameron intends to develop to produce and direct for Fox.
Stevens’ book focuses on Vanessa “Michael” Monroe, who is born in central Africa and grows up to become a teenage protégé of gunrunners and mercenaries. She then becomes an information dealer for wealthy clients, but her latest job finds her searching for a missing girl right back in her homeland.
So far two books featuring the character have been published, and it’s not tough to see why Cameron might be attracted to adapting it. But take it from the man himself: "Taylor Stevens’ Vanessa Michael Munroe is an intriguing and compelling heroine with an agile mind and a thirst for adventure,” he tells the Hollywood Reporter. “Equally fascinating for me is her emotional life and her unexpected love story."
Producing pal Jon Landau meanwhile, has more to say: “This was an opportunity to continue our relationship with Fox and Jim Gianopulos beyond the Avatar films.
“We were drawn to this book because of the terrific, compelling narrative and the character, who typifies the strong female protagonists that have inhabited Jim’s work. In this case, Vanessa Munroe is essentially a mix of Lisbeth Salander and Jason Bourne.”
So yes, despite his seeming commitment to all things Pandora, we may actually get to see something else from Cameron. Given the pace thus far on the Avatar sequels (and, lest we forget, Battle Angel Alita), we firmly expect the first Vanessa Munroe film in cinemas for 2022. Or 2023. Or maybe 3012, when the film will be promoted by Cameron’s head in a jar and a thieving robot will pull off a heist at the premiere.